The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia at Adelaide Oval witnessed a tense moment between Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne. While the over was on number 25, Labuschagne was pulled out from his stance just when Siraj was releasing the ball. He was pointing to the sightscreen, seeming distracted by the beer snake carried by a spectator behind the same.
Reacting to this interruption, Siraj hurled the ball angrily in the direction of the striker’s end, though not directly towards Labuschagne. The happening caused a brief commotion in the field but was soon dispelled as play resumed. Such an outburst of anger pointed to Siraj’s competitive fire but at the same time brought into focus the futility of keeping one’s focus under such distractions in the high-pressure games.
Also read, India vs Australia 2nd Test Match Prediction, Pitch Report, Playing XI
This was part of a thrilling opening day where India, electing to bat, could muster only 180 as Mitchell Starc performed splendidly, taking 6 wickets for 48 runs. Australia reached stumps at 77/1 and asserted early supremacy in the pink-ball Test.
Beer snakes-a unique Australian cricket crowd phenomenon-were at the center of this issue. Fan activities like these are usually light-hearted but sometimes get in the way of the players, as has happened here. The incident illustrated the thin line between crowd exuberance and its interference in the game.