Adelaide, December 20, 2025: Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins claimed three wickets apiece to push Australia within striking distance of the Ashes, leaving England six wickets down while chasing a daunting 435-run target on the penultimate day of the third Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
At stumps on day four, England were reeling at 207/6, with all-rounder Will Jacks and wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith unbeaten on 11 and two, respectively. The pair will resume the chase on the final day, still needing 228 runs to avoid an innings defeat and hand Australia a series-clinching victory.
Australia began the day at 271/4 in their second innings and added 78 runs before being bowled out for 349 in 84.4 overs. Marnus Head, resuming his innings alongside Alex Carey, added 28 more to finish unbeaten on a monumental 170 off 219 balls, featuring 16 fours and two sixes. Carey contributed a solid 72, including six boundaries, before falling to a Ben Stokes bumper.
Following Carey’s dismissal, England’s pacers dismantled Australia’s tail, taking the remaining four wickets in just 38 deliveries while conceding only 20 runs. Josh Tongue led the attack with four wickets, Brydon Carse claimed three, and Jofra Archer, Stokes, and Will Jacks picked up one each.
With Australia leading the five-match series 2-0, a win in Adelaide would secure the Ashes for the hosts, putting England under immense pressure to mount a historic comeback in the final Test.
