An apparently innocuous “beer snake” became the subject of an angry altercation between Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne and Indian bowler Mohammed Siraj during the recent 2nd BGT Test match between Australia and India in Adelaide.
The incident unfolded during the third session of Day 1 when Labuschagne claimed he was distracted by a person walking with a beer snake beside the side screen. Labuschagne backed out just when Siraj was in his delivery stride and was about to bowl. A beer snake, a popular drinking tradition among cricket fans, involves stacking empty beer cups to create a long, snake-like structure.
IND vs AUS: “Beer snake” worth Rs 2.3 lakh?
The creator of this particular beer snake, 21-year-old Lachie Burtt, revealed that the spectacle was quite an investment. Constructed with 250 empty cups and costing approximately $2,750, the beer snake was made with Hahn beer at $11 per drink. Burtt and seven of his friends were responsible for this elaborate creation that momentarily halted play.
As Siraj prepared to bowl, Labuschagne moved away from the stumps, citing the distraction caused by the beer snake. Visibly irritated, Siraj responded by hurling the ball towards the Labuschagne and exchanging heated words. Due to this, Siraj could’ve been fined as well. Well, this is a different matter; he was eventually fined, but for a separate reason.
Burtt, the 21-year-old electrician behind the beer snake, had already issued an apology for briefly halting play, an apology that seemed to be taken in stride by Labuschagne.
