The Ashes third Test day four recap: How Marnus highlighted the biggest Ashes gulf of all

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It took all of 0.64 seconds for Marnus Labuschagne to provide yet another definitive point of Australian dominance in this Ashes series.

Not least because one of the best catches of Labuschagne’s career almost certainly leads to the stocks of Ollie Pope (the besieged No.3 offering hard hands and the accompanying edge), surely plummeting him out of the English XI.

Pope has endured a wretched tour since looking reasonably solid in the first innings in Perth. Most of his woes have been self-inflicted.

Ben Duckett (97 runs at 16) has lost his wicket to a couple of five-star deliveries. In Brisbane, his contribution included a couple of clanging dropped catches too – with the gulf in fielding between the two sides giving Australia ample chance to retain the Ashes inside just 11 days of play.

Steve Waugh said before a ball was bowled that the best fielding side would prevail.

Labuschagne’s latest classic catch adds to a summer full of them. And despite missing out with the bat (with scores of just 19 and 13), the noisiest man in world cricket has been omnipresent in the field.

Don’t tell him, keeper Alex Carey warned. But Labuschagne’s safe hands, pinpoint arm, endless energy and excellence both in close and in the deep build a compelling case for him being one of the best fielders in the world.

Pat Cummins celebrates as Marnus Labuschagne reels in a classic catch just out of camera.

His stunning left-hand nab from Pope’s outside edge turned the only chance of day four’s afternoon session – probably a 20 per cent chance at best – into an Australia wicket and apt reward for skipper Pat Cummins’ relentless opening spell.

None of the English top order who have routinely let their side down can claim that sort of influence.

Harry Brook batted well for 45 and 30 this Test. But even without his haunting day-four reprisal of Mike Gatting’s infamous reverse-sweep in the 1987 World Cup final, Brook was well in the red after dropping Usman Khawaja on five in the first dig, and Travis Head on 99 in the second. Khawaja helped himself to another 77 runs, and Head a further 71.

England’s five missed chances on day two alone in Brisbane (with Brydon Carse, Duckett and Jamie Smith’s shelled catches genuine butcher jobs) allowed Australia an extra 145 runs.

Zak Crawley (a reflex grab from Head in Adelaide) and Will Jacks (a blinder to remove Steve Smith under lights) have matched Australia in the screamer stakes. But the home side is otherwise streets ahead.

Michael Neser’s pair of catches in his bowling follow-through. Mitchell Starc’s stunning caught and bowled in Perth. Carey racing back for a ball over his head and Labuschagne again, flying around the Gabba outfield for a well-struck Jofra Archer pull shot.

And of course, Smith’s low, left-handed grab from Jacks, almost identical to Labuschagne’s repeat effort in Adelaide.

When he took off like a lunatic from second slip, he was looking for Smith, given the likeness of the two catches, before realising he was still sidelined.

Labuschagne hasn’t missed a beat standing in for the most prolific slipper in Australian Test history, nor since returning to the national side.

“I think for Marnus as well, when he had his time out of the team, you can really notice how much energy he does bring to this group,” Carey said.

“And he was fantastic when he was on the sidelines, and he also brings so much when he does get onto the field and plays for Australia. He’s a highly skilled player, but he brings a lot more than just the skill.”

At the first possible opportunity on Saturday afternoon, Mark Waugh – still the best-ever slips fielder in a baggy green – strolled to the middle in suit and sunnies to break down Labuschagne’s effort.

Fox Cricket pegged Labuschagne as having 0.64 seconds to react to Pope’s edge. Smith had 0.61 for Jacks’.

“Marnus, I reckon he’s gone up one, two metres,” Waugh explained during the tea break, as he strode forward from Carey’s starting point to Cummins.

“Immediately, there’s less time to react. But what you’re going to make sure is that the ball’s going to carry. No point taking a catch and the slips on the half-volley.

“So Marnus has taken the ball by the horns. He’s gone up two metres, and that’s been the difference.”

England found belated fight on day four in Adelaide. But Australia’s fielding remains just one of so many areas where the tourists are well and truly covered.

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