{"id":38332,"date":"2025-12-20T02:18:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T02:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=38332"},"modified":"2025-12-20T02:18:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T02:18:59","slug":"australia-v-england-ashes-third-test-day-four-live-ashes-2025-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=38332","title":{"rendered":"Australia v England: Ashes third Test, day four \u2013 live | Ashes 2025-26"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n
<\/p>\n

Key events<\/p>\n

<\/span>Show key events only<\/p>\n

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

To sum up:<\/strong> the good news, for anyone still awake, is that England\u2019s bowlers whistled through Australia this morning, taking six quick wickets. Tongue looked the real deal. The bad news is that England are chasing the highest fourth innings score in Test history and Duckett is already out.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next two hours are going<\/strong> to be disturbing, chilling, and terrifying. They are going to be a Technicolor-vivid documentation of total psychological disintegration, and resultant wild demented slashing. Yes, I am watching The Shining again. HERE\u2019S STARCY!\u201d I\u2019m feeling a lot better now Paul Griffin. Time for me to find the coffee in a foreign kitchen, while England stiffen their sinews over lunch. Back shortly.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Lunch – England need 430 to win<\/h2>\n

2nd over: England 5-1 (Crawley 0, Pope 1)<\/strong> I don\u2019t think I can bear to watch Pope \u2013 but he escapes the strike immediately with a push into the covers and Crawley sees off the rest of the over and takes England through till lunch -with a bit of time wasting for good measure.<\/p>\n

Duckett did briefly \u2013 for one ball \u2013 look in command as he pinged a Cummins half volley through midwicket for four. But then the needless nibble.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a020.55 EST<\/p>\n

WICKET! Duckett c Labuschagne b Cummins 4 (England 4-1)<\/h2>\n

A regulation nibble to second slip with bent knees.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Pat Cummins celebrates taking the wicket of Ben Duckett at Adelaide Oval.<\/span> Photograph: Robert Cianflone\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a020.42 EST<\/p>\n

1st over: England 0-0 (Crawley 0, Duckett 0)<\/strong> Starc sprints away from the trees in full green bloom lining one end of the Adelaide Oval \u2013 he\u2019s such a wonder in full flight \u2013 almost Holdingesque. Crawley ignore the first, nibbles at the fourth and is beaten. A maiden.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a020.40 EST<\/p>\n

England need 435 to win.<\/h2>\n

Australia lost 6 for 38<\/strong> this morning. One might almost say it was careless, if their lead wasn\u2019t already 434.<\/p>\n

Still, we can dream, can\u2019t we Gervase Greene?<\/p>\n

\u201cJust as all your flint-hearted colleagues are whooping it up at the Graun\u2019s Xmas drinks after-party, smirking at \u2018poor old Aldred suffering on the couch as Australia grind out a 600-run lead\u2026\u2019
Turns out you\u2019ve got a potential cliff-hanger on your hands, with the mother of all Baz-chases set to transform this series. That\u2019ll learn \u2018em!\u201d<\/p>\n

The highest fourth innings run-chase in Test history will be a piquant final chapter to the Bazball story. Though I am beginning to regret that last Baileys for the road. Anyway, the players are already out and Starc has the ball.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

WICKET! Boland c and b Archer (Australia 349 all out and lead England by 434)<\/h2>\n

Super ball from Archer, nasty, brutish and short. Boland fends into the offside and is caught by a diving Archer in his follow-through.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Jofra Archer dives to catch Scott Boland off his own bowling at Adelaide Oval.<\/span> Photograph: William West\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a020.40 EST<\/p>\n

84th over: Australia 349-9 (Starc 7, Boland 1) <\/strong>Excellent work by England\u2019s bowlers this morning, who have rushed (almost) through the Australian card in about an hour and a half. Those two wickets spruce up Carse\u2019s figures no end.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

WICKET! Lyon lbw Carse 0 (Australia 344-9)<\/h2>\n

Carse on a hat-trick! Lyon is trapped on the crease by a perfect nut. He reviews with one hand and walks off with the other.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Brydon Carse celebrates after taking the wicket of Nathan Lyon at Adelaide Oval.<\/span> Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake\/ReutersShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a020.57 EST<\/p>\n

WICKET! Cummins c Brook b Carse 6 (Australia 344-8)<\/h2>\n

Feet in cement, bat wafty, Brook collects.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Brydon Carse celebrates after taking the wicket of Pat Cummins on day four of the third Ashes Test.<\/span> Photograph: Darrian Traynor\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a020.09 EST<\/p>\n

83rd over: Australia 344-7 (Cummins 6, Starc 3) <\/strong>Archer giving nothing.<\/p>\n

Dear Tanya,
You \u201cstill think England can pull it off\u201d (your reply to Andrew Benton, earlier)
What on earth have you seen to support such optimism ?
it seems clear that the Aussies are better in every way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hope, Colum Farrelly, that Bazball will throw us a crumb, just once this series.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

