It took until the fifth Test, but there was finally some proper Ashes spice at the SCG when Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne got into a heated exchange.

As light began to fade and rain threatened in the final session on day two, the England skipper’s frustration began to grow as the Australian batters took control.

Travis Head – who finished the day unbeaten on 91 – had just hit two boundaries off an over from Stokes, before a mid-pitch discussion over the bad light started.

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The umpires were chatting with Head and Labuschagne when an irate Stokes walked past and started going back-and-forth with the eccentric Aussie batter.

Stokes continued walking but Labuschagne clearly said something that got under his skin, with the champion all-rounder making a beeline back towards his rival.

Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne exchange words. Getty

Things then got physical for a brief moment when Stokes wrapped his arm around Labuschagne’s neck and gave him a little squeeze and tap on the chest.

At one stage, it looked like Stokes told Labuschagne to “shut the f–k up”.

Labuschagne seemed to be all smiles after the incident, but that didn’t last long when Stokes forced him into an edge and dismissed him for 48 just moments later.

“There was a little bit of fire,” Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket at the close of play.

“We haven’t seen a lot of anger or aggression or anything over the top during the series, it’s been played in quite a friendly spirit – but it just got a little bit heated and maybe it’s the fifth Test, everyone is getting a little bit tired.

“This little confrontation between Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne, the verbals started and we thought where has it been? It looked like it was done and dusted, a little bit of backchat … but something caught Stokes’ attention and he goes back to Marnus.

“He actually puts his arm around him. I don’t know if that was trying to diffuse the situation, but it still looked like it was pretty heated.”

Ben Stokes puts his arm around Marnus Labuschagne.  Getty

Australian women’s star Alyssa Healy conceded that Stokes could face some scrutiny.

“He might have a little trip to the match referee,” she said.

“This is what we expect in an Ashes series – none of that situation, but a bit of spice and heat and frustration at times. It probably just reflects the series for England so far, it has been a frustrating one and particularly for someone like Ben Stokes.

“You want to see the passion and aggression and this is what Marnus lives for.”

Brett Lee, who played in his fair share of Ashes series’, claimed there wasn’t much in it.

“Should you touch an opposition player? The answer is no. Is there anything wrong with that? I’d say no,” the former Aussie fast-bowler said.

Ben Stokes fires up at Marnus Labuschagne.  Getty

Michael Neser was asked after play whether he had a problem with another player touching the other but was careful in his reply saying “it depends on the context”.

Neser also said he had no idea what was said between the too.

Australia finished the day at 2-166 with Head and nightwatchman Neser at the crease when stumps were called one ball into the final over due to rain.

The hosts remain 218 runs behind England’s first innings tally, which was mostly built off the back of an incredible century from Joe Root.