England’s Ashes tour from hell has sunk to another new low as Australia took firm control of the third Test at Adelaide Oval.
England skipper Ben Stokes battled cramp and another disintegrating batting line up to hold up Australia’s relentless progress towards what seems like an inevitable series victory, barring some minor miracle for the tourists.
Stokes, a staunch advocate for attacking play, made a gruelling 151-ball, 45, his stay at the crease in excess of four hours as he played another lone hand in temperatures that reached over 40 degrees Celsius in South Australia.
England ended the day 8-213 — Jofra Archer the other not out batter on 30 (48) —still trailing by 158 runs on a pitch already showing signs of turn.Â
The cracks in England’s much-tested resolve were visible in the opening overs of the day, when Archer’s persistent short-pitched, wide bowling and Brydon Carse’s desperately poor spell allowed the Aussies to score eight fours in the first 30 balls as Mitch Starc (54), Nathan Lyon (9) and Scott Boland (14 not out) added 45 runs to the hosts’ overnight score, eventually bowled out for 371.
Archer did eventually castle Starc, bowled by one of the very few deliveries that would have gone on to hit the stumps from England’s wayward strike bowlers — but copped an ear full from his skipper for his ill-discipline with the ball.
Ben Stokes struggled throughout the final session with cramp. (Getty Images: Philip Brown)
Archer would, in the end, go on to take 5-53 and may have looked forward to sitting in the air con as temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius at Adelaide Oval.
Instead, due to some right bowling from the Aussies and more poor shot selection from England’s top order, he was back out batting soon after tea — and doing far better than some of his higher-rated colleagues with the bat.
Zak Crawley was dismissed by the returning Pat Cummins for just 9, before Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets in his first over of the match — and just his third of the Ashes series — to have Ollie Pope caught by Josh Inglis off a foolish shot to midwicket, before bowling Ben Duckett with a really good delivery that turned enough to beat the bat and take is off stump.
Nathan Lyon took two wickets in two balls in his first over. (Getty Images: Robert Cianflone)
Those two wickets were enough for Lyon to overtake Glenn McGrath as Australia’s second highest wicket taker in Test cricket.
Joe Root survived a contentious not out call when he was on 0 after an inside edge that ballooned off his pad was deemed to have fallen just short of Carey.
But he didn’t last long after lunch in any case, Pat Cummins finding his outside edge with a ball that just moved enough off the seam to be out for 19.
Harry Brook and Stokes knuckled down before Brook (45) was caught on his crease, edging behind to Carey.
Then, even more controversy.Â
Joe Root was caught behind after an earlier close call with DRS. (Getty Images: Robbie Stephenson/PA Images)
Jamie Smith survived a call that exposed Snicko as not fit for purpose when the ball feathered his glove on the way through to Usman Khawaja, who could not take the catch diving forward from first slip in any case as it bounced just before getting to the Queensland batter.
However, it was the clear deflection off the glove that did not align with the sound on Snicko and was therefore missed by the umpires that caused most consternation among the Australian fielders.
Then, another Snicko issue cost the England keeper his wicket for 22, a faint murmur on the sound chart that did not spike when the ball passed the bat. The murmur was considered enough to convince the umpires that he had to go, with Ben Stokes motionless, head down, arms folded in disappointment at another soft dismissal that was likely correct, but was far less clear than Alex Carey’s non-call on day one.
From there, it went downhill fast for England, Stokes struggling with cramp as Will Jacks (6) fell to a brilliant piece of keeping by Carey, the South Australian standing up to Boland and diving to pouch a tough inside edge chance, before Carse came and went clean bowled by the relentless Boland for another duck.
Archer counter attacked, helping Stokes limp to the close as part of a crucial 45-run partnership that just allowed a glimmer of hope to remain.
Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog. below.
Key Events
13h ago13 hours agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 7:02am
14h ago14 hours agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 5:54am
14h ago14 hours agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 5:47am
Show all key events20h agoWed 17 Dec 2025 at 11:45pmLive updates: Ashes third Test, day two
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 7:16am
Goodbye!
Much respect for Stokes!
His team may crumble around him but he almost always makes a stand out there, the thin red line for England.
– Doc
Well, what a day of hard-fought, exhilarating, exhausting Test match cricket.
Bonkers.
I think Doc sums it all up pretty well.
England’s captain courageous ensures his side aren’t done yet.
We’ll see you tomorrow!
Until then, go well.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 7:12am
Australia’s immaculate bowling efforts
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Australia’s bowling was nothing short of sensational today.
Pat Cummins rotated his quicks to perfection, ensuring they all were able to cycle through short, sharp and effective spells.
Three wickets to Cummins, two to Scott Boland and one to Cam Green.
And on his return to the Test team, Nathan Lyon was immaculate, picking up two wickets in a triumphant first over.
