Ashes | Twitter reacts as Labuschagne miracle leaves Pope's prayers unanswered in City of Churches

Gantavya Adukia

ByGantavya Adukia,SportsCafe Editor

17

The Ashes can end a career, just as easily as it can make one. Ollie Pope unfortunately found himself leaning towards the former with Adelaide potentially being his last opportunity to turn around a rut, but Marnus Labuschagne ensured it was not going to be the case with one of the greatest catches.

Marnus Labuschagne wheels away in celebration with an ecstatic Pat Cummins after stunner to dispatch Ollie Pope on Day 4 of the Adelaide Ashes Test

Australia found themselves on the brink of retaining the Ashes on Day 4 of the third Test at Adelaide Oval after setting England 435 to chase and striking within the two overs of play before Lunch. In Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, the tourists were thus left with two men at the crease horridly out of form with the latter fighting for his place after being removed from vice-captaincy at the start of the series, and a generational talent in Jacob Bethell breathing down his neck. A sub-20 average against the Kangaroos across three Ashes series did not have him in good stead either but Pope seemed to put it all behind as he got a decent start and made his way to 17 runs. However, just as he was beginning to settle in, a near-divine intervention ensured his record stays abysmal for the time being.

On the fourth ball of the 10th over, Pat Cummins hammered down in the channel once again with unerring consistency and Pope made the fatal mistake of defending at it with hard hands. The Kookaburra took a thick outside edge off Pope's willow and flew towards slip, dying quickly as it approached the packed cordon with little hopes of carrying to any of the players. Marnus Labuschagne though was not willing to accept such a fate as he dived, nay practically threw himself to the ground at full stretch to his left with his hand extended hoping against hope. Yet, in a moment no less magical than water turning into wine, the red cherry stuck in the Aussie's palm as Labuschagne completed the catch of a lifetime. Unsurprisingly, he celebrated like it by pulling himself up and wheeling away while dodging his teammates like an NFL runner, before eventually being mobbed by the motley crew aroun him.

Pope could not believe his luck as he walked off potentially for the last time in a Test Down Under, and Twitterati was all over the story.

Pure Reflexes

Instant Magic

Unbilievable!

True!

Fielding Masterclass

Clutch Catch

Superb catch!

Whata grab!

Incredible!

Superb one!

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