Ben Stokes had dropped anchor and found an able ally in Jofra Archer to lead England’s fightback in the first innings of the Adelaide Test against Australia. After being reduced to 168/8 while responding to Australia’s 371-all out, Stokes and Archer stitched a century stand for the 9th wicket.
Both struck half-centuries as they reduced the first innings deficit to double figures.
However, Mitchell Starc, as he has often done in the ongoing Ashes series, produced a peach of a delivery to break the partnership when he cleaned up Stokes on 83 to end Australia’s frustration. The wicket ended Stokes’ 106-run partnership with Archer.
And his reaction said it all.
The England Test captain was absolutely livid with himself as he jumped, tossed his bat and kept
muttering to himself while leaving the field.
OH MY WORD WHAT A SEED FROM MITCH STARC!#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/1z4idDsklT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 19, 2025
It was the 12th time that Starc has dismissed Stokes in Test cricket, second best behind R. Ashwin’s record of 13. England were eventually bowled out for 286, conceding a lead of 85 runs. Archer was the last man out on 51 off 105 – his maiden Test half-century.
Stokes battled leg cramps and dehydration during his gutsy rearguard action in punishing heat on Thursday. This was his slowest ever 50 in Tests as he took 159 balls to get to the milestone.
Harry Brook also showed some fight, hitting 45 off 63 before becoming Cameron Green’s only victim of the innings.
For Australia, Scott Boland and captain Pat Cummins took three wickets each while Nathan Lyon chipped in with a couple of strikes that saw him surpass the legendary Glenn McGrath in the list of highest wicket-takers in Test history.
England lost the first Test at Perth inside two days and the second in Brisbane inside four, both by eight wickets, and are in a must-win situation in Adelaide to keep Australia from retaining the Ashes.
