Australia made an immediate breakthrough on the morning of Day 2 of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, with Pat Cummins dismissing England opener Zak Crawley to put the visitors under early pressure. Resuming at 371 in reply to Australia’s first-innings total, England lost their first wicket with just 37 runs on the board.
Cummins, leading the side after returning to the XI, produced a probing back-of-a-length delivery outside off stump that seamed away late. Crawley, who had looked unusually restrained at the crease, could only manage a tentative push, edging the ball through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Carey completed a sharp catch behind the stumps as Cummins celebrated his first wicket of the Ashes 2025–26 series.
Crawley departed for 9 off 19 balls, failing to find his usual rhythm after a watchful start. The early dismissal ensured Australia maintained the upper hand after posting a competitive 371 in their first innings, built around Alex Carey’s century and vital contributions from Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Starc.
At the time of the breakthrough, England were 38 for 1, still trailing by 333 runs, with Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope tasked with steadying the innings. With conditions offering movement and Australia’s bowlers fresh, the hosts will be keen to build on the early momentum and tighten their grip on the Test.
