Mark Wood has revealed he missed Ben Stokes' Ashes heroics at Headingley as he was practising the art of nappy-changing at an antenatal class.
Wood's England and Durham team-mate took centre stage in Leeds, hitting an unbeaten century to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the thrilling third Test.
Stokes smashed 135 in a successful chase of 359, defying Australia alongside last man Jack Leach, to ensure England headed into the fourth contest at Old Trafford level at 1-1 in the series.
Stokes' innings was described as one of the best in Test history, but was one his good friend Wood did not see live.
"I was in a labour class with my wife as we are expecting our first child," the World Cup winner told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I couldn't believe I missed it. I left the house when Jos Buttler got out and I thought, 'We haven't got a chance here, we are going to go down'.
"There was no reception in the hospital but when I came out my phone was like, 'Stokesy, Stokesy, Stokesy' so I didn't speak to my wife all the way home. I am still a bit bitter about that.
"We did putting Pampers on dolls and I was one of the most effective at that.
"I probably did it in record time, but I am not sure you can hold a live baby straight up in the air and put it on that way like I did! I would have to be a bit more gentle."
