England captain Ben Stokes found himself embroiled in a tense on-field confrontation with pace bowler Jofra Archer during the second day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.
The flashpoint occurred after Archer conceded three boundaries through the offside in his opening seven deliveries of the morning session.
Stokes took exception to Archer's requests for additional protection on the offside boundary, particularly a third man fielder.
The skipper's message was unambiguous: cease complaining about field placements and instead target the stumps as instructed.
Ben Stokes's brutal message for Jofra Archer was well-received, at least, who immediately took Mitchell Starc after
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Lip readers interpreted Stokes telling his bowler: "Mate, don't complain about field placings when you bowl poorly. Bowl on the stumps."
The exchange laid bare the mounting frustrations within the touring party.
Archer's response proved emphatic and immediate.
Adjusting his length precisely as demanded, the fast bowler delivered a full ball that crashed into Mitchell Starc's off stump, dismissing the Australian for 54.
Stokes spread his arms wide in vindication, whilst Archer slapped his head in visible relief.
A brief hesitation preceded Archer's acceptance of his captain's outstretched hand, though the pair eventually shared a high-five.
England are on the brink of defeat in the third Ashes Test after a miserable outing
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The Barbados-born quick proceeded to claim Australia's final wicket, trapping Nathan Lyon leg before with another straight delivery.
His figures of 5-53 from 20.3 overs represented his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket since December 2019.
The remainder of England's attack managed just five wickets between them for 311 runs across 71 overs.
Australian cricketing legends offered pointed observations about the confrontation.
Adam Gilchrist, the former wicketkeeper, suggested the incident revealed deeper tensions within England's camp as they face the prospect of surrendering the Ashes in Adelaide.
"That strong discussion between Archer and Stokes, that's intriguing," Gilchrist remarked. "You just feel like Ben Stokes is teetering right on the edge. (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."
Mark Waugh, a six-time Ashes winner, characterised the episode as "a breakdown in communication" regarding bowling plans and field placements.
Ricky Ponting noted the emotional intensity of the exchange, suggesting Stokes may have wanted to shake some sense into his bowler.
After some early boundaries, Archer removes Starc for 54. pic.twitter.com/Xn3m8OsvKQ
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) December 17, 2025
The confrontation unfolded amid punishing conditions, with temperatures soaring to 40°C in Adelaide.
England batting coach Marcus Trescothick disclosed that Stokes was left broken by the heat, suffering from cramping and struggling to take on fluids.
Yet the pair's relationship proved resilient when it mattered most.
Stokes and Archer combined at the crease to forge an unbeaten ninth-wicket partnership of 45 runs, offering England a slender lifeline.
Australia are closing in on retaining The Ashes
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The tourists concluded the day on 213-8, trailing by 158 runs, with Stokes unbeaten on 45 and Archer on 30.
Australia remain firmly positioned to retain the urn, with England needing victory to keep the series alive.