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Marnus Labuschagne's stunning juggling catch has provided Australia with an early breakthrough on day one of the second Test against Pakistan.
Marnus Labuschagne's teammates reckon he's so cricket-obsessed he sleeps with his bat, and the rookie's joy was obvious after he took a spectacular catch to spark Australia early in the second Test against Pakistan.
Labuschagne reinforced his ability under the lid with a stunning reflex grab to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez for four off the bowling of Mitchell Starc in the third over on day one in Abu Dhabi.
Hafeez's shot was hit hard to short leg, thundering into Labuschagne's thigh and bouncing off his knee before the adopted Queenslander managed to get his hands on the ball in just the third over of the match.
The wicket was set up superbly by Starc with a fearsome bouncer earlier in the over which reared into Hafeez's shoulder and left the Pakistan opener calling for the trainer.
Batting at No.6 on debut during the drawn first Test in Dubai, Labuschagne struggled for runs but impressed in the field and also took wickets with his part-time legspin.
The 24-year-old, who spoke Afrikaans in his native South Africa and did not learn English until he arrived in Australia aged 10, has been nicknamed 'Sangos' by his teammates on the basis he could live off cricket-ball sandwiches.
"He's Sangos for the sheer amount of cricket he likes to consume, whether it be at training hitting balls, or shadow-batting in the mirror in his hotel room," Starc said prior to the first Test.
"He loves the game of cricket and it's a great energy amongst the group for someone like him to come in to show us older guys that as well.
"He knows his game thoroughly ... I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do on the world stage."