England's hopes of retaining the Ashes urn suffered a significant setback on a scorching and fractious second day of the third Test in Adelaide, where a heated on-field exchange between captain Ben Stokes and star bowler Jofra Archer compounded their troubles.
Fiery Exchange Mars England's Fightback
The tension boiled over during the morning session as Australia's lower-order batsmen extended their first innings. Jofra Archer, who was England's most successful bowler with an impressive five-wicket haul for 53 runs, appeared visibly frustrated with the field placements set by his captain. The disagreement culminated in a verbal clash between the two key players immediately after Archer finally dismissed Australian tailender Mitchell Starc.
England Wilt Under Intense Pressure and Heat
By the close of play, England's position looked precarious. They finished the day on 213 for 8 in their first innings, still trailing Australia's total of 371 by a substantial 158 runs. The physical toll was as severe as the scoreboard pressure, with reports indicating captain Ben Stokes was left "broken" by the extreme 40-degree Celsius heat. Stokes, who battled to an unbeaten 45 with the bat, suffered from severe cramping and nausea in the oppressive Adelaide conditions.
Australia Firmly in the Ascendancy
Australia's veteran spinner Nathan Lyon praised his team's disciplined bowling effort, which has put the hosts in a commanding position. Australia need just two more wickets to bowl England out when play resumes on day three, placing them firmly on course for a potentially series-defining victory. The combination of England's internal strife, the punishing weather, and a formidable Australian attack has left the tourists' Ashes ambitions hanging by a thread.
The incident between Stokes and Archer raises questions about team morale and strategy at a critical juncture in the series. With two full days remaining in Adelaide, England face a monumental task to salvage their innings and, ultimately, their hopes of winning back the Ashes on Australian soil.
