Alastair Cook was forced to apologise to cricket legend Justin Langer after accidentally bringing up an Ashes moment the Australian coach would have been keen to forget. The duo were analysing the first Ashes test live on TNT Sport after a brilliant fightback from England with Ben Stokes taking multiple wickets.
The England captain was the point of their discussion with Langer asked very directly by Cook about Stokes and how he is viewed in Australia. Cook said: “I’d love to hear the Aussie point of view of Stokesy, he seems to deliver all the time against Australia. His first hundred was here in Perth in 13/14, what do the public and what do you guys think of him?”
“Easily the worst day of my cricket career, without question, was Leeds,” he replied, referencing the iconic 2019 Ashes test for which Langer was Australia’s coach. “What people forget about that test match was he made an amazing 100, brilliant. The day before he bowled a nine or ten over spell which brought England back into the game.
“He is a freak and I remember after that’s series I put a baggy green cap on his head and put him over my shoulder and said ‘you’re coming with me’.”It was like (Andrew) Flintoff back in 2005, you need that man to stand up. He can do it with both.
“I just love how fit and strong he is and for a captain to walk out with that presence and do what he does, he gave me the worst day of my career.” Cook then jokingly retorted: “I genuinely forgot you were the coach for that and I was not bringing that up to introduce you to TNT. I apologise.”
While not feeling as bad as he did six years ago, Langley would have certainly not enjoyed what he saw from Australia at the crease. Jofra Archer got England’s bowling innings off to a great start by getting Jake Weatherald out for LBW before Marnus Labuschagne struck his own wickets off another Archer delivery.
Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja failed to take advantage of Australia’s superb start as Brydon Carse was able to get both out for just 19 runs between them. More Australian batters fell with Stokes taking the final five wickets to leave England ahead by 49 runs with just one wicket remaining at close of play on day one.
England appeared destined to lose the first test after getting 172 all out but their bowling response has put them in the driving seat for day two of the first test.
