Australia v England Ashes recap – Tourists force final day in third Test but series defeat looks inevitable after late wickets

React to this story

TNT Sports’ live text coverage of the third Ashes Test, with England in huge trouble in their must-win encounter in Adelaide. Travis Head's knock of 170 pushed Australia into a mammoth lead early on Day 4, setting the tourists a target of 435, and they ended the day in a perilous situation. Watch every ball of the Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Highlights: England defiance not enough as Australia close in on series victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

England’s defiance not enough as Australia close in

Ashes 2025

Brook, Bethell cautioned for Wellington nightclub incident

01/04/2026 at 21:05

England are staring an Ashes series defeat in the face despite a spirited effort on day four in Adelaide.

Six wickets fell for just 78 more runs as Australia’s second innings was wrapped up by England’s quicks inside the first session of the day, with Travis Head finally out for 170 and Alex Carey missing out on back-to-back tons when he was dismissed for 72.

But England were still left with a mammoth target of 435 – a total that no team in Test history has ever successfully chased down in a fourth innings. And that task looked even greater when Ben Duckett (4) departed in the second over.

Ollie Pope’s chance to avoid what feels like the inevitable axe was missed when he fell for 17, with Marnus Labuschagne clinging on to a superb catch.

'As good as you'll see!' - Brilliant Labuschagne catch ends Pope's innings

Video credit: TNT Sports

Yet Zak Crawley may still have a future at the top of the order, helping stabilise the England effort with handy partnerships with Joe Root (39) and Harry Brook (30).

Root became Cummins’ third victim on his return to the Australian team after injury, edging behind, and Brook was the first of three wickets to fall to Nathan Lyon late in the day, as Australia’s premier spinner showed why he is one of the best of all time with an outstanding spell.

Ben Stokes was cleaned up by a ripper from Lyon for five to effectively end any remaining English hopes, before Crawley (85) missed out on a century when he was stumped by the ever-impressive Alex Carey off the spinner.

'That's a beauty' - Stokes dismissed by Lyon 'peach' as England comeback collapses

Video credit: TNT Sports

England will resume on day five with a near-impossible 228 runs still required on a turning fifth-day pitch, while Australia will be hopeful of picking up their four wickets quickly to seal the series win with time to spare on the final day.

Langer praises England’s ‘fight’ on day four

Justin Langer, chatting with TNT Sports after play today, says he’s been impressed with the fight shown by England, despite what looks like an inevitable loss waiting for them tomorrow:

"It’s going to be very difficult for England, obviously. What is great is that it’s gone to day five, we’ve been craving that. Today’s been a really good day’s cricket and this has been a really good Test match. Australia will probably retain the Ashes tomorrow, but it’s been nice to see a good fight."

England’s insurmountable task

To put the task that faced England at the start of this final innings into context, 435 would be the biggest total chased down in the final innings in the history of Test cricket, eclipsing West Indies' 418 against the Aussies in St John’s back in 2003.

The highest run chase to win in Adelaide is 315, way back in 1902, and England’s best in Ashes cricket was that 2019 Headingley miracle, where they overhauled 359 in the fourth innings.

Ashes 2025

What are the highest successful chases in Test cricket history? England eye mammoth Ashes task

20/12/2025 at 23:25

STUMPS: England 207-6 (Smith 2, Jacks 11) Overs: 63

Australia require four wickets | England need 228 runs

Travis Head sends down a maiden to end the evening session and the Adelaide Test will go into a final day, meaning that England have avoided suffering their quickest Ashes defeat since 1971.

But they will lose the Ashes tomorrow, barring an unprecedented miracle, with Australia needing four more wickets and England still 228 runs off what would be the highest-ever fourth-innings run chase in Test history

England 207-6 (Smith 2, Jacks 11) Overs: 62

Australia set England a record 435 to win

Australia are pushing for the wicket that could give them an additional half hour to try and wrap things up. Lyon races through his over, with men around the bat and England trying to take the Test to a fifth day.

England 205-6 (Smith 1, Jacks 10) Overs: 61

Australia set England a record 435 to win

Head gets another maiden to his name. He’s bowled pretty tidily today, giving Australia the chance to rest up their quicks during the hottest parts of the day and increasing the chance of Starc and Cummins starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

England 205-6 (Smith 1, Jacks 10) Overs: 60

Australia set England a record 435 to win

It’s another maiden for Nathan Lyon, who has been outstanding in this evening session. The cameras pan to the Barmy Army, who are having a terrific time, despite what’s occurring out in the middle. Their rehydration strategy may be playing a part in those positive vibes, potentially.