82nd over: Australia 340-7 (Cummins 4, Starc 2) <\/strong>Carse returns to take the new ball at the other end. Just a single from it. England have stuck at their task but the lead is an ominous 426.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a019.58 EST<\/p>\n

81st over: Australia 340-7 (Cummins 4, Starc 2) <\/strong>Archer with the new ball. Starc flicks at the second and England plump for a review for a catch down the leg side. Nowhere near.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

80th over: Australia 335-7 (Cummins 3, Starc 0) <\/strong>Impressive work from Tongue who has plugged away this morning, producing occasional venom from a friendly face.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a020.59 EST<\/p>\n

WICKET! Inglis c Smith b Tongue 10 (Australia 335-7)<\/h2>\n

Questions, questions!<\/strong> from Tongue. A fourth wicket as Inglis flurries behind to Jamie Smith.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Josh Tongue celebrates after dismissing Josh Inglis on day four of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval.<\/span> Photograph: Gareth Copley\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a019.45 EST<\/p>\n

78th over: Australia 332-6 (Inglis 8, Cummins 2) <\/strong>Stokes\u2019s 50th Ashes wicket was a snorter, the ball right into Carey\u2019s rib, fended away in mid-air to the waiting Brook. The lead is 417.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an American from America. New to cricket. Has England been playing cricket for very long, or are they kind of new to this? They don\u2019t seem very good, tbh.\u201d David Slider, i think you\u2019re being mischievous.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

WICKET! Carey c Brooks b Stokes 72 (Australia 329-6)<\/h2>\n

Stokes gets his man. Carey looks bitterly disappointed after flicking a bouncer to le gslip where Brooks holds on with both hands.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Alex Carey is caught off Ben Stokes for 72 on day four of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval.<\/span> Photograph: Robert Cianflone\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a019.43 EST<\/p>\n

78th over: Australia 328-5 (Carey 72, Inglis 6) <\/strong>Brick upon brick.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust finished a burning shift in the bar and making noodles,\u201d writes David Kalucy, \u201cyou think England is going to bat for a draw?\u201d I think England are rinsed enough that they may be caught between batting for a draw and frolicking towards the highest chase in Test history.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

77th over: Australia 325-5 (Carey 71, Inglis 4) <\/strong>England think they\u2019ve got Inglis \u2013 he\u2019s given out lbw on the field \u2013 but he reviews and the replay shows an inside edge onto the pad. Predictably snicko doesn\u2019t agree, but the TV pictures are clear enough that it doesn\u2019t matter. Bowler Stokes rocks his head back in disappointment.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

76th over: Australia 320-5 (Carey 69, Inglis 2) <\/strong>Tongue is having a decent showing with the ball and has probably booked his ticket for Melbourne and Sydney. He\u2019s big and tricksy and full of attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cWolfish abandon. I quite like the sound of it,\u201d writes Abhishek Chopra.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEngland used to have Sibley who was all elephantish calm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elephantine calm is exactly what England could have done with this series.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

75th over: Australia 317-5 (Carey 68, Inglis 1) <\/strong>Stokes\u2019 fifth over of the morning. Carey with a twinkle toed boundary through point. The sky is gloriously blue by the way.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

WICKET! Head c Crawley b Tongue 170 (Australia 311-5)<\/h2>\n

Head walks off the turf and<\/strong> down the tunnel, but not before saluting the crowd. The end of a talismanic innings comes after he launches into a hook but doesn\u2019t have quite enough umph, flaying Tongue instead down to Crawley, who does well to hold on after staring into the sun at deep square leg.<\/p>\n

74th over: Australia 311-5 (Carey 63) <\/strong>Tongue makes the breakthrough with his first over of the morning.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Travis Head acknowledges the crowd after being dismissed for 170 runs during day four of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval.<\/span> Photograph: Darrian Traynor\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a019.16 EST<\/p>\n

73rd over: Australia 309-4 (Head 165, Carey 61) <\/strong>Stokes is testing, varies his length, throws in a slower ball, but to no avail.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of total do you think Australia will be looking for to out them safe? 500 or more?\u201d I think 500ish Charles Esche, especially with a bit of inclement weather possible tomorrow morning.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

72nd over: Australia 304-4 (Head 165, Carey 61) <\/strong>But there goes the pressure valve, as Head flays two four off Carse with wolfish abandon. Thirteen from the over, and the lead creeps towards 400.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Travis Head smacks a pair of boundaries off Brydon Carse at Adelaide Oval. <\/span> Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake\/ReutersShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a019.17 EST<\/p>\n

71st over: Australia 291-4 (Head 154, Carey 60)<\/strong> Just a couple off Stokes\u2019s over, who is once again leading by example. It must be exhausting.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

