Usman Khawaja's baffling move to burn teammate as Marnus ...

Usman Khawaja was dismissed in ugly fashion just five minutes into the fourth day of the first cricket Test against India, continuing a tumultuous 24 hours for the Aussie opener. Khawaja fell for just four after skying the ball straight into the air while attempting an audacious pull shot off the bowling of Mohammed Siraj.

Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant ran back to secure a tricky catch, and Khawaja was on his way. The ugly dismissal would have been particularly grating for Aussie cricket fans after he copped backlash on Sunday evening for burning opening partner Nathan McSweeney.

Michael Clarke was critical of Usman Khawaja's decision to allow Nathan McSweeney to face the first ball. Image: Getty/Channel 7

Former Test captain Michael Clarke was among the many to take aim at Khawaja's decision to allow rookie opener McSweeney to face the first ball in Australia's second innings against India, calling on the veteran to "own the moment". McSweeney lasted just four balls before being trapped lbw by Jasprit Bumrah, precipitating a collapse that saw Australia lose 3-12 in pursuit of an unachievable 534 at Perth Stadium.

India should wrap up the first Test on Monday, completing a humiliating rout of a listless, tardy and severely deflated Australia side. The home side simply ran out of ideas and fight on day three as India youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal and a back-to-form Virat Kohli piled on the misery with centuries before a late declaration.

Many fans saw the move to allow debutant McSweeney to face the first ball of the second innings as symptomatic of Australia's lack of planning and general cricket smarts. Clarke was astounded by the decision.

"A lot of people don't like taking first ball, so the opening batters rotate," he told Sky Sports' Big Sports Breakfast. "Khawaja took the first ball in the first innings and now they're saying it's McSweeney (for the second innings).

"But I think Uzzie should have said, 'youngster, get down the other end, even though we're going to rotate, even though I don't like taking it, it's my time'. (He should have said) 'I'm a senior player. I'm 38 years of age in a week's time. Listen here, youngster, I know you want to do it (but) get down there. It's my turn'. I think Uzzie should have owned that moment."

Clarke was also critical over the lack of fight when India batted a second time, accusing Australia of going through the motions. He said: "It was like we just expected to knock India over again for not many – there was no intent. They were right in our faces but I didn't see any of our bowlers give it to any (India) batsmen. Our intent, our energy…it all looked a bit flat for the first Test of the summer."

Nathan McSweeney walks off after being dismissed for a duck. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Cricket fans critical of Usman Khawaja's baffling decision

Things went from bad to embarrassing in the final half hour of play as the Aussies lost McSweeney (0), Pat Cummins (2) and Marnus Labuschagne (3). McSweeney fell victim to Bumrah for the second innings in a row, completing a nightmare Test debut for the 25-year-old.

But many were left questioning why veteran teammate Khawaja didn't show more leadership by facing the first ball of the innings. Khawaja faced the first ball in the first innings, but in the second dig the Aussie openers switched it around (which is customary for openers).

But given McSweeney was on debut and the incredible Bumrah was bowling in fading light, many felt Khawaja should have shown some leadership and fronted up himself. The 37-year-old Khawaja has played 73 Tests, and many fans and commentators felt it was 'poor' for him to allow McSweeney to expose himself to Bumrah straight away.

Others countered by saying McSweeney would have had to face Bumrah at some stage anyway, and openers shouldn't need protecting. But the sight of Khawaja standing at the non-striker's end while Bumrah cannoned a ball into McSweeney's front pad left a sour taste in many people's mouths.

Marnus Labuschagne torched over 'selfish' act

Cummins then showed some brilliant leadership by coming out to bat at No.3, protecting Labuschagne and Steve Smith from having to bat in the tricky conditions. But once he departed, Labuschagne decided to come out at No.4 anyway.

And it immediately backfired as the struggling batter lasted just five balls. Many were left wondering why the Aussies would send Labuschagne out at No.4 if they didn't send him out at 3, with some suggesting a second nightwatchman in Nathan Lyon should have batted instead. If the Aussies were going to be three down at stumps, surely you'd rather they be Cummins and Lyon in the sheds rather than McSweeney and Labuschagne.

And to make matters worse for Labuschagne, he burned a review on his way back to the pavilion. The Aussie batter got it horribly wrong when he shouldered arms and watched the ball from Bumrah thud into his pads.

After a discussion with Khawaja he opted to use DRS, and replays showed the ball was thundering into his off stump. Labuschagne's decision to use a review when he didn't even play a shot was labelled 'selfish' by many cricket pundits on social media.

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How much longer can the Aussies carry Marnus Labuschagne?

The Aussies are no chance of chasing 534, but you'd like to have all your reviews in hand in case the umpire makes a howler. Labuschagne's dismissal continued his horror run of form, in which he hasn't made a Test century in the last 18 months.

There's renewed questions about how much longer the Aussies can afford to keep Labuschagne in the team, although there doesn't appear to be many options to replace him. With scores of 2 and 3 in Perth, he hasn't reach double figures in his last 10 innings. And selectors might have to bite the bullet and make a call before it's too late.