Did Josh Hazlewood take a swipe at Ben Stokes amid series of Ashes feuds at tipping point?

The coaches are trading barbs. The players are at each other’s throats. The third Ashes Test at Headingley will be peppered with fiery individual battles, writes DANIEL CHERNY.

The spiteful finish to the second Test has set the scene for some potentially explosive meetings at Headingley this week.

Here are some of the most appetising battles within the battle.

Alex Carey v Stuart Broad

Broad – overtaken by Ollie Robinson in the Australian public enemy stakes at Edgbaston – is still not short of a word. Clearly unimpressed by Australia’s decision to dismiss the creeping Jonny Bairstow, Broad humorously exaggerated remaining in his crease later in England’s run chase. He was also caught on the stump mic telling Carey that “you’ll forever be remembered for that.”

To be fair to Broad, he knows all about mud sticking, having infamously not walked when he edged Ashton Agar to slip during an Ashes Test a decade ago. Broad has continued to chirp about the Bairstow incident on social media since it happened. It would be no shock to see someone who enjoys the theatre so much to have another bite in Leeds.

Expect the theatre to continue when Broad bowls to Carey at Headingley. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Jonny Bairstow v Pat Cummins

While Carey was the one who caught Bairstow napping, it was Australian skipper Cummins who opted not to withdraw the appeal for the Englishman’s dismissal, earning him pole position for villainy. Bairstow gave Cummins something amounting to a death stare when the teams shook hands after Australia secured its 43-run win in Lord’s. It makes for a mightily spicy encore when the teams reconvene so soon.

Ben Stokes v Josh Hazlewood

Hazlewood had been among the Aussie bowlers taken down by England’s star all-rounder when he pulled off the miracle at Headingley four years ago. Hazlewood and his fellow Aussie quicks must have been feeling a horrible sense of deja vu as Stokes blasted six after six at Lord’s on Sunday to threaten another astonishing escape. Hazlewood had the last laugh though, with Stokes top-edging on 155. Hazlewood celebrated with arms outstretched. It was awfully reminiscent of the way Stokes had marked the winning runs in 2019. Was Hazlewood’s gesture a subtle dig? In any case it will be fascinating to see how Australia bowls to Stokes this time around.

Was the Josh Hazlewood celebration a subtle dig at Ben Stokes’ reaction in Headingley four years back? Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Andrew McDonald v Brendon McCullum

The Australian coach has tended to keep a low profile since taking over from Justin Langer. McDonald is not one to needlessly inflame situations, which is why it was so interesting that he bit back at comments from his England counterpart McCullum. The former New Zealand captain said on the BBC immediately after the match that he couldn’t envisage the two sides going for a beer any time soon. McDonald responded that he found the comments “disappointing.” Any interactions between the pair at Leeds will be closely scrutinised.

Ollie Robinson v Usman Khawaja

It feels a while ago now, but these two were involved in the first major blow-up of the series when Robinson gave Khawaja a foul-mouthed send-off after the Aussie opener made 141 in Birmingham. The pair had further words in the second innings, although Khawaja downplayed that exchange. Robinson was better behaved at Lord’s but with tensions in the series having lifted at least a couple of notches, it’s hard to guarantee that will remain the case. The dignified Khawaja was among the Australians to take exception to abuse from MCC members in the long room after the Bairstow controversy erupted.

Ollie Robinson’s send-off of Usman Khawaja at Birmingham was the first major incident of the series. Picture: Geoff Caddick/AFP

Todd Murphy v England’s batting

At last a contest that for now at least is purely cricketing. Murphy, 22, has a huge responsibility this week after Nathan Lyon went down with a calf injury. Murphy has never played a professional game in the UK, and while he has been praised for his maturity, he shapes as a likely target from England’s aggressive batters as the hosts try to win the Ashes from 2-0 down for the first time in more than eight decades.

Originally published as Did Josh Hazlewood take a swipe at Ben Stokes amid series of Ashes feuds at tipping point?