Australia appeared a real chance to close out the second Test early on day four when the tourists resumed at 6-134 in their second dig, 43 runs behind Australia's 511.
Captain Stokes (36no) appeared the man to keep England's hopes of victory on life support and helped steady the ship following the tourists' collapse of 6-80 under lights on Saturday.
That meant slowing the run-rate to 3.27, well below England's usual figures when sticking to the Bazball playbook.
When Stokes' batting partner Will Jacks (25no) pulled to mid-wicket around 20 minutes before tea, England had taken the lead.
England went to the break 6-193 in the day-night Test, 16 runs ahead.
Stokes' best knock in Australia is 120, made during the 2013/14 Ashes, and it appears likely the allrounder will need a score in that neighbourhood if England are to remain in the contest.
Any lead of around 150 will make for a nervous chase for Australia, particularly given part of their second dig could now come under lights.
Stokes literally broke his bat attempting to fire England back into the game.
He needed a new willow to be brought on after driving Brendan Doggett (0-36) to cover midway through the session.
Stokes then survived a dramatic attempt at a slips catch from the towering Cameron Green, who leapt high but missed Stokes' outside edge off Scott Boland (2-47).
Steve Smith was unable to throw the ball to the reliable Nathan Lyon in search of a breakthrough wicket after the spinner was controversially dropped so Australia could play an all-pace attack.
When none of those four quicks could find a breakthrough, Smith went to Green (0-6), who looked dangerous in his three overs.
Part-time tweaker Travis Head (0-1) was given a chance at Australia's first over of spin for the match, before Marnus Labuschagne (0-3) rolled out his medium pace in a sign Australia were getting desperate.
Neither could find an elusive wicket for the session.
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