Marnus Labuschagne is called a cheat by English fans after claiming he took dodgy Ashes catch

Marnus Labuschagne has been labelled a cheat by English cricket fans after claiming he took a stunning catch to remove Ollie Robinson during the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston. 

The fired-up Birmingham crowd gave it to the Aussies on day four of the match, and Cameron Green also copped it from the Barmy Army on day three after taking a remarkable catch to dismiss Ben Duckett off the bowling of Scott Boland.

Even though Green’s catch was reviewed and given out, the crowd chanted: ‘Same old Aussies, always cheating.’

As England looked for runs on day four, it was Labuschagne’s turn to get a grilling when he dived forward in an attempt to take a one-handed grab after tail-ender Ollie Robinson gloved a Josh Hazlewood delivery into the air.

Labuschagne was slammed by English cricket fans for celebrating a non-catch that he claimed had dismissed Ollie Robinson (pictured)

Replays showed that the ball had scraped the turf (pictured) – and the fans weren’t shy when it came to letting Labuschagne know all about it 

Labuschagne celebrated immediately, but the on-field umpires sent the decision upstairs and it didn’t take long for the third official to confirm the catch was not genuine.

Replays showed that the Aussie took the ball cleanly – but the ball had scraped the turf.

Unsurprisingly, the crowd weren’t happy and chanted ‘Same old Aussies, always cheating’ around the ground – the same song they sang to Green and have used at other points in the tense contest.

Australia need 174 runs and England seven wickets to secure a famous Ashes victory after Stuart Broad’s heroics ensured the enthralling series opener would enter day five with everything to play for.

Set 281 to win, Australia slumped from 0-61 to 3-107 at stumps, after David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith all fell in the space of eight dramatic overs late on Monday.

Broad was the chief destroyer for England, getting the world’s two top-ranked batsmen caught behind with Labuschagne nicking to an outswinger and Smith an inswinger.

That has left-first innings centurion Usman Khawaja as Australia’s key man at Edgbaston, still at the crease on 34no with nightwatchman Scott Boland at the other end on 13.

‘It probably wasn’t our greatest 40 minutes to lose Marnus, Steve and Davey but you have to give credit where it’s due, England’s bowled well,’ Australia spinner Nathan Lyon said.

The rowdy Birmingham crowd weren’t happy with the dubious catch and chanted ‘Same old, Aussies always cheating’ around the ground

Australia need 174 runs and England seven wickets to secure a famous Ashes victory

‘But I’m backing our boys, I’m confident our boys can go out there and bat well.

‘It’s set up to be a thrilling Test match and it’s been one hell of a way to start the series.’

Rain is forecast for Tuesday morning in Birmingham and is due to clear by lunchtime, leaving all results still on the table.

In a Test where no team has truly been in control, Australia briefly had the upper hand on Monday evening.

Warner looked as good as he has at any point in the past three years as he cut and pulled his way to 36 on a wicket lacking pace.

But when he edged off to Ollie Robinson on 36, the door was open for Broad to send the Edgbaston crowd into overdrive as he delivered on his plan to take down Labuschagne (13) and Smith (6) this summer.

‘Obviously they are No.1 and No.2 in the world, they know what they are doing.’ Broad said.

‘One thing we know as a bowling group, you have to put them under pressure early. If they get to 30 or 40 they don’t give it away cheaply.

‘Today has been one of those days that sums up Ashes cricket.

‘You think you’re getting ahead of the game and you lose a wicket. And the Aussies would have thought the same as well.’