He’s talking to Fox Cricket, and is looking far form “absolutely filthy” on the Adelaide Oval boundary.
“It’s been a pretty tough day, nice and hot out there, but nice to contribute and finally get into the series,” Lyon says.
“There’s no secret behind what I do, it’s just about doing the basics for a long period of time and hopefully create a bit of pressure.”
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 7:02amStumps: England 8-213 (trailing Australia by 158 runs)
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With that flurry of wickets and DRS debacle early in the session, England could well have lost the Ashes in that final over of play.
But they didn’t.
Ben Stokes, who batted for over four hours for his 151-ball 45*, stood firm in the face of a scorching Adelaide afternoon, and was ably partnered by a defiant Jofra Archer down the other end.
The pair have put on 45 so far and have brought England within 160 runs of Australia’s total.
Sure, it’s no cause for celebration for the Barmy Army, who must be nearing heatstroke after a full day on the hill, but it’s something.
They will watch their team fight another day on tomorrow.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:59am
68th over – Lyon to take us to the close
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What a lionhearted effort from Ben Stokes today.
The England captain is exhausted, suffering from cramp and facing Nathan Lyon, who is coming at him from around the wicket.
Stokes is defending with every last fibre of his being.
But he’s doing it well.
Twice.
Lyon comes over the wicket, and with the ball pitching well outside leg, Stokes is defending with his front pad.
And then using his bat to the same effect.
One more to come.
Lyon comes back around the wicket and Stokes is forward and defending. That’s stumps.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:54am
67th over – Green to bowl the penultimate over of the day
You’d imagine so, anyway.
Seven minutes remaining in the day’s play.
You can feel the exhaustion out there as Cam Green runs in to begin his eighth set of the day.
He bangs in a short one and Jofra Archer is underneath it.
Archer does well to defend a couple.
Another massive pause as Green returns to his mark. He comes in very wide on the crease for his second last delivery of the day. Archer is defending.
And he’s coming around the wicket for his final rock.
It’s short.
Archer is underneath it.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:51am
66th over – Lyon to bowl another as shadows lengthen in Adelaide
Ben Stokes is really limping out there now. I think it’s just cramp. But either way, it can’t be pleasant.
He backs away and pushes to Jack Weatherald on the off-side boundary for a single.
Jofra Archer has five to negotiate.
He is defending the first.
There’s a pronounced pause as Lyon and Cummins conspire to set the perfect field.
A lovely delivery from Lyon! It’s flighted, gripping and turning and catching Archer on the glove. The ball goes to ground quickly.
Archer works a single down the ground to end the over.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:46am
65th over – Green goes again with 15 minutes to play
Around the wicket and angling into Ben Stokes, Cam Green has a slip and a gully to work with.
It’s full and on the stumps, and Stokes does well to jam down on the ball and keep it out.
Green brings his length back a touch and Stokes is defending once more.
More flatbatting from Stokes. What an effort from the England captain, cramps and all.
He’s now seven runs from his half-century. But with 12 minutes remaining in the day’s play, I doubt the England captain will be going milestone hunting before stumps.
He works a single through the leg-side to conclude the over and retain the strike.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:41am
64th over – Cummins continues to Archer
On a good length outside off, Cummins has Archer defending off the back foot.
Archer takes the short ball on! The tailender swivels and controls it well, firing it to the leg-side sweeper on the bounce. A single to the total.
The pauses between balls are getting longer here.
Cummins returns to his mark and eventually steams in, releasing a 111km/hr slower ball. Stokes is defending.
A bouncer to end the over. Stokes is playing a controlled pull-shot out to the sweeper and he runs a single to retain strike.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:38am
63rd over – Green returns as Stokes and Archer fight on
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Cam Green is angling into Ben Stokes. The England captain grimaces in pain as the first ball of the over catches the inside edge of the bat and thuds into, well, there….
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Ouch.
Stokes is back up and pulling Green for a single.
Up! Jofra Archer is swinging wildly at a Cam Green bouncer. The ball balloons high, and Marnus Labuschagne is diving spectacularly in the deep. He makes good ground but the ball bounces just before reaching him and that’s four.
Archer accrues a single from the final ball of the over.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:31am
62nd over – Cummins brings himself back on
And good on him for doing so.
I wouldn’t be putting my hand up for fast bowling duties in the dying embers of a 40 degree day.
Stokes works a single and then Jofra does the same with a pleasant flick through midwicket.
45 runs this pair have added.
The batters run a quick single and England passes 200!
The Barmy Army are up on their feet.
Archer is doing well to sway out of the way of a Cummins short ball.
Big swing! Archer is pulling aerially. Brendon Doggett, on the field as a substitute, is diving inspirationally, but in vain. He collects the ball on the bounce.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:25am
61st over – Starc continues
The temperature in Adelaide remains close to 40 degrees.
