On the second day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, Marnus Labuschagne produced a gravity-defying spectacle, diving full length to his right at deep backward square leg to latch onto a top-edge pull from Jofra Archer – leaving England all out for 334 in their first innings and Joe Root remaining not out on 138. Archer was out for 38 after just three overs to a short ball from debutant Brendan Doggett, which included two fours and two sixes – putting England’s total in danger of going over 350, but Labuschagne’s athleticism turned the match, electrifying the home crowd and going viral online.
The 28-year-old sprinted through mid-wicket, jumped horizontally with his right arm extended, and caught the pink ball inches above the pitch in what was described as “NFL worthy” and “one of the greatest catches of all time.” Fans flooded the X with memes – “Is it a plane? It’s Supermarnus!” – while Cricket Australia added fuel to the fire by comparing it to Glenn McGrath’s iconic diving catch of Michael Vaughan in Adelaide in 2002, leading to the poll: “Best outfield catch of the Ashes?” Labuschagne received the lead in the early votes, praised for her distance (20 meter dash) and timing in the lights.
The brilliant catch came at a crucial juncture for Australia, which was struggling with England’s comeback after the defeat in Perth. Resuming at 325/9, the visitors added nine more runs and were all out, their highest ever first innings score in the Day-Night Ashes. Root’s long-time century at the Gabba – his 40th Test century and his first Down Under after 30 failed innings (average 33.33) – saved the team’s modesty from 2/5, where he along with Archer stitched a quickfire 70-run partnership for the last wicket. Zak Crawley (76) and Harry Brook (31) showed some good shots, but Mitchell Starc’s brilliant bowling—6/75 in 20 overs—overshadowed everything, making him the all-time leading left-arm pacer in Test cricket, surpassing Wasim Akram (412 wickets).
In reply, Australia’s bold decision to change the opening batsmen paid off: Jake Weatherald (72 from 78 balls) and Labuschagne (65 from 92 balls) put on a 128-run partnership to reach 147/2 at stumps—still 187 runs behind—before Archer (2/45) and Ben Stokes finally took the wickets. Travis Head (33) was out after being caught, but Wetherald’s brilliant play—his first Test half-century—set the intention, with only Archer’s yorker stopping him from scoring a century. Steve Smith (14*) and Cameron Green could prove to be big players at the start of the third day, and England will be looking to take advantage of the evening swing.
Labuschagne’s header not only broke resistance but also showed Australia’s comeback spirit—will it give them a 2-0 win? The Ashes series is still tied.
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