England ended day 2 on 213/8 with them still trailing 158 runs behind Australia's 371 in third Test.
Resuming at 326/8, Mitchell Starc looked in top form as he targeted England's bowlers. The left-handed batsman smacked four boundaries in rapid succession to reach his half-century, and England appeared to have no answer.
Stokes was spotted speaking with Archer, and the England captain appeared to be frustrated with the pacer's lack of control.
As per Fox Sports Australia, the argument was about the field placings, as lip-readers figured out what Stokes said to Archer.
“Mate, don’t complain about the field placings when you bowl shit,” Stokes appeared to tell his teammate.
He then seemed to add, “Bowl on the stumps and look what happens,” before also appearing to tell his leading quick to “shut the f*** up” when he fired back.
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Mark Waugh, a Fox Cricket analyst, was harshly critical of England's failure to deploy a third man this morning, but Archer may not have been bowling according to plan in his salvo against Australia's tail.
“That was a breakdown in communication. Whether they got plans and haven’t executed the plans, or Jofra’s saying, “I need a third man,” Stokes has said, “Nah, that is where I wanted you to bowl,” Waugh said.
Archer started the day with 3-29 from 16 overs and concluded with 5-53 from 20.2 overs, including trapping Nathan Lyon LBW for nine with another excellent delivery. However, Australia was able to add another 45 runs in just over eight overs, pushing their total to 371.
In response, England finished day 2 on 213/8, with Harry Brook (45), Ben Stokes (45*), and Jofra Archer (30*) battling it out to lessen the deficit.
(IANS inputs)