How ‘exceptional’ Jofra Archer silenced critics with stunning spell in third Test - ‘Backbone of the England side’
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Published 17/12/2025 at 11:25 GMT
England's NRMA Insurance men's Ashes hopes were further tested as Australia reached 326-8 on the opening day of the third Test. Alex Carey’s 106 made the most of slow conditions and intense heat in Adelaide but an outstanding spell from Jofra Archer, who claimed 3-29 from 16 overs, including two wickets in the first over after lunch, led the charge and was a reminder of his qualities.
Highlights: England star in the field but Carey century gives Australia hope on Day One
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jofra Archer provided a timely reminder of his importance if England are to have any chance of dragging themselves back into the NRMA Insurance men's Ashes series after his devastating spell on day one of the third Test in Adelaide, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Archer claimed the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the first three balls of the afternoon session, putting the hosts firmly on the backfoot.
It left Alex Carey and Usman Khawaja needing to steady the Australia innings, which they duly did before Steve Smith's late replacement Khawaja was dismissed by Will Jacks just before tea for 82.
Carey was on 72 when he survived appeals that he nicked it behind, with Snicko failing to provide conclusive evidence as the Australian wicket-keeper ploughed on to reach his third Test century in the evening session (106).
Australia closed on 326-8 - but there was no glitch when it came to Archer's performance, with the England fast bowler putting his tense exchange with Smith at the end of the eight-wicket defeat in the second Test behind him.
Justin Langer, who won four Ashes series with Australia, told TNT Sports: "Jofra Archer - credit where credit's due. He got a lot of criticism, and there's been a lot of talk about that last, beautiful exchange in Brisbane with Steve Smith, but a lot of us thought he did it too early.
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'He's been brilliant today' - Swann praises 'exceptional' Archer after Day 1 heroics
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"But the way he fought back... he was the backbone of the England side today. He was brilliant."
Fellow pundit Graeme Swann, who took 255 Test wickets for England, agreed with Langer's assessment and feels the criticism Archer received following The Gabba sledging battle was unfair.
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"Eight wickets on that pitch on day one is perfect," Swann told TNT Sports. "Obviously, England now need to turn up tomorrow and do the job, get the other two wickets.
"But I firmly believe that on that pitch, which is a very good batting pitch - 450, 500 minimum in the first innings is going to win you the Test match.
"England have bowled themselves into a position where they will bat on day two and three, the two best batting days on this pitch.
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Langer says England should take advantage of 'batting paradise' on Day 2 in Adelaide
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"Jofra Archer, especially, stood out, after the criticism he received after Brisbane, which I thought was harsh at the time. People were saying after the way he bowled in the second innings, 'why couldn't he do that in the first innings?'
"He bowled brilliantly today. He's been aggressive, he's been at the batsmen, and he's conceded less than 30 runs for three wickets. He's been exceptional."
Archer struck early by removing Jake Weatherald and then halted Australia's momentum with a rapid double breakthrough after lunch, spearheading a collective bowling effort that pleased England bowling coach David Saker.
Josh Tongue, replacing Gus Atkinson as England's sole change, impressed with figures of 1-63, while Brydon Carse (2-70) repaid Ben Stokes' faith with important spells.
Saker acknowledged the performance of Archer in particular, telling TNT Sports: "I think he had a point to prove and I thought he sustained his pace today and really attacked the stumps well. A good performance, but I thought it was backed up by everybody.
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'The umpire is not convinced' - Alex Carey survives caught behind scare in third Ashes Test
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"I thought Will Jacks did a pretty good job. I thought it was a good performance from our bowlers. It's never easy day one in Adelaide, so the boys toiled away. I thought it was a really good effort.
"We haven't really panicked. We think we've had stints where we've been really good. In Brisbane, in the first innings, we had stints when we were quite poor with the ball.
"But we know what we needed to do. We need to get the ball into a challenging area for long periods of time. Bowling is not rocket science. It's about getting the ball in the right areas enough times.
"We mixed our lengths too much in Brisbane, and we got back to a pretty good length today. I thought we were threatening for good periods of time."
Thoughts?
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