Ashes | Twitter in splits as awed Labuschagne forces his jaw shut after Carse ripper leaves him in disarray

Perth on Saturday produced more of the same from him as the Queenslander was quick to acknowledge an unplayable ripper by Brydon Carse.Set 205 to chase on Day 2 of the first Ashes Test, Australia took the gambit of pushing Travis Head up to open alongsie debutant Jake Weatherald after recurring back spasms rendered Usman Khawaja unavailable to bat. The move worked wonders as the couterattacking South Australian struck a rapid 36-ball half-century featuring three boundaries and as many maximums to put the pressure back on the visitors. Weatherald reciprocated with three fours of his own at the other end as they stitched togetjher a 75-run opening stand before Brydon Carse finally struck to bring Marnus Labuschagne to the crease. What followed was pure entertainment.

After a scratchy 41-ball stay for just nine runs in the first dig, Labuschagne aimed to get stuck in again while Head ‘Bazballed’ at the other end. However, it took just two Carse balls for the veteran to realize the sort of challenge he was getting himself into. The right-arm quick steamed in from voer the stumps and delivered the ball slightly back of a length angling into the channel, thus promting a backfoot defence from his counterpart. But after pitching, the Kookaburra seamed away prodigiously to miss the willow by miles, so much so that even Jamie Smith was wearing a cheeky smile while collecting the ball. Labuschagne, not one to hold back his instincts, immediately dropped his jaw in awe before shutting it back close with his hand, while mouthing ‘wowza’ and muttering to himself about what an exceptional delivery it was.