England 205-6 (Smith 1, Jacks 10) Overs: 59

Australia set England a record 435 to win

The 200 is up for England thanks to a drilled shot down the ground from Jacks. Carey thinks he’s got Jacks later in the over as the ball from Head slides past the edge, and Australia review. DRS says no edge, for what that’s worth.

England 199-6 (Smith 0, Jacks 5) Overs: 58

The ball is turning, there are players around the bat, and Australia’s tails are up. It must be horrible for this pair out there. One run comes from Lyon’s latest over.

England 198-6 (Smith 0, Jacks 4) Overs: 57

It’s spin from both ends as Travis Head comes back into the attack. He starts his spell with a maiden.

England 198-6 (Smith 0, Jacks 4) Overs: 56

Jacks gets the reverse out of the bag and hammers Lyon away to the boundary. It’s been spirited from England today, a much-improved showing, which only adds to the frustration of what we saw in the first two Tests.

England 194-6 (Smith 0, Jacks 0) Overs: 55

Boland continues with Australia requiring four more wickets to win the series and retain the Ashes. England are still 241 runs shy of what would be the biggest fourth-innings chase in the history of Test cricket. This is over bar the shouting I’m afraid.

WICKET! England 194-6 (Smith 0, Jacks 0) Overs: 54

Zak Crawley, st Carey b Lyon, 85 (151)

Crawley falls for 85 - 'surely the end is nigh for England'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Beautiful from Lyon and Carey, and Crawley’s defiant innings comes to an end.

There was some pressure on Lyon to deliver on a turning track here, and he’s stepped up with a terrific spell.

He draws Crawley forward and turns it past the edge, with Carey whipping off the bails with the England opener out of his ground.

This series doesn’t have long left as a contest. 3-0 is approaching rapidly.

England 194-5 (Crawley 85, Smith 0) Overs: 53

Boland continues as Australia target a win today. They could get the extra half hour potentially, if they can prize out a couple more.

WICKET! England 189-5 (Crawley 80) Overs: 52

Ben Stokes, b Lyon, 5 (18)

Oh that is a gem and Ben Stokes has to go, probably taking England’s dwindling hopes with him.

Lyon sends down a classic off-spin delivery, getting the ball to turn and castling the England captain.

'That's a beauty' - Stokes dismissed by Lyon 'peach' as England comeback collapses

Video credit: TNT Sports

England 188-4 (Crawley 79, Stokes 5) Overs: 51

England require 247 more runs

Boland is back into the attack and he sends down a floaty delivery in the channel that Stokes creams away for four. "England have done this well today," says Steven Finn on commentary, referring to the batting approach of putting the bad balls away without going too attacking.

England 183-4 (Crawley 78, Stokes 1) Overs: 50

England require 252 more runs

Lyon, buoyed by that wicket, continues. I think we can expect a very slow start from Stokes here, based on how he’s played in this series so far, particularly given the context of the match. England have batting to come, but the target is a very long way away still.

Crawley takes five runs from the over, including a sweep away for four.

England 178-4 (Crawley 73, Stokes 1) Overs: 49

England require 257 more runs

It’s a maiden for Starc as England regroup following that Brook dismissal. Both Brook and Root before him will be frustrated that they didn’t kick on after making a start, with both dismissed after misjudging their shot selection. But neither dismissal is a howler – it’s the sort of thing that happens in the fourth innings of a Test against a bowling attack of this quality.

WICKET! England 178-4 (Crawley 73, Stokes 1) Overs: 48

Harry Brook, b Lyon, 30 (56)

England require 257 more runs

Nathan Lyon is back into the attack and he gets the breakthrough for Australia, turning one quite sharply to beat Brook as he attempts a reverse sweep. Brook stands there, thinking he’s been stumped and was still in his ground, but the ball clipped the stumps on its way through, so he has to go.

Big wicket for Lyon as Brook perishes on reverse-sweep attempt

Video credit: TNT Sports

There may be some criticism for Brook about getting out to the reverse, but he and Crawley have played it very well today so that reaction is maybe a little bit out of date. It's a huge wicket for Australia though, leaving England's mammoth task looking even more insurmountable.

England 176-3 (Crawley 72, Brook 30) Overs: 47

England require 259 more runs

Australia turn to the short-ball theory to see if they can force an error from this England pair. Starc balloons one over the head of Brook for a wide, and the England batter responds by stepping to leg and flapping a high cut away for a slightly aggressive single. Australia have five fielders back on the leg side, but Crawley and Brook resist the temptation, with four singles coming from the over along with that extra.

