Australian cricketers Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja found themselves in a heated exchange with an English heckler during the Ashes Test at The Oval. In a video that has emerged from the match, the English fan can be heard repeatedly yelling boring at Labuschagne and Khawaja as they walked off the ground after the day’s play.
The heckler’s comment was a direct reference to the Australian team’s defensive and slow batting on Day 2 of the fifth Test, which drew criticism from both English and Australian cricket experts. Labuschagne and Khawaja, in particular, batted at a sluggish pace during Australia’s first innings, scoring nine runs from 82 deliveries and 47 runs from 157 balls, respectively.
Labuschagne confronted the fan, asking him what he had said. He then walked back towards the heckler, who had turned away, while Khawaja stepped in to defuse the situation. Khawaja, known for his calm demeanor, urged Labuschagne to calm down and swiftly received an apology from the Englishman. However, Labuschagne wasn’t as forgiving and expressed his frustration towards his teammates as Khawaja led him away.
Although not as explosive as previous incidents of crowd abuse during the Ashes, such as the incident at Lord’s where MCC members accused the Australians of cheating, this clash highlighted the tension between the players and the crowd. Despite being labeled as boring by the English crowd, the Australian team is now in a promising position to secure a historic win at The Oval.
Heading into the final day, Australia, chasing a target of 384 runs, stood at 0-135 before rain interrupted the game. With David Warner and Khawaja in the crease, Australia needs 249 more runs to win the Test and take the series 3-1. A draw will also be enough to secure a 2-1 series victory for Australia, especially if rain shortens the day’s play.
For Warner and Khawaja, who have both endured disappointing Ashes tours in the past, this match presents a chance for redemption. Warner, in particular, has faced scrutiny over his form during this series, as he has struggled to convert starts into big scores. However, his unbeaten 58, along with Khawaja’s composed innings of 69, has given Australia hope of securing a memorable victory.
The Australian team’s batting coach, Michael Di Venuto, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s position, emphasizing its importance for players who have previously failed to secure an Ashes series win in England.
If Australia manages to achieve the victory, it will be the second-highest successful run-chase in the team’s Test history and will bring an end to Warner’s career on a high note. The pair’s impressive start to the innings came after an emotional morning, as Stuart Broad was given a standing ovation following his retirement announcement.
With Australia in a strong position heading into the final day, cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the thrilling conclusion of the Ashes series.
