Australia women's captain warns Ben Stokes for ‘little trip’ after ugly verbal spat with Marnus Labuschagne during Ashes

Australian women team captain Alyssa Healy has issued a warning to Ben Stokes after the England men's captain was involved in an ugly spat with Marnus Labuschagne on Day 2 of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Monday. The incident took place at the fag end of the second day.

Stokes was unhappy with Labuschagne and Travis Head having a chat with the umpires as bad light and rain threated to bring an early end to the day. While verbal spats between the opposition players are a normal in any sport, what didn't go well with the commentators was Stokes' physical touch of Labuschagne.

Calling it a great theatre for viewers, Healy suggested that Stokes could face sanction. "He might have a little trip to the match referee," said Healy on commentary. "This is what we expect in an Ashes series - none of that situation, but a bit of spice and heat and frustration at times.

"It probably just reflects the series for England so far, it has been a frustrating one, particularly for someone like Ben Stokes. You want to see the passion and aggression and this is what Marnus lives for," she said.

Provided the International Cricket Council (ICC) reviews the incident, it would fall under Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. It states "any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket.

“Without limitation, Players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another Player or Umpire.”

What happened between Ben Stokes & Marnus Labuschagne?

It all started after the final ball of the 29th over. At the end of the over, Head and Labuschagne were seen having a word with the on-field umpires over bad light. Just then Head got into a banter with Stokes. Labuschagne gets involved as Stokes passed the Australian batters.

However, it seemed that some of Labuschagne's words didn't go well with Stokes with the Englishman returning an put his arm around the Australian's neck and squeezed it lightly, in a friendly manner. However, Stokes had the last laugh in his next over as Labuschagne edged to gully.

With Stokes pitching the delivery outside off, Labuschagne went for a drive away from his body and edged into the safe hands of Jacob Bethell in the process. Labuschagne fell two runs short of his fifty. According to a HT report, Stokes was also caught telling “shut the f*** up” on the stump mic to Labuschagne's after the over.

Australia vs England 5th Test so far

At Tea on Day 3, Australia were 377/6 in reply to England's first-innings total of 384. Australian captain Steve Smith was unbeaten on 65 while Cameron Green is not out on eight. Earlier, Head pulled Australia up with his third hundred in the series. He was dismissed for 163 by Bethell.

Meanwhile, playing his final international game for Australia, Usman Khawaja was welcomed by a huge roar as he came out to bat. Khawaja's stay in the middle was shortlived as he was dismissed for 17 by Brydon Carse. Australia are leading 3-1 in the series.