Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer were involved in a furious on-field bust-up as lip readers spotted the England's captain dig at the star bowler.
Australia added 45 runs to their overnight total of 326-8 on the second day of the third Test.
The day began in frustrating fashion for England, who watched Mitchell Starc score 54 before being bowled by Archer.
After Starc's dismissal, Stokes and Archer clashed in a heated on-field discussion over the field placings and their plan of attack to the Aussie tail.
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According to Fox Sports, Stokes told Archer: "Mate, don’t complain about the field placings when you bowl sh*t."
He then seemed to add 'bowl on the stumps and look what happens' before also appearing to tell Archer to 'shut the f**k up' when he hit back.
Mark Waugh was critical of England's field placings and suggested Archer was not bowling according to instructions.
"That was a breakdown in communication," he explained.
"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'."
Adam Gilchrist added: "That strong discussion between Archer and Stokes, that’s intriguing."
England's leading quick bowler ended up claiming a five-wicket haul, securing impressive figures of 5-53, including the dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green.
Following their on-field disagreement, Archer joined Stokes at the crease after the wicket of Brydon Carse.
They put on 45 in their ninth wicket partnership and are both still at the crease ahead of day three.
Stokes and Archer will return to the middle on 45 and 30 respectively.
The England skipper batted for four and a half hours in 40 degrees heat in Adelaide, facing 151 balls.
"He’s worn out as you can imagine. Lots of cramping, he’s struggling to get the fluids in, he’s struggling to get the carbohydrates in, as he says he feels pretty sick," England batting coach Marcus Trescothick said of Stokes.
"He’s pretty broken in there at the moment."
England trail Australia by 158 runs with just two first innings wickets remaining.
Nasir Jabbar