England legend Alastair Cook was left red-faced after bringing up a moment Justin Langer would have been keen to forget during a live Ashes analysis
11:30, 21 Nov 2025
Alastair Cook was forced to apologise live on TNT Sports during their coverage after day one of the first Ashes test.(Image: (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images))
Cricket legend Alastair Cook found himself in a spot of bother after unintentionally reminding Australian coach Justin Langer of an Ashes moment he’d rather forget. The pair were dissecting the first Ashes test on TNT Sport following England’s impressive comeback, with Ben Stokes taking multiple wickets.
The conversation turned to the England captain, with Cook directly asking Langer about Stokes and his reputation Down Under. 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,” Langer responded, referring to the unforgettable 2019 Ashes test where Stokes put in a staggering display for the test he served as Australia’s coach.
READ MORE: Why Usman Khawaja didn’t open batting for Australia in first Ashes test as unknown rule enforcedREAD MORE: What Mitchell Starc did in the Ashes spoke volumes as England collapse amid Steve Smith jibes
“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 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.”
Whilst not feeling quite as dejected as he did six years previously, Langley would have been far from pleased with Australia’s batting performance.
Jofra Archer gave England’s bowling attack a flying start by dismissing Jake Weatherald LBW before Marnus Labuschagne knocked his own stumps off another Archer ball.
Jofra Archer of England celebrates dismissing Marnus Labuschagne.(Image: (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images))
Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja couldn’t capitalise on Australia’s excellent opening, which was inspired by Mitchell Starc, as Brydon Carse managed to dismiss both for a combined total of just 19 runs.
Further Australian wickets tumbled with Stokes claiming the last five dismissals to leave England 49 runs ahead with only one wicket left at stumps on day one.
England looked set to lose the opening test after being bowled out for 172 but their bowling display has placed them firmly in control heading into day two of the first test.
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