The Unplayable Podcast · Cricket Australia

Sydney D2: Filthy’, ‘dumb’ batting precedes Stokes-Marnus skirmish

·22 min·2 clips

Ben Stokes puts his arm around Marnus Labuschagne's neck during a heated exchange at the SCG.

This episode of The Unplayable Podcast analyzes the second day of the Sydney Ashes Test, hosted by cricket journalists Josh and Louis Cameron. They dissect the day's key events, focusing on a confrontation between players and contrasting batting performances. The hosts provide expert commentary from their perspective in the press box at the SCG. The major talking point was a mid-pitch altercation between England's Ben Stokes and Australia's Marnus Labuschagne during the final session. Stokes appeared agitated after conceding boundaries, with Labuschagne allegedly saying something from the non-striker's end. The incident involved Stokes putting his arm around Labuschagne's shoulder, which Fox Cricket's Mark Waugh noted included a slight squeeze. Travis Head scored a rapid 91 not out from 87 balls, including 15 fours with unorthodox shots like an airborne drive. Joe Root scored a classical century, with the hosts noting his remarkable temperament despite England's collapsing lower order. England lost their last five wickets for 60 runs after being 5/320, a collapse sparked by Jamie Smith's controversial dismissal to Labuschagne's part-time bowling. Former Test players Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Mark Taylor, and Steven Finn variously described Smith's shot or the bowling as "dumb," "filthy," "rubbish," and "brainless." Stokes later dismissed Labuschagne, showing notable self-control by not excessively celebrating the wicket. Nightwatchman Michael Neser faced 15 of the day's final 19 balls, surviving a blow to the arm that ended play slightly early. Neser's promotion ensured Mitchell Starc did not bat at number 11, highlighting Australia's deep batting lineup. Stuart Broad suggested on radio that if Australia had Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, England would have been dismissed for under 250. The hosts debated whether the Stokes-Labuschagne contact constituted intimidating behavior, comparing it to past incidents involving Virat Kohli. They pondered how much audio stump microphones might have captured during the confrontation. Analysis revealed Michael Neser's Test bowling average of 17.19 now narrowly bests Scott Boland's 18.47, albeit from a smaller sample. The conversation noted this Australian attack, missing several first-choice bowlers, is effectively a "B-grade" lineup aside from Mitchell Starc. The hosts expressed admiration for Joe Root's unselfish approach despite his team's frequent collapses during his innings. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending immediate match reaction with deeper tactical insights. The style is informed by press box observations and post-play press conferences, creating an insider's perspective. Cricket fans who enjoy detailed technical analysis of Test match sessions and on-field psychology would love this episode. Listeners seeking only highlight recaps or those disinterested in the nuanced debates of Test cricket might skip it.

As heard by us

A day-two SCG recap built around batting, a final-session confrontation, and a live, ground-level feel.

Day two at the SCG gives the episode enough to chew on: batting, a final-session confrontation, and a discussion that stays close to the cricket.

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Why you'd press play

For a day-two yarn from the SCG with Root, Head, and a bit of biffo.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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