England 171-3 (Crawley 70, Brook 28) Overs: 46

England require 264 more runs

The fifty stand comes up as Brook reverses Head from the first ball of the over.

And the runs flow as Head’s radar goes on the blink, with Brook leathering another reverse for four and Crawley driving a full toss to the rope.

13 runs come from the over in total as England step on the gas when the opportunity is presented to them.

England 158-3 (Crawley 65, Brook 20) Overs: 45

England require 277 more runs

It’s quite placid out there at the moment, but England still need 277 in their mammoth task of chasing down the biggest successful target in Test history.

Five runs come off Starc’s over, as Graeme Swann debates the merits of Australia risking having Starc ruled out of the attack for running on the pitch for a third time. He’s having fun today, is Swann, poking a few jibes Nathan Lyon’s way too.

England 153-3 (Crawley 61, Brook 19) Overs: 44

England require 282 more runs

Travis Head comes back into the attack, replacing Lyon, and immediately gets one to rip, tearing past the inside edge of Brook and offering a hint of a stumping chance that goes begging. That would have been really remarkable if Carey had taken that but it was a chance.

England bring up their 150 as five runs come from the over, and the players will take drinks.

England 148-3 (Crawley 57, Brook 19) Overs: 43

England require 287 more runs

Starc is brought back into the attack, coming around the wicket, partly to reduce the risk of encroaching onto the middle of the wicket in his follow-through.

Starc was warned by the umpire for running on the pitch twice earlier today, which means he’s one more incident away from being banned from bowling in the rest of the innings.

This, from the ICC Playing Conditions, explains why that would be the case:

41.13.1 It is unfair for a bowler to enter the protected area in his follow-through without reasonable cause, whether or not the ball is delivered.

41.13.4 If, in that innings, the same bowler contravenes this clause a third time, when the ball is dead, the umpire shall: direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling... The bowler taken off shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.

The umpires may then report the matter to the ICC Match Referee who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the bowler concerned.

England 143-3 (Crawley 56, Brook 15) Overs: 42

England require 292 more runs

Lyon appeals as the ball drifts down leg into the gloves of Carey, but that didn’t catch anything. The Barmy Army enjoyed that – they’ve been loudly appealing every time Australia make even the slightest noise out in the field, gently lampooning the hosts over their protests and claimed ground catches in the first innings.

Four runs come from the over, with Lyon starting to get his economy back under control.

England 139-3 (Crawley 53, Brook 14) Overs: 41

England require 296 more runs

Brook goes a bit more attacking for one of the first times today, whipping Boland away for four runs. But he’s given a warning next up as Carey takes one down the leg side, standing up to the stumps, and whips off the bails. Brook is safe, but that is such good wicketkeeping.

The target for England is down under 300 for the first time.

Ashes 2025

What are the highest successful chases in Test cricket history? England eye mammoth Ashes task

20/12/2025 at 23:25

England 135-3 (Crawley 53, Brook 10) Overs: 40

England require 300 more runs

Both Crawley and Brook bring out the reverse sweep against Lyon as the runs start to come again after that circumspect period.

England 131-3 (Crawley 52, Brook 7) Overs: 39

England require 304 more runs

Boland continues and it’s another maiden. Harry Brook has put the shots away so far today, playing the situation.

England 131-3 (Crawley 52, Brook 7) Overs: 38

England require 304 more runs

Lyon races through a maiden, looking for those footmarks to the right handers.

England 131-3 (Crawley 52, Brook 7) Overs: 37

England require 304 more runs

A remarkable stat: this is the 30th Test that Crawley and Brook have played together and only the second time that they’ve been out in the middle at the same time.

Boland continues and goes up for an lbw shout against Brook. After a lengthy discussion Australia opt not to review, and it’s a good call too, that looks like it was sliding down, and DRS agrees.

FIFTY! England 129-3 (Crawley 51, Brook 6) Overs: 36

England require 306 more runs

Lyon is back into the attack after Head’s nice little spell since tea, and Crawley starts the over by pushing him away for three to bring up his fifty. That’s a decent innings and England need him to go big here if they are to pull off a miracle.

Seven runs come from the over and Lyon’s figures are not great so far, 41/0 from seven sloppy overs.

England 123-3 (Crawley 47, Brook 4) Overs: 35

England require 312 more runs

Boland replaces Cummins in the attack and one single comes from the over as he keeps it tight with a good length and line (as he tends to do).

England 122-3 (Crawley 46, Brook 4) Overs: 34

England require 313 more runs

Head continues as a well-run three off the final ball of the over means four runs come from it as England tick over in this rebuild period.

