'Would have told Siraj to get out...' Matthew Hayden upset with Labuschagne over Gabba dismissal

Former Australia batter Matthew Hayden has slammed Marnus Labuschagne for succumbing to a psychological ploy by Mohammed Siraj during Day 2 of the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. 

Labuschagne, who had been battling to steady Australia's innings, was dismissed for 12 off 55 balls shortly after an exchange with Siraj, which included the Indian pacer flipping the bails at the striker's end.

The Bail-Switching Incident

The incident occurred after Jasprit Bumrah's fiery spell had reduced Australia to 38 for two in the 19th over of their first innings. Labuschagne and Steve Smith then began to rebuild, taking Australia to 69 for two by the 32nd over.

When Siraj bowled the next over, he engaged Labuschagne in a verbal exchange before theatrically flipping the bails at the striker's end -- a move reminiscent of Stuart Broad's antics during the 2023 Ashes. Labuschagne retaliated by flipping the bails back, much to the amusement of the Gabba crowd.

Though Siraj didn’t dismiss Labuschagne directly, the mind games seemed to have unsettled the Australian batter. 

In the following over, medium-pacer Nitish Reddy bowled a fuller delivery outside off, which Labuschagne chased, only to edge it to Virat Kohli at second slip.

Hayden unimpressed with Labuschagne

On commentary, Matthew Hayden expressed frustration over Labuschagne's reaction to Siraj's antics, criticizing him for losing focus during a crucial moment in the game.

"He saw 55 deliveries, has had no go forward whatsoever. Even that little exchange, if it was me at the crease and a bowler does that. I am not caring less. I am not even looking at the bowler. I am not acknowledging what he is doing one bit. He is nowhere near my space. In fact, I probably would have told him to get out of my space before he even got to the bails," he added.

Labuschagne's dismissal gave India their third breakthrough in the innings after Bumrah had removed both Australian openers early in the day. Persistent rain had limited play to just 13.2 overs on Day 1, leaving both teams eager to make the most of the conditions in Brisbane.

Australia turn around fortunes

Despite the early setbacks, Australia managed to cross the 150-run mark shortly after Lunch, thanks to a gritty half-century by Travis Head. Head, who had scored a century in Adelaide during Australia’s emphatic win in the second Test, continued his fine form to provide some stability to the innings.

Head's scintillating ninth Test century, off just 115 balls with 13 boundaries, showcased his remarkable form against India. This latest ton adds to his growing legacy, which includes a century in the World Test Championship final at Lord's, a match-winning 140 in Adelaide during the second Test last week, and a crucial century in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in India.

Steve Smith, on the other hand, overcame a lean patch spanning 12 months without a century. Known as one of Australia’s finest batters of the modern era, Smith showed signs of revival after enduring a prolonged slump since his last hundred during the Ashes in mid-2023.

Smith's innings began cautiously, with his first fifty coming off 128 balls in a patient 210-minute effort. However, post-tea, Australia's premier batter found his rhythm, capitalizing on India’s tiring bowling attack. 

The much-anticipated breakthrough came just after India took the second new ball in an attempt to disrupt Australia's momentum. Moving from 95 to 99 with an exquisite straight drive for his 11th boundary, Smith flicked the very next ball from Akash Deep to fine leg, bringing up his 33rd Test century in 185 balls. This marked Smith’s first century in 26 innings.