Image: Lachie Burtt apologized to Marnus Labuschagne after disrupting his batting with a beer snake / © SEN
In the second Test match between India and Australia, Australian fan Lachie Burtt created a large “beer snake” using 250 cups, which caused a distraction to Marnus Labuschagne during his preparation to face Mohammed Siraj. This disruption led to a brief altercation between Labuschagne and Siraj when Labuschagne pulled out facing a delivery.
Burtt later apologized for his actions, acknowledging that he didn’t consider the consequences at the time. He explained that the beer snake cost him 2,750 Australian dollars (approx. INR 2.33 lakh) and involved 67 people, each purchasing four drinks. The fan quoted:
I didn’t really have time to stop and think what I was doing right now and what the effects were going to be because of it. I did feel a bit silly, it wasn’t the right thing … sorry Marnus. It’s probably not the right thing to do, but no one got hurt. I didn’t jump the fence or anything. It was one ball, and Marnus (Labuschagne) got a four after that, so no worries. In my head at that time, I just wanted to get away from the guard, so I saw the space and hopped over the tiny white rope.
Despite the incident, Labuschagne went on to score 64 runs in the match, contributing to Australia’s 10-wicket victory over India, leveling the series at 1-1. The incident occurred under the lights in Adelaide on Day 1. The third Test will be held in Brisbane, starting December 14, 2024.