And Mitchell Starc is keeping his pace close to 150km/hr.
His first ball of the over is wide and down the leg side, but hurtling down at 147 clicks.
Outrageous stuff from Starc.
Ben Stokes works a single and Jofra Archer returns the favour.
Stokes is up and pulling Starc forward of square for another single.
Amidst the drama, this is another marathon, defiant innings from Stokes. He’s now faced 139 balls for his 39.
Archer is defending to end the over.
13h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:22am
60th over – Lyon around the wicket to Stokes
And the England captain is backing away and creaming one to a diving short-cover. It’s a good stop that saves four runs.
Ben Stokes plays a similar shot, but this time it gets to Jake Weatherald on the boundary. Some good work from the opener keeps it to one.
Jofra Archer employs quite a pronounced back lift for Lyon’s next delivery, but is defending back to the bowler.
He then bunts one past Lyon for a single.
Stokes pushes forward of point for another run.
That’s over.
14h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:13am
59th over – Starc steams in
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There’s a significant break in play as refreshments are brought on the field.
Ben Stokes is kneeled down in the middle, he looks absolutely spent. He’s draped a white bath towel over his head and is looking down, grimacing at the Adelaide turf.
It is absolutely brutal stuff out there at the moment.
Stokes eventually rises, the England staff retreat to the safety of the dug-out, and Mitchell Starc is at the top of his mark.
Stokes squirts the first ball to a diving Cam Green at gully. It’s a good stop from the big man, but the batters are able to run a single after the ricochet.
Archer faces up to Starc.
It’s mis-directed from Starc, down the leg-side, and Archer tickles the ball past Alex Carey for a boundary. It’s a front foot no ball as well, and a big one.
What a shot! That’s textbook from Archer. The England batter takes one stride forward, creams the ball through cover and holds the pose as the ball races to the boundary.
Flicked! Archer works a Starc full ball through the air, and then on the bounce to Travis Head at the square boundary on the leg-side. It’s just a single, but a pretty crisp shot.
Stokes nudges the ball into the off-side infield and the batters complete a quick single.
Archer is defending effectively to end the over.
14h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:09am
58th over – Lyon tries to tempt Archer once more
Jofra Archer opens up and goes at one first up. It’s a dramatic, golf-like swing that grazes Nathan Lyon’s fingers, on the bounce, on its way past him.
The batters run three.
Ben Stokes is down and sweeping and edging into his pads. No runs.
The England captain gives himself some room and pummels the ball to the point boundary for a single. He moves to 33 from the 121st delivery of his innings.
Big swing! Woah. Archer is down on one knee and slog sweeping viciously. He times it terribly, though, and the ball squirts into the off-side. A dot to end the over.
14h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 6:04am
57th over – Starc retruns
With Jofra Archer on strike, Mitchell Starc returns to the attack.
Australia’s lower order destroyer in chief is coming around the wicket to the tailender.
And Archer is flashing at a wide one! He makes good contact and that’s a boundary through point.
That shot brings England within 200 runs of the Australians first innings total of 371.
Archer is defending.
Starc bowls a very wide one and Archer is more than happy to leave it alone.
I think everyone is a little shellshocked out there. There’s something of a hush over the ground as Starc charges in once more.
Archer is swivelling and falling over and smacking Starc square. It’s a single to the sweeper on the boundary.
Stokes is defending stoutly to end the over.
14h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 5:59am
56th over – Lyon to Stokes
Well, safe to say a fair bit has happened since my last stint.
Woah.
Nathan Lyon spins one down to Ben Stokes, who’s happy to work a single and bring Jofra Archer to the strike.
Lyon won’t mind that at all.
Archer is resolute in defence, dead batting his first three deliveries of the over.
Archer is defending again but ends up with a single around the corner.
Stokes to face the final ball of the Lyon over.
The England captain is back and defending.
14h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 5:57am
55th over – In comes Jofra Archer
Boland has five to come. Two slips, a bat pad, a gully. Carey up to the stumps.
Archer defends.
BEATEN! That ball just moves away a bit and leaves Archer. My goodness. He’s unplayable at the moment.
Solid defence from Archer.
Archer jams the bat down on the ball as it arrow towards his off stump.
Boland is giving away nothing. No width. No shorter balls. No fuller balls. He’s relentless. It’s brilliant to see.
Archer leaves outside off.
That’s over and I’ve had enough, time for Henry Hanson to take you through to the close.
14h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 5:54amBOWLED HIM!
England collects another duck to add to their collection in this tour.
Boland is so relentless, another solid delivery as the ball angles in to him, beating his inside edge.
Carse goes, England are 8-168.
14h agoThu 18 Dec 2025 at 5:54am
55th over – Boland continuesShow more posts