Barbie and Oppenheimier are not just ruling the box office but have ignited a meme-fest on social media as well. England Test captain Ben Stokes' pre-match press conference did not remain untouched by the Barbie fever as well. England speedster Mark Wood hijacked the press conference as he played the iconic ‘Barbie Girl’ song in the ground.
Stokes, who was five years old when the novelty track became a UK number one, took the moment in his stride as he puffed his cheeks in deadpan fashion before before correctly guessing the culprit.
Looking up and over his shoulder towards the team gym, he shouted “Woody” as laughter from the assembled journalists replaced the music.
Stokes proceeded to name an unchanged XI and spent 15 minutes speaking to reporters, but Wood’s DJ set was not quite complete.
As Stokes finished his appearance and stood up to leave, Wood reprised the prank by playing The Imperial March by composer John Williams – better known as the song that heralds the appearance of Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies.
The video of the press conference has gone viral on social media.
During the press conference, Stokes was also asked about his chronic left knee problem that resurfaces from time to time. Stokes revealed that he is ready to have serious conversations about the injury.
“Yeah, it’s something I obviously want to get sorted,” the all-rounder said.
“The times I’ve seen specialists and stuff like that, there has been cricket around, so as it’s been manageable we’ve just cracked on.
“I was pretty broken after the Lord’s game, but I still managed to walk out. I think this is a good time to have some serious conversations with medics around what I could potentially do to get a role in which I can bowl without having to worry about my knee. Those are conversations we will be able to have in that time off.
“It has been frustrating in the last couple of years, not being able to have the same impact and play the same role that I have done for the last 10 years.
“So it’s obviously something that I want to be able to do and hopefully I can get sorted. I keep forgetting that I’m ageing every day.”
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