Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Hilarious reactions to Marnus Labuschagne’s 9 (82) at The Oval | Marnus Labuschagne struggles for 82 balls

Marnus Labuschagne, fresh off an excellent century in the second innings at Manchester, worked the hardest he’s ever worked for nine runs. It looked the hardest nine out of his 3,776 Test runs to date, toiling away for 82 deliveries in an attempt to tire England’s pace bowlers out on the second morning at The Oval.

Australia’s number three left more than 40% of the deliveries he faced, including a number that went over his stumps. He and Usman Khawaja, who recently became the first Australian to face 1,000+ balls in a five-match Ashes series in England since 1938, tried their best to repel the England attack in helpful conditions.

However, Labuschagne’s inability to put away some scoring opportunities – particularly half-vollies – came back to hurt him.

One ball he couldn’t leave was snapped up magnificently by Joe Root. What made Root’s catch so special was his late reaction given he may have originally thought wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow would go for it, as it was to his left.

Root kept his eyes on the ball and took argubaly the best catch of the series.

Some of the best reactions to Marnus Labuschagne’s 9 off 82 balls at The Oval

In the era of T20 and Bazball, an innings of 9 (82) when not batting for a draw is always going to come under the spotlight. Here are some of the reactions to Labuschagne’s hard-fought slog.