Adelaide, Australia – England’s Ashes ambitions are hanging by a thread after a fiery exchange between captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Jofra Archer underscored a frustrating day for the tourists in Adelaide. Despite Archer’s impressive return to form with a five-wicket haul, Australia tightened its grip on the third Test, pushing their lead and exposing cracks in England’s strategy.

Archer, who has battled injuries since his sensational debut series in 2019, finally showcased the velocity and accuracy that made him a threat to Australian batsmen. His 5-53 from 20.2 overs – his first five-wicket bag since 2019 – provided a much-needed spark for England, but not before a visible disagreement with Stokes on the field.

The tension flared after Mitchell Starc, who notched consecutive Test half-centuries, launched an early attack on Archer’s bowling, hitting three boundaries in the opening overs. Cameras captured a heated discussion between Stokes and Archer, with lip-readers suggesting Stokes expressed frustration with Archer’s perceived lack of adherence to the planned field settings. “Mate, don’t complain about the field placings when you bowl s***,” Stokes reportedly said, followed by a demand for Archer to “shut the f*** up” when challenged.

Former Australian captain Mark Waugh criticized England’s field settings, suggesting a lack of a third man could have prevented some of Starc’s early boundaries. “That was a breakdown in communication,” Waugh observed. “Whether they got plans and haven’t executed the plans, or Jofra’s saying I need a third man, (Stokes has said), ‘Nah. that is where I wanted you to bowl.’”

Despite the friction, Archer’s performance offered a glimmer of hope. He eventually dismissed Starc for 54, and later claimed the crucial wicket of Nathan Lyon, finishing with figures that echoed his impactful 2019 Ashes series, where he took 22 wickets. The crowd at Adelaide Oval acknowledged his efforts with a standing ovation.

However, Australia continued to build their innings, reaching 372, a total that puts immense pressure on England’s batting lineup. The incident with Stokes raises questions about the team’s dynamics and whether the aggressive “Bazball” approach is fracturing under the strain of the series.

“You just feel like Ben Stokes is teetering right on the edge,” said Australian great Adam Gilchrist. “That strong discussion between Archer and Stokes, that’s intriguing. He spoke about his trust and faith with the players, his belief and trying to instil that and drag them with him. But it just feels like he is right on the edge.”

The stakes are exceptionally high. The Ashes, a series steeped in over 140 years of history, represents more than just a cricket contest; it’s a symbol of national pride and sporting dominance. Australia’s current position, coupled with the internal tensions within the England camp, suggests a significant uphill battle for Stokes’ side. With the series on the line, England needs a dramatic shift in momentum to reclaim the Urn.