Stuart Broad has explained the reason behind his bizarre but successful decision to switch the bails on Marnus Labuschagne's stumps one delivery prior to the batter’s dismissal.

Labuschagne smiled as Broad walked over to his stand and switched the bails on his stumps before going back to his place in the field. But the right-hander was unhappy soon after. On the next ball, he pushed Mark Wood behind to Joe Root and then walked off while grumbling about the bad light.

Broad ran in and hugged Usman Khawaja, who wasn't batting, before celebrating with Stokes. His antics were quickly noticed by the analysts, who wondered what Broad was thinking. He used Twitter to explain himself after the game.

“Now I’d heard changing the bails is an Aussie thing to attempt to change luck. I’ve currently not had this confirmed by any Aussie- have I made that up?!” Broad posted.

During the press meeting at the end of the day, he said more. “I’ve seen Nathan Lyon do it. And I feel like I’ve seen Justin Langer do it.”

Australia's first innings finished on day two with them being bowled out and leading by 12 runs. England's reaction will start on day three with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.