70th over: Australia 289-4 (Head 153, Carey 59)<\/strong> Head hadn\u2019t looked quite so on it this morning, but now upper cuts with a swagger off Carse to bring a to bring up his 150 off 205 balls.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a018.57 EST<\/p>\n

69th over: Australia 279-4 (Head 144, Carey 58)<\/strong> Another goodly over from the indefatigable Stokes.<\/p>\n

The batter who has faced the most balls in this series is not Travis Head but Ben Stokes: 422 balls, 160 runs, 16 fours v Head: 411 balls, 353 runs, 36 fours and eight sixes. A whole different ball game, says Tim de Lisle, whose sofa I have borrowed for the night.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a018.47 EST<\/p>\n

68th over: Australia 276-4 (Head 142, Carey 57)<\/strong> Carse\u2019s first ball is short and wide and thumped to the boundary by Carey. A diving stop by Smith saves any further blushes and that\u2019s all Australia can milk from the over.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a021.02 EST<\/p>\n

Play!<\/h2>\n

67th over: Australia 272-4 (Head 142, Carey 53)<\/strong> Stokes has the ball. Hair swept back and regal. Running in to the strains of the Barmy Army\u2019s Jerusalem. <\/em>On the ball. Just one single from it.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Ben Stokes bowls to Alex Carey on day four of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval.<\/span> Photograph: William West\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a019.19 EST<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think that England just haven\u2019t got<\/strong> what it takes,\u201d asks Andrew Benton, \u201cor is it that they haven\u2019t got it together? Is there a brilliant, Aussie-whipping, team hiding in there somewhere? Hocus-pocus, batters and bowlers, please focus!\u201d<\/p>\n

I still think they could pull it off. And if they\u2019re going to, today would be the day to do it. Some good news for England \u2013 a morning\u2019s rain is due tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a021.03 EST<\/p>\n

Pitch watch<\/h2>\n

The consensus is<\/strong>, it hasn\u2019t deteriorated.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

The highest Test match<\/strong> chase is 418 says Steven Finn, and after that point it becomes an uphill task.<\/em><\/p>\n

The good news is that Ben Stokes in a maroon vest, his mullet on point, is bowling in the nets.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a021.04 EST<\/p>\n

A post-mortem<\/strong> email. Too soon, Matthew Lawrenson, too soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf England lose this series, as it looks as though they will, and badly (ditto) – what will happen afterwards? The usual routine is appointing a committee who recommends reorganising County Cricket to benefit the England team. As the current regime has pretty much ignored County Cricket, what do you think they would think of next?\u201d<\/p>\n

Surely they can\u2019t reorganise county cricket again. They\u2019ve only just found some kind of settlement after the Strauss report. But maybe they might start paying attention to Championship performances. Or stretch it over a full summer again.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Should England need <\/strong>inspiration, they need look no further than the Big Bash, where Brisbane Heat have chased down the greatest BBL run chase at the Gabba.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Just watching Travis Head on the highlights,<\/strong> bristling through his moustache to 142 not out. Carey starts the day unbeaten on 52. Geoff might be enjoying Bazball\u2019s demise below.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Preamble<\/h2>\n

Tanya Aldred<\/span><\/p>\n

Hello \u2013 from a Christmassy London<\/strong>, fleet-footed from the sports desk Christmas drinks.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important at this point to say that England still have a chance to win the Ashes. Important because it might be the last time anyone can say that for the rest of the series. And the next two years.<\/p>\n

The current Australian lead is 356. But England\u2019s highest successful run-chase is 378 \u2013 against India at Edgbaston in 2022 at the height of Bazball – and as recently as this summer they galloped to 373 against India at Headingley.<\/p>\n

They know how to do it. The muscle memory is there.<\/p>\n

But Starc.<\/p>\n

But Cummins.<\/p>\n

But Lyon.<\/p>\n

Hope springs eternal.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n

Hello \u2013 from a Christmassy London, fleet-footed from t<\/strong>he sports desk Christmas drinks,<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important at this point to say that England still have a chance to win the Ashes. Important because it might be the last time anyone can say that for the rest of the series. And the next two years.<\/p>\n

The current Australian lead is 356. But England\u2019s highest successful run-chase is 378 \u2013 against India at Edgbaston in 2022 at the height of Bazball- and as recently as this summer they galloped to 373 against India at Headingley.<\/p>\n

They know how to do it. The muscle memory is there.<\/p>\n

But Starc.<\/p>\n

But Cummins.<\/p>\n

But Lyon.<\/p>\n

Hope springs eternal.<\/p>\n

Share<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature To sum up: the good news, for anyone still awake, is that England\u2019s bowlers whistled through Australia this morning, taking six quick wickets. Tongue looked the real deal. The bad news is that England are chasing the highest fourth innings score<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38333,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[16527,346,131,311,132,76],"class_list":{"0":"post-38332","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-ashes","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-day","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-live","13":"tag-test"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38332"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38332\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}