Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer Clash as England Struggles in Ashes Heat

Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer had a tense exchange during the second day of the Ashes series in Adelaide. This came as England struggled to maintain their footing against Australia, who appeared to be gaining a firm control over the match. With temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius, controversy surrounding the Snicko technology further added to the tensions on the field.

Match Summary

At the end of day two, England found themselves at 213 for 8, trailing Australia’s first innings score of 371 by 158 runs. Australia had begun the day at 326 for 8 and benefited from Mitchell Starc’s crucial fifty, which helped extend their lead.

Bowling Highlights

• Jofra Archer stood out among England’s bowlers, claiming five wickets while conceding 53 runs in 20.2 overs.
• Despite the heated moment with Stokes, Archer managed to secure the final two wickets.
• England’s performance with the bat included Stokes scoring 45 not out and Archer contributing 30 runs.

Stokes’s Struggles

After the day’s play, England’s batting coach, Marcus Trescothick, discussed Stokes’ condition. He noted that Stokes bowled 19 overs and faced 151 balls at bat, stating that the heat had taken a toll on him. Trescothick mentioned that Stokes was “broken” and experiencing cramping due to the conditions.

Quotes from the Field

Speaking about Stokes, Trescothick said, “He’s worn out. He’s cramping often and trying to get fluids in.” He emphasized the importance of recovery for Stokes in preparation for the following day’s play.

Australia’s Strong Position

Australia’s Nathan Lyon praised the team’s bowling efforts, indicating they were well-prepared for the next day. He mentioned, “Pretty proud about how the boys went about it,” highlighting the effectiveness of the fast bowlers.

Looking Ahead

The third day is poised to be decisive as Australia returns to the pitch needing just 11 more overs before they can take a new ball. With the pressure mounting on England, the team will have to rally together to challenge Australia’s lead.