Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has shed light on the heated exchange between Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne during Day 2 of the fifth Ashes Test of the 2025–26 series at the Sydney Cricket Ground, revealing that the confrontation was far more tactical than emotional. The flashpoint occurred late in the day after Travis Head struck Stokes for back-to-back boundaries in the 29th over.
What followed was a verbal exchange between Labuschagne and the England skipper, with Stokes even appearing to put an arm around the Australian batter in an attempt to assert dominance. While the moment looked fiery on television, Broad explained that it was part of a calculated plan from England’s captain.
Speaking on Day 3, Broad revealed that Labuschagne had been chirping from the non-striker’s end, commenting on deliveries and outcomes. Stokes, unimpressed, reportedly responded by reminding him that there were already two umpires on the field and no need for a third. According to Broad, the exchange, though seemingly mild, achieved its purpose — pulling Labuschagne out of his tightly guarded batting routine.
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That disruption proved decisive almost immediately. In the very next over, Stokes tempted Labuschagne with a delivery wide outside off stump. The Australian, who had looked settled on 48, chased the ball and edged it to gully, handing England a crucial breakthrough and ending a threatening partnership with Head.
Stokes wasn’t having any of it, after a war of words with Labuschagne he swiftly removed him 🥶 pic.twitter.com/7P0vODYomz
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) January 5, 2026
Stuart Broad was critical of Labuschagne’s lapse in concentration, suggesting the batter allowed himself to be distracted at a vital stage of the innings. He pointed out that Labuschagne had been batting as fluently as he had all series before the dismissal and threw away a hard-earned start.
The incident has also shone a light on Labuschagne’s broader struggles in Test cricket. The right-hander has endured a difficult Ashes campaign, scoring 222 runs from nine innings at an average of 27.75, with just two half-centuries. His form has been on a downward trend since 2023, managing only one century and five fifties in 31 matches during that period.
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While England celebrated the wicket, Australia still ended Day 3 in a commanding position thanks to a sublime 163 from Travis Head. Nevertheless, the Stokes-Labuschagne episode underlined England’s aggressive mindset under pressure — using competitiveness and mind games as tools to manufacture breakthroughs when momentum seems to slip away.
