Alastair Cook Forced to Apologise to Australian on Live TV in Awkward Moment
Alastair Cook delivered an on-air apology to Justin Langer after bringing up a famous Ashes moment following the first day of the first Test in Perth.
19 wickets fell on the first day of the first Ashes Test as England mounted a spirited fightback after Australia bowled them out before tea.
England could only manage 172 in their first innings as only Harry Brook (52) passed 50, with Mitchell Starc picking up Test-best figures of 7-58.
In reply, Stokes inspired England's comeback, taking five wickets, including Travis Head, Cameron Green and Alex Carey.
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Stokes, who was playing his first competitive game since a shoulder injury in July, made a huge impact with the ball as he led his team's bowling attack.
Naturally, Stokes' five-wicket haul and performance with the ball was assessed by TNT Sports pundits Cook, Langer and Steven Finn.
After singing his praises, Cook asked Langer about Stokes and how he is viewed down under.
Cook asked Langer: "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?"
Langer, who was Australia's coach for the iconic 2019 Ashes Test match at Headingley, replied: "Easily the worst day of my cricket career, without question, was Leeds."
Stokes hit an unbeaten 135 to lead England to an unlikely victory, giving Langer the 'worst day of his career'.
"What people forget about that test match was he made an amazing 100, brilliant," he added. "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 was forced to apologise to the Australian legend after bringing up Stokes' heroics in 2019.
He joked: "I genuinely forgot you were the coach for that and I was not bringing that up to introduce you to TNT. I apologise."
Topics: Ben Stokes, Cricket, Australia, England
Nasir Jabbar