Ben Stokes found himself in an uncomfortable interaction with an Australian journalist on Wednesday. The England cricket captain was questioned about recent photos showing him, along with teammates Mark Wood and Jamie Smith, riding e-scooters in Brisbane without helmets.

Queensland law mandates that all e-scooter riders must wear helmets, putting the three England players under scrutiny after the images surfaced.

Addressing the issue, Stokes remarked that both he and his teammates are “human.” He also emphasized that the Australian media’s focus would not detract from their enjoyment of the Ashes tour.

During the press conference, a journalist brought up the incident, saying, “There’s been some criticism about you and your teammates not wearing helmets while riding e-scooters in Brisbane. Do you recognize that was not the right thing to do?”

Stokes responded tersely, “Next time we’re on a scooter, we will wear helmets.”

Ben Stokes was involved in an awkward exchange with an Australian reporter on Wednesday, while he faced questions about photos that had emerged this week of himself and other team-mates riding e-scooters without helmets

Stokes had previously stated that members of the Aussie media would not put his side off enjoying themselves while on tour

The reporter asked again: ‘Do you think you owe an apology to Queenslanders?’

Stokes repeated himself: ‘Next time on scooters, we will wear helmets.’

The reporter asked again whether Stokes would make further comment, before a member of England’s staff stepped in, saying: ‘No, we’re going to move on.’

While those falling foul of the rule can face fines of up to $166 (£82), Queensland Police said that they had spoken to the three players and confirmed they would not be facing any punishment.

The players were later criticised by Queensland’s Minister for Sport Tim Mander, who called the move ‘irresponsible’.

Earlier this week, Stokes broke his silence on the matter by urging his side to keep enjoying everything Australia has to offer when they’re not in training.

‘If they [Australian media] think it is going to stop us enjoying this country when we have time off, then it is not going to do that,’ the England skipper said on the scrutiny that has followed them.

He added: ‘They are going to be there and film us, so the message to the group is please don’t make decisions based on the fact you might get caught on camera.

When asked whether he had anything further to say on the e-scooter photos, Stokes simply said: ‘Next time on scooters, we will wear helmets’

On Thursday, Stokes took note of England’s poor record at The Gabba and explained that his fearless side were ready to change the narrative  

‘We are human. We need to enjoy countries when we get the opportunity, because we live in England, where it is miserable, freezing cold and dark at 4pm.’

England have only won four times in 22 matches at The Gabba, with their last win at the Queensland arena coming in 1986.

Stokes acknowledged England’s struggles here in the past, but defiantly said that his team were ready to change the narrative.

‘Lots of our guys are on their first Ashes tour, so this is going to be a new experience for them. No, it doesn’t hold too much fear,’ Stokes said on Wednesday.

‘Every time you go out there your juices are always flowing, regardless of the venue you do play at.

‘For Australia, I guess the Gabba is a little bit like Edgbaston or Headingley are for us, where you take a lot of confidence at home if you’ve got good records at those grounds.

‘You also understand that Australia know this is a very good ground for them but we’re excited for that.

‘Obviously, records for teams go back a long, long time. Many teams have gone to the Gabba and lost to Australia but this is a brand new outfit.’