The third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval is set for a decisive Day 5 finish, marking the first match of the series to go into the final day, with Australia firmly in control and just four wickets away from retaining the Ashes.
At stumps on Day 4, England were 207 for 6 in their second innings, chasing a daunting 435-run target. With 228 runs still required and only four wickets in hand, Australia are overwhelming favourites to secure victory and take an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five-match series.
Australia’s dominance was built on a commanding second-innings performance earlier in the day. Resuming with a strong platform, the hosts were led by Travis Head’s superb 170, which pushed Australia to 349 and set England an almost impossible chase. England eventually bowled Australia out before lunch, but the damage had already been done.
England’s reply began shakily as Ben Duckett fell early, and pressure continued to mount as wickets fell at regular intervals. Nathan Lyon produced a decisive spell, removing key batters including Ben Stokes and Harry Brook, swinging momentum firmly Australia’s way. Lyon finished Day 4 with three wickets, keeping England under constant pressure.
There was some resistance from Zak Crawley, who top-scored with a fighting knock before falling late in the day, while Joe Root’s dismissal by Pat Cummins — his 13th time falling to the Australian captain in Tests — further dented England’s hopes.
Late in the evening session, Will Jacks and Jamie Smith showed resilience, batting out the final overs to ensure England survived to Day 5. However, with the target still far away and Australia’s bowlers fresh, the task remains monumental.
As play resumes on Day 5, Australia need just four more wickets to wrap up the Test and retain the Ashes, while England require a near-miraculous effort to keep the series alive heading into the Melbourne and Sydney Tests.
