Ashes | Twitter reacts as frustrated Stokes unloads on sheepish Labuschagne in fierce altercation
Who does not love characters in cricket? Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne are perhaps the most infamous of the current lot of active characters, yet their severely contrasting styles came to the forefront on Day 2 at the SCG during a heated altercation during the final stages of play.
Australia seized momentum on Day 2 of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground by bowling out England for 384 despite a resounding 160 from Joe Root before a brilliant counterattack from Travis Head saw them head into Stumps trailing by a little over 200 and just two scalps down. The opener first stitched together a 57-run stand with Jake Weatherald and then added 105 runs in conjunction with Marnus Labuschagne, the latter looking the most fluent he has through the series. However, just when he seemed set to end the day unbeaten, Ben Stokes disrupted his momentum with a barrage of words that ultimately bagged him the prize scalp.
In the 29th over, Stokes delivered a jaffa to Travis Head that nearly did him in, only to release all the pressure with a half-volley and a length ball down the pads which were easily put away for four. As the skipper took his cap and walked off at the end of the over, Labuschagne seemed to venture a few words towards him and that was all it took to get the man fired up. Stokes immediately walked up to Labuschagne to inquire about it, and some heated words followed before Stokes walked away distinctly asking the batter to shut up with a few curses attached to the phrase. However, Labuschagne retained a sheepish look and continued to talk back, at which point Stokes walked towards him again and put an arm around his shoulder, cheekily digging in his fingers in a classic schoolboy threatening move. The gesture seemed to work though as both made peace and walked their seperate ways, even as a bewildered Head and chuckling umpires looked on.
Just a couple overs later, Labuschagne went driving at Stokes and was duly caught in the cordon, thus departing for 48 and missing out on a well-deserved half-century.
Heated up!
— Usman mohammed (@Usmanmoham35703) January 5, 2026
Heated moment!
Heated Moment between Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne shouldn't make Stokes angry because if Stokes gets angry he will destroy Australia pic.twitter.com/gxxi9G5iGq
— Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel) January 5, 2026
Frustration
FRUSTRATION. HEATED ARGUMENT. CONFRONTATION. BEN STOKES. MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE. WE LIVE FOR MOMENTS LIKE THIS. pic.twitter.com/d6tPP30XRL
— yikes(p) (@payalsharma_18) January 5, 2026
Lol!
Luckily for Marnus, his helmet should protect him from Ben Stokes' signature move. pic.twitter.com/gTm5WbHDGd
— 🍓 (@19cric) January 5, 2026
Oh!
None of the commentator talking about Cricket is not a physical sport when ben stokes put hand on marnus shoulder & squeeze it but talk about banning akashdeep even though akashdeep was friendly not like fiery stokes.
— Confused :)! (@AnkitKu73041500) January 5, 2026
haha!
me screaming at the tv telling Ben Stokes to leave Marnus alone and to not touch him. Take your frustrations out somewhere else but not on Marnus #Ashes
— 𝓡𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓰𝓲🌸 (@ReneeSergi) January 5, 2026
But why!?
Ben Stokes is so unlikeable #ashes
— Ben Kelly (@benkellly11) January 5, 2026
Lol!
Luckily for Marnus, his helmet should protect him from Ben Stokes' signature move.
— Shinzo Abe Lincoln (@SaintJackington) January 5, 2026
Stokes strike again!
BEN STOKES STRIKES AGAIN! 💥
— Rana Ahmad (@Ahm67518) January 5, 2026
- Just when Australia were building momentum, Stokes breaks the dangerous 105-run partnership.
- Marnus Labuschagne falls for 48 – heartbreakingly two short of a fifty. 😔#Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/lZceW2ihim
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