The Ashes 2025 LIVE: Stokes leads fightback as England cut into lead as Aussies take new ball

Terrific batting from England as Jofra Archer records his highest Test score. His next best?

Last Test in Brisbane when he made 38.

Jofra Archer of England bats watched Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey.Credit: Getty Images

These were Archer’s Test scores before this Ashes series: 12, 7, 15, 1, 1, 9, 3, 4, 30, 8, 3, 4, 0, 23, 3, 16, 0, 5, 11, 0, 4, 5*, 2*.

A new ball is a double-edged sword. It’ll swing more, but it pings off the bat.

A Stokes hundred isn’t out of the equation.

England are 8-261 with Stokes on 72 and Archer on 48.