Stuart Broad has had the last laugh over Marnus Labuschagne after a cheeky bail switch at The Oval.
Labuschagne is well known for his superstition with bails.
During his early career, he was bowled after the ball tipped a bail that was overhanging the stump.
Since, he has always aligned the bails with the stumps.
During the opening session of the second day at The Oval, Broad walked up to the stumps and switched the bails over, eliciting a laugh from Labuschagne.
However, the grin quickly left the Australian’s face as he nicked the very next ball, with Joe Root pulling off a stunning one-handed grab at the first slip.
The Aussie No.3’s partner Usman Khawaja hadn’t been pleased with Broad touching the bails, and the English quickly patted him on the back as Labuschagne departed, complaining about the failing light.
There were light-hearted barbs in the commentary about the spirit of cricket, but there is no doubt England’s mind games paid off.
Australia found themselves in a hole after scoring just 21 runs in the first hour of day two, and Labuschagne’s fall started an Aussie implosion in the second session.
The visitors lost 5-71 in the middle session after a series of soft dismissals.