Australian cricket superstar Marnus Labuschagne asks for a CIGARETTE LIGHTER at the Sydney Test

Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne has turned heads after bizarrely asking his team-mates for a cigarette lighter while he was in the fold in Sydney.

The South African-born star, 28, is not a smoker – he wanted the lighter to burn some material off his helmet on the first day of the third test.

Fox Sports commentator Mark Howard joked that Labuschagne “didn’t want an arrow” down the middle – it was just about some ongoing repairs.

Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne caused a stir after asking his teammates for a lighter during the third Test at the Knick in Sydney

The South African-born star, 28, isn’t a smoker – he wanted the lighter to burn some material off his helmet

Labuschagne later lit up social media after being left undefeated by third referee Richard Kettleborough in a highly controversial decision.

Just before that, onfield umpire Paul Reiffel sent the call up with a gentle signal – and much to the Proteas’ dismay, the 2022 ICC Batsman of the Year was given a reprieve.

South African spinner Simon Harmer was adamant he had kept the low catch, but after a series of replays Labuschagne was awarded the doubt.

Moments later, Marnus Labuschagne was handed out – only to be given a reprieve from the third referee (Proteas players pictured sharing their thoughts).

And seconds before the decision went in his favour, a confident – and many would say more optimistic – Labuschagne asked for a center blunt and insisted the ball not be carried.

The decision will also further fuel the constant chatter. Labuschagne is the ‘happiest man’ in world cricket and many cricket fans feel the eccentric star often gets the grater of the green.

“With the amount of slow-motion footage you see, you see his fingers pressing and splitting,” Labuschagne said after the game ended. “Technically, part of the ball is touching the grass regardless of whether his fingers are under it or not.

“It’s just difficult because back then, or even before we had that technology and camerawork, they had to turn you away.”

“I feel like the South Africans can be quite offended here,” former Test batsman Michael Hussey said at Fox Cricket as he analyzed the result.

The Proteas players were furious at the decision, led by pressured skipper Dean Elgar (second from left).

“The soft signal was off. I felt like the ball landed on my fingers and he (Harmer) was able to pick it up.

“Its fingers are down, it hits the tops of the fingers, pushes it back.

“I don’t think there is conclusive evidence to overturn that decision.”

Former South African grandmaster Shaun Pollock said his compatriots “spit out” the result as they tried to avoid a 3-0 series glossing over.

Shortly after the Labuschagne ordeal, play at the SCG was interrupted due to poor light.

Australia are well placed at 1/138 from 43 overs, with Labuschagne unbeaten on 73 while Usman Khawaja is not absent on 51.