Tempers flare at SCG as Stokes takes aim at Labuschagne

Tempers flared late on day two of the SCG Test as England captain Ben Stokes appeared to tell Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne to “shut the f---” up in fading light with the visitors struggling for wickets.

Travis Head’s brilliant Ashes series continued with an important and unbeaten 91 as Joe Root brought up triple figures for the second time on an otherwise forgettable tour that could be his last in Australia.

After bowling England out for 384, courtesy of a four-wicket haul from Michael Neser, Australia motored along at 4.85 runs an over to go to stumps at 2-166 from 34.1 overs, trailing by 218 runs.

England’s total looked slightly under par at the change of innings, and that theory appeared sound when Head and Labuschagne combined for a 105-run partnership.

But there was late drama in between overs when Stokes was involved in a heated confrontation with Labuschagne.

It appeared Stokes was unhappy with Labuschagne wanting to get off the field in cloudy conditions as the SCG floodlights were turned on. There was also a suggestion Labuschagne had prevented Stokes from running in to bowl when he wanted to during the final session.

Stokes gave Labuschagne a spray, appearing to say “shut the f--- up” before wrapping his arm around Australia’s No.3. Umpire Ahsan Raza walked towards the pair as Stokes made light contact with Labuschagne, which could catch the attention of the match referee.

“I thought he was going to get him in a headlock there,” said Mark Waugh in commentary for Fox.

With 19 minutes remaining in the day, Stokes got his revenge as Labuschagne edged a ball to Jacob Bethell at gully for 48. Stokes did not give Labuschagne a send-off.

Neser, who came in as a nightwatchman instead of regular No.4 Steve Smith, said he was unsure what sparked the exchange.

“Not a clue. I was stressing about my batting,” Neser said.

“He has a knack [of frustrating opponents]. I think it’s just the fact that he’s such a strong competitor and he can get under your skin. It’s just Marnus for you.”

Labuschagne was compact in defence and expansive when England overpitched, but will be frustrated to fall two runs shy of a third half-century this series, particularly with such a loose shot.

Head, who has never scored a Test century at the SCG – the only major Australian venue where he hasn’t – looked in imperious touch, belting six boundaries through the cover region.

His promotion up the order following Usman Khawaja’s back spasms in the first Test has been a series-defining move.

It is the first time Head has registered 500 runs in a Test series. It comes after he piled on 448 runs at 92.56 against India last summer.

Not since David Warner’s 523 in the 2013-14 home Ashes has an Australian opener scored more runs in a series against England. Head scored 21 of his runs in this series at No.5 in the first innings in Perth.

Jake Weatherald (21) perished early again, taking his series tally to 167 runs at 20.87 – hardly glowing numbers from nine innings.

Root’s 160 earlier on Monday was his highest score in Australia from 36 innings. On previous tours, Root’s flaw had been an inability to convert half-centuries into hundreds, but that has not been an issue on this visit.

He has made six scores between nought and 20, but none between 40 and 137. Centuries in Brisbane and Sydney will please him, but his Gabba knock came in an eight-wicket defeat and the other in a dead rubber.

Root showed his technique – he is often criticised for wafting outside off stump and playing too many balls behind point – could stand up in bouncy Australian conditions.

His 41st Test century on Monday equalled Ricky Ponting’s career tally, though the Australian still boasts the superior Ashes average: 44.1 to Root’s 41.5.

“Yesterday it felt like much better batting conditions. It was a lot trickier today,” Root said.

“I don’t know how many opportunities I’m going to get to come back to Australia. There’s so much to play for throughout the next three days. We find ourselves very much in the game.

“I’d love to [come back to Australia], but we’ll see how things unfold in time.”

Harry Brook added six runs to his overnight total before being caught at slip off Scott Boland (2-85).

England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith looked good for his 46 before playing a dreadful shot, caught in the deep off Labuschagne’s medium pace, which got up to 137km/h.

Having already survived being caught off a Cam Green no-ball, and a thick edge flying between Alex Carey and Beau Webster the next delivery, Smith’s brain fade became a major talking point in the SCG commentary boxes.

“Not for the first time in this series, Jamie Smith has played one of the dumbest shots you’ll ever see in Test cricket,” said former Australian coach Justin Langer on Channel Seven. “He was lucky earlier … Test cricket goes for five days. Dumb cricket.”

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