When an injured Ben Stokes almost got Alastair Cook out in Headingley Test

Ben Stokes brought the play to halt in the fifth over of England’s first innings by popping behind the sightscreen.

Ben Stokes was ruled out from the Headingley Test that started on Friday due to a hamstring team. However, the English all-rounder could not be kept out of action. He risked coming in the way of former captain Alastair Cook’s wrath. Here’s what happened.

Stokes brought the play to halt in the fifth over of England’s first innings by popping behind the sightscreen. He popped up for the second time coming in the way of Cook’s eye-line. Cook and Stokes exchanged signals and sprinted back to the dressing room.

Cook almost poked at a ball from Mohammad Aamer when the play resumed.

Stokes stops play!

Watch the moment Ben Stokes attempted to hide behind the sightscreen having popped up in Alastair Cook’s eyeline! https://t.co/wcey9n0lHi#participationtest pic.twitter.com/5dWHb9yfOw

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 2, 2018

Ian Botham, who was commentating, quipped, “I reckon that bat might have gone across the dressing room had Cook nicked that one.”

Cook was batting on 10 then. He went on to score 46. England were 106 for 2 at stumps on Day One, responding to Pakistan’s 174. Pakistan are leading the Test series 1-0.