Australia has tightened its grip on the third Test against New Zealand which is underway in Sydney, as they restricted the Kiwis to just 251 in their first innings, and in-process got a total lead of 243 runs at the end of day three. This despite a maiden Test fifty by Glenn Phillips on his debut and significant contributions from skipper Latham (49), Blundell and Raval.

Earlier, Australia had scored 454 batting first on a placid SCG wicket, all thanks to run-machine Marnus Labuschagne’s majestic 215 and Steve Smith’s 63, with contributions coming from David Warner, Wade and skipper Tim Paine as well. Nathan Lyon picked 5/68 in New Zealand innings, as per his reputation of being the best Australian spinner since Shane Warne. However, day three was witness to a hilarious gaffe from commentator Mark Waugh, who let slip an expletive which became the talk of the day.

“Just like a c**k,” Mark Waugh said while explaining the back lift

During day three’s play, the Fox Cricket commentary box was having Mark Waugh, Kerry O’Keefe and Ian Smith on duty and the trio was discussing and analyzing Labuschagne’s batting stance and style. O’Keefe was discussing the batsman’s unusual backswing, with the bottom of the bat facing the sky. Mark Waugh in his eagerness to put his words in, made a gaffe that sent Smith and O’Keefe in a fit of laughter.

“Just like a c**k,” Waugh said, as he tried to explain how Labuschagne’s wrists cocked during his downswing with the bat to provide him the power to hit his shots. The R-rated word used by the great Australian batsman was enough to disrupt the proceeding for a while, while his partners in the comm box tried to gather themselves. “I don’t know, I got nervous halfway through,” Waugh further said while trying to set things right.

Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne’s dream run in Tests continue in 2020 as well, after scoring more than 1100 runs in 2019, he started off this year in style with his double century containing 19 fours and 1 six. He has already made scores of 143, 50, 63 and 19 in the previous two Tests. Against Pakistan as well, the Australia no.3 batsman had hit 185 and 162 in the two Tests, which his side won with ease.