Marnus Labuschagne falls asleep in front of David Warner’s wicket during the World Test Championship final

Marnus Labuschagne can hardly be blamed for wanting to quickly close his eyes after a long stay in the sun in the oval.

But David Warner’s early dismissal in the second inning of Australia’s Test World Cup final against India forced the No. 3 to wake from his slumber and he didn’t look pleased.

Australia, who had defeated India by 296 points on the third day of the flagship test, held a strong lead of 173 points as Warner and Usman Khawaja made their way to the goal circle in London.

Veteran opener Warner didn’t last long, however, slotting through a pass from Mohammed Siraj to the keeper, who managed just one through.

Labuschagne, dozing with his feet up on the balcony, was woken by the noisy Indian crowd and hastily grabbed his gloves, bat and helmet as he realized what was in front of him.

Marnus Labuschagne was caught napping in Australia’s second inning

But David Warner’s sacking meant he had to get up early to get to the goal area

The world’s top Test batsman hit just 26 runs in the first innings and is hoping to help put his team out of sight this time with a commanding shot.

Australia overcame a morning of sloppiness, beating India by 296 points and taking the first inning lead by 173 runs in the World Test Championship final.

After missing three chances in the first session and Pat Cummins being denied a second wicket by a no-ball before lunch on day three, Australia took a more methodical approach.

Blamed for screwing up the easiest catch of the day in the morning, Cameron Green started when he pinned a screamer and knocked out Ajinkya Rahane for 89 after the break.

Rahane was India’s luckiest batsman, surviving a LBW on the 17th Thursday night when Cummins went too far.

He was also crushed by David Warner after a miscommunication with wicketkeeper Alex Carey on Friday morning while the Indian star took him to Australia.

He threw the ball away regularly for offside positions, particularly popular against Green and Nathan Lyon in a 119-run streak with Shardul Thakur.

But Rahane’s luck ran out after lunch when Green reached out and grabbed a Cummins ball that had flew off Rahane’s bat and appeared to go well past him in the ravine.

Cummins then cleared Umesh Yadav when he finished him with five bowling throws to 3:83 before Green (2:44) defeated Shardul Thakur 51-1.

Mitchell Starc finished the innings 2-71 after trailing Mohammed Shami.

Scott Boland (2-47) was again close to Australia’s best with the ball, taking the wicket of KS Bharat (five) in Friday’s first over to further bolster his Ashes claims.

Labuschagne will be hoping to improve on the modest 26 runs he hit in his first innings

The Victorian hit the ball back for a good length to take Bharat’s ball off the stump, the kind of ball Steve Smith called the most dangerous in England on Thursday due to Boland’s smaller stature.

Australia expect Josh Hazlewood to return for the first Test at Edgbaston next Friday.

In all eight of Boland’s Tests, one of the frontline fast players was unavailable, but he edged closer to selection with each over in England.

Data from analyst CricViz shows that Boland has delivered 56 percent of balls with good line and distance over the past three years, a higher rate than any other Test bowler.

Boland was unlucky not to have a second wicket in the day’s opening game when he dropped Thakur from a jumping Usman Khawaja on the third slip.

Thakur then survived a second chance to eight when Green dropped the regular catch on the gully in front of Cummins.

And the Indian No8 was lucky again as Cummins pinned her with his left hand in the final pre-lunch run only for replays to show the Australian captain had gone too far.

It was one of six no-balls for Cummins, an issue he needs to fix before the Ashes.