Australia got off to a good start on Day 2 of the ongoing Ashes Test, with opener David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne on the crease. After England skipper Ben Stokes declared for 393/8, the Pat Cummins-led side were 14/0 at stumps on Day 1, at Edgbaston, in Birmingham.
Warner began the second day with an unbeaten eight-run innings. However, after veteran England pacer Stuart Broad came off the ball, the Australian openers’ batting appeared to be getting quite difficult. Broad drew Australia’s first blood in the first ball of the 11th over, dismissing Warner for nine runs. The 36-year-old bowler delivered a good length outside off, and the Aussie moved forward to try to drive it through the covers, the ball was cut back onto his stumps by an inside edge.
Notably, Broad and Warner have a history that dates back to the 2019 Ashes, when Australia last played in England. In the 2019 series, Broad eliminated the southpaw eight times which was one of the most anticipated aspects of the ongoing battle. Meanwhile, Broad’s dismissal of the Australian in the ongoing game was his 15th in the longest format of the game.
While England were rejoicing over Warner’s departure, Broad struck again, this time dismissing number three batter Labuschagne with the second ball of the same over for a golden duck. The bowler bowled another full and the number one batter in Test cricket reached out to drive it away but edged it towards keeper-batter Jonny Bairstow, who dived full-stretch to his right and completed a stunning one-handed catch. As fans consider Warner to be Broad’s bunny, this triggered a fan reaction over social media.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne’s dismissal:
Stuart Broad sends back both David Warner and Marnus Labuschange in consecutive deliveries.
📸: Sony LIV#StuartBroad #DavidWarner pic.twitter.com/dekQs8N9Qa
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 17, 2023
Stuart Broad has now dismissed David Warner 15 times in Test cricket.#Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/1gwbenAkVC
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 17, 2023
David Warner – apart from 1 inning has barely scored for over a year. He is a liability in the field – can no longer throw so is planted at 1st slip where he drops more than he catches. & he wants to go out on his own terms. Drop him. #Ashes2023
— David Lamberton (@theonlyLambo) June 17, 2023
David Warner whenever he faces Stuart Broad pic.twitter.com/RjTinvBhIh
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) June 17, 2023
Marnus Labuschagne always seems to be a beast, but in the 9 Tests since his last century, he averages 35, has just 2 50s, and has dipped more than 12 runs form his career strikerate … this might be the slump England really need to take the Ashes.
— Thee Jamie Bell (@JamieBellNZ) June 17, 2023
Is Marnus Labuschagne a home track bully? Well, for the moment his stats suggest so. #Ashes2023 #ENGvAUS
— Javaid (@Javaid2023) June 17, 2023
England on Fire🔥 2 Balls 2 Wickets, Condition Overcast
Warner, Marnus Labuschagne Gone
The Saviour Steve Smith Comes to the Crease
— Dheeraj Singh (@Dheerajsingh_) June 17, 2023
Marnus Labuschagne goes first ball 🤯
Broad on a hat-trick! #EnglandCricket #Ashes
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 17, 2023
Just quietly, still only one hundred outside Australia for the ICC’s no1-ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) June 17, 2023