Jofra Archer produced a memorable all-round performance in the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, bringing up his maiden Test half-century after already claiming a five-wicket haul in Australia’s first innings.
Archer reached the landmark with a driven single through point off Pat Cummins, drawing loud applause from the Adelaide crowd as he raised his bat. Batting in difficult conditions against a relentless Australian attack, the England fast bowler showed composure and resilience, scoring 50 runs off 98 balls, anchoring the lower order when England were in trouble.
Earlier in the match, Archer had been England’s standout bowler, ripping through Australia’s batting lineup with pace and hostility to register his fourth five-for in Test cricket. His spell played a key role in restricting Australia to 371, keeping England in contention despite the challenging surface.
With England nine wickets down and still trailing, Archer’s innings proved crucial in narrowing the deficit and frustrating the Australian bowlers during the opening session of Day 3. His knock added to an already impressive match performance, underlining his value as a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder in red-ball cricket.
The rare feat of a five-wicket haul and a Test fifty in the same match places Archer in elite company and provided England with a much-needed lift in a fiercely contested Ashes encounter at Adelaide.
