PIX: England's Ashes hopes in tatters as Aus in command

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Last updated on: December 18, 2025 13:38 IST

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Images from Day 2 of the 3rd Ashes Test in Adelaide on Thursday.

Pat Cummins celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Jamie Smith

IMAGE: Pat Cummins celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Jamie Smith. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

Nearly four years of Ashes planning was left in smouldering ruins on Thursday as England buckled under the heat and the pressure at Adelaide Oval to lurch towards a series-deciding defeat in the third test against Australia.

 

On a day of roasting temperatures and fresh controversy involving the "Snicko" review technology, England were 213 for eight at stumps on day two, still 158 runs short in their reply to Australia's first innings 371.

England captain Ben Stokes (45 not out) and Jofra Archer (30 not out) showed courage to keep the ninth wicket intact for 45 runs, but their late resistance could do little to make up for failures higher up the order.

Leading 2-0 in the series, Australia need only draw the match to retain the urn they have held since 2017/18.

But there was little sign the hosts would be content with anything less than another crushing win after their comfortable victories in Perth and Brisbane.

There was certainly no easing back into the action for Australia's returning captain Pat Cummins and recalled spinner Nathan Lyon, who combined to blitz England's top order before lunch.

Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer led England's late resistance  

IMAGE: Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer led England's late resistance. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

A Snicko controversy had engulfed day one and a new one flared late on day two.

England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was at the centre of the confusion, first surviving a caught-behind appeal when on 16 then being given out caught behind for 22 when he appeared to completely miss a Cummins ball.

With third umpire Chris Gaffaney having to rule on both decisions, Snicko only appeared to muddy the waters rather than clear up matters.

Australia paceman Mitchell Starc said Snicko needed to be "sacked" after Smith's earlier reprieve, while Smith left the field furious when he was eventually dismissed.

When focus shifted back to the cricket, England ended up losing 3-9 to fall to 168 for eight courtesy of a two-wicket burst from Scott Boland before Archer joined Stokes to push England past 200.

Australia's Pat Cummins celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root, caught be Alex Carey

IMAGE: Pat Cummins celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Joe Root, caught behind by Alex Carey. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

England were 132 for five at tea on day two of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, trailing Australia's first innings 371 by 239 runs.

England captain Ben Stokes was 19 not out, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith on five at the break after Australia captain Pat Cummins and recalled spinner Nathan Lyon combined to blitz the top order as temperatures rose above 40 degrees Celsius (104F).

Cameron Green celebrates with teammates after dismissing Harry Brook.

IMAGE: Cameron Green celebrates with teammates after dismissing Harry Brook. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

Cummins had Joe Root caught behind for 19 after lunch to take his second wicket before all-rounder Cameron Green broke a 56-run partnership between Stokes and Harry Brook by having Brook nick behind for 45.

Earlier, England lost 3-5 in a collapse before lunch after openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett had built a 37-run partnership.

Nathan Lyon celebrates the wicket of Ollie Pope

IMAGE: Nathan Lyon celebrates the wicket of Ollie Pope. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters

Then two quick strikes from Nathan Lyon put England in a massive spot of bother as they ended the first session three wickets down.

At the end of the session, England was 59/3, with Joe Root (11*) and Harry Brook (6*) unbeaten. They trail by 312 runs.

 

Earlier, Australia were dismissed for 371 in the first innings early on day two of the third Ashes test at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

Australia added 45 runs to their overnight total of 326 for eight after resuming on a hot and sunny morning.

Mitchell Starc celebrates his half-century 

IMAGE: Mitchell Starc celebrates his half-century. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters

Mitchell Starc raised his second successive half-century of the series before being bowled for 54 by seamer Jofra Archer.The Australian quick smashed five fours off Archer and BrydonCarse in an explosive start.

Archer trapped Nathan Lyon lbw for nine to wrap up the innings, leading England with 5-53.

Starc started the day on a positive note for the Aussies, smashing two boundaries each against Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse.

He reached fifty of the series in 73 balls, with eight fours, continuing a dream run in the series.

England's Jofra Archer raises the ball after a five wicket haul

IMAGE: Jofra Archer raises the ball after a five wicket haul. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

However, soon after Jofra Archer trapped Nathan Lyon for a 35-ball 9. Australia was skittled out for 371 in 91.2 overs.

Archer (5/53) was the star for England, while Brydon Carse and Will Jacks chipped in with two wickets. Josh Tongue got one.

England started their first innings on an aggressive note, with Duckett collecting four boundaries in the first four overs against Starc and skipper Pat Cummins.

However, England's fortunes started taking a hit as Zak Crawley (9 in 19 balls) nicked it to Alex Carey, giving skipper Cummins his first wicket of the series.

Nathan Lyon celebrates the wicket of Ben Duckett, to go past Glenn McGrath as the 2nd highest Test wicket taker for Australia

IMAGE: Nathan Lyon celebrates the wicket of Ben Duckett, to go past Glenn McGrath as the 2nd highest Test wicket taker for Australia. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters

Lyon struck twice in the ninth over, getting Ollie Pope caught by Josh Inglis for a 10-ball 3, continuing his flop run in the series.

The offie ended the over by trapping Duckett lbw for a 30-ball 29, with five fours and England in all sorts of trouble at 42/3 in 10 overs.

Lyon also went past Glenn McGrath to become Australia's second-highest Test wicket-taker behind late spin wizard Shane Warne (708).

England reached their 50-run mark in 12.4 overs as Joe Root and Harry Brook made sure England played out rest of the session without any losses.