The contentious altercation between Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne that took place on the second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test match at Sydney Cricket Ground has been made public by former England pacer Stuart Broad. Before Stokes ejected the Australian batter, the two players got into a verbal altercation during the last period of play.
The conflict started while Marnus and Travis Head were forming a reliable batting combo. In pursuit of a breakthrough, England seemed to step up their efforts, which resulted in a verbal altercation between Labuschagne and Stokes. “Thought he (Stokes) would put him in a headlock,” said former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh, who was commentating, because the situation was so heated.
Stokes wrapped his arm around Labuschagne’s shoulder as the conversation came to a conclusion, despite the heated exchange. Moments later, though, the England captain got his final laugh when he got rid of Labuschagne, causing a loose drive outside off stump. Stokes looked at Labuschagne for a long time after taking the wicket.
In an interview with 7Cricket prior to Day 3, Broad clarified that the conversation between the two players did not cross any boundaries.
To be honest, I believe that Marnus Labuschagne made a mistake by revving up Ben Stokes, who was actually one of the greatest competitors of all time and had the ball in his hand. Broad stated on 7Cricket, “I think there was a bit of a delaying tactic, and I think Labuschagne was maybe talking quite a bit out there, particularly to Travis Head, his partner.”
“This morning, I spoke with Stokes. By saying this, I’m not betraying any trust. “Oh, that’s going down a leg, or that’s four runs,” Marnus remarked. “We have two umpires out here, we don’t need three.” It was all very courteous, but what actually happened was that it forced Labuschagne to leave his comfort zone, which is England’s strategy. He broke his routines, and the next ball Ben Stokes bowled, he drove at a slightly wide delivery, moved away, and was out,” he continued.
Broad called Labuschagne’s “poor play” for letting himself get sucked into the altercation.
He believed that Labuschagne had been batting with ease up until that point and had no motive to verbally spar with him and ruin his flow.
Broad stated, “I thought it was a poor play from Marnus, because Marnus was playing as nicely as he had done in the series, but it sort of worked for England, for Ben Stokes to get into that competitive spirit.”
The incident happened during a thrilling Test match as England amassed 384 runs in the first innings, led by Joe Root’s incredible 160. Travis Head continued his excellent form, scoring his third century and becoming the first batsman to reach 500 runs in an Ashes series with a strike rate of 75 or above as Australia replied forcefully.
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