England 118-3 (Crawley 43, Brook 3) Overs: 33

England require 317 more runs

Classic Crawley as he makes Cummins look easy to play with a bludgeoning pull away for four. That’s class, and an example of why England have stuck with him for so long.

England 113-3 (Crawley 39, Brook 2) Overs: 32

England require 322 more runs

Three singles come from Head’s latest over as this pair look to milk the part-time spinner. It’s fair to say England need something special, and these are two players who could potentially do that for them in this attempt to pull off the greatest run chase in Test history to keep the Ashes alive. No pressure then.

England 110-3 (Crawley 38, Brook 0) Overs: 31

England require 325 more runs

It’s another maiden for Cummins and this is simply brilliant stuff from Australia’s captain, who has come back after a lengthy lay-off and been right on the mark in this Test, showing why he is one of the best bowlers in the world. He’s been relentless, and it’s a painful reminder of why England really should have taken advantage of his absence in the first two matches in the series.

England 110-3 (Crawley 38, Brook 0) Overs: 30

England require 325 more runs

Head continues and he’s getting decent purchase too, ripping his first ball of the over and finding the inside edge of Crawley, with the looping ball dropping out of reach of short leg.

Just one run comes from the over and England are right under the pump at the moment.

WICKET! England 109-3 (Crawley 37) Overs: 29

Joe Root, c Carey b Cummins, 39 (63)

England require 326 more runs

The Australian skipper gets England’s main man with an absolute beauty, drawing Root into a prod in the channel and the edge carries through to Carey. That’s the 13th time Cummins has dismissed Root, and it’s a wicket maiden too. Root punches his bat in fury before departing the middle.

Captain Cummins strikes again to halt Root recovery

Video credit: TNT Sports

England 109-2 (Crawley 37, Root 39) Overs: 28

England require 326 more runs

It’s a bit of a surprise after tea as Travis Head is thrown the ball for the first over of the session, and he thinks he’s got Joe Root too, reviewing an lbw shout.

It doesn’t look great, but DRS has it much closer than the naked eye, clipping the top of off. Root survives on umpire’s call.

TEA RECAP: WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR

So Australia are still in complete control of this match, with England to resume on 106/2 and facing a record target of 435 (329 more runs) to win.

But… this has been England’s day so far, and given how the series has gone, let’s take that.

England’s bowlers rattled through Australia in the first session, taking the final six wickets for just 78 more runs, with Travis Head finally out for 170 and Alex Carey missing out on back-to-back tons when he was dismissed for 72.

Head finally falls after superb innings, caught on 170

Video credit: TNT Sports

Josh Tongue returned the pick of the figures with 4/70, and Brydon Carse got the tail-end wickets he deserved for a much-improved display, taking 3/80.

Jofra Archer (1/20) came back to wrap up the innings with a smart caught-and-bowled, and Ben Stokes got through seven overs, which was a boost after he didn’t bowl on day three.

Carey goes as Stokes takes milestone 50th Ashes wicket

Video credit: TNT Sports

Set a record 435 to win, England lost Ben Duckett (4) before lunch, with the opener’s disappointing series continuing as he was caught in the slips by Labuschagne off Pat Cummins to just the second ball he faced in the innings.

'Disaster for England!' - Cummins takes Duckett with second ball

Video credit: TNT Sports

And Ollie Pope added just 17 before he was sent packing courtesy of an absolutely stunning chat from Labuschagne, again off Cummins, towards the start of the second session, leaving England in a heap of trouble on 31/2.

'As good as you'll see!' - Brilliant Labuschagne catch ends Pope's innings

Video credit: TNT Sports

But Zak Crawley and Joe Root stabilised things through the second session, steering England to 106/2 at tea and giving the tiniest glimpse of hope for any fans who set an early alarm.

Watch the Ashes on TNT Sports and Discovery+

Watch and stream every ball of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Day 4

Welcome to TNT Sports' live text coverage of the third NRMA Insurance men's Ashes Test.

England are in a perilous position. Australia's final six wickets fell this morning, but the commanding lead built by Travis Head and co. left a target of 435.

That would be a record-breaking fourth-innings run chase, if England were to pull it off.

It looks unlikely. In the nine minutes of play before lunch, Ben Duckett fell to Pat Cummins' second ball.

Just as Ollie Pope looked to have stabilised, Marnus Labuschagne produced a sensational catch to see off the England No. 3.

- - -

Watch every ball of the Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Ashes 2025

'A terrible mistake' - Brook 'extremely sorry' for bouncer incident before dismal Ashes

21/01/2026 at 11:00

Ashes 2025

Anderson: England 'in stronger position than Australia' despite Ashes humbling

10/01/2026 at 10:28