Gilchrist, Lee question Stokes touching Labuschagne during heated SCG exchange: ‘Should you be touching?’

Australian cricket legends Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist have slammed England captain Ben Stokes for putting his arm across Marnus Labuschagne during a heated battle. Stokes and Australia batter Labuschagne were involved in an altercation on Day 2 of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

Joe Root helped England make 384 in the first innings , but Travis Head’s fiery 91 not out off 87 balls reduced the deficit to just 218 runs at the end of Day 2. Australia still have eight wickets in hand. Head was well supported by Labuschagne, who made 48.

Stokes vs Labuschagne at SCG

During Head’s knock on Monday, Labuschagne was constantly seen passing jibes at the England team from the non-striker’s end. And one such jibe led to Stoke losing his cool after he was hit for two consecutive fours.

A frustrated Stokes was seen having a verbal battle with Labuschagne during which he also wrapped his arms around Labuschagne before the umpires intervened. News.com.au claims that Stokes asked the Australian batter to “shut the **** up.”

The day ended with Stokes dismissing Labuschagne two runs short of a fifty, and Australia finished on 166/2.

Brett Lee, Adam Gilchrist slam Stokes

Analysing Stokes’ behaviour, Australian legendary pacer Brett Lee said that it was wrong for Stokes to touch another player during a verbal exchange.

“Should you touch another player? The answer is no,” Lee said on Fox Sports. “But is there anything wrong with that? I’d say no.

“Was it a squeeze? Was he trying to defuse the situation?”

Lee also lamented that the Australian and English players have been more aggressive towards the end of the Ashes series after the winner has already been decided.

“I want to see this in the first Test. This is what the Ashes are about. You’re playing for your country, so get out there and have a crack.”

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist was not sure if Stokes was trying to defuse the tension by putting an arm across Labuschagne, but he felt it was wrong to touch a player.

“It just got a bit heated, maybe (because) it’s the fifth Test and maybe everyone is getting a bit tired,” Gilchrist said on Kayo Sports.

“This confrontation between Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschange, the verbal started and where has it been (before this Test)? It looked like it was done and dusted after a bit of backchat, but something caught Stokes’ attention and he goes back to Marnus and actually puts his arm around him.

“I don’t know whether that was trying to defuse the situation, but it still looked like it was pretty heated,” Gilchrist added.

“Should you be touching an opposition player in any fashion? But this is what we expect in an Ashes series.”