Third Ashes Test, Adelaide Oval (day four of five)
- Australia 371: Carey 106; Archer 5-53 & 349: Head 170; Tongue 4-70
- England 286: Stokes 83; Boland 3-45 & 207-6: Crawley 85; Cummins 3-24
- England require 228 runs to win with 4 wickets remaining
Day 4 of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval has concluded with Australia firmly in the ascendancy, leaving England’s hopes of a series comeback hanging by a thread. After a day of high-quality Test cricket, the hosts have left the visitors reeling, needing a monumental effort to avoid a 3-0 deficit in the series.
Head’s Heroics Anchor Australian Total
The headline of the morning session was once again Travis Head. The dynamic left-hander played a masterful innings of 170, showcasing his ability to dominate the crease at his home ground. Head’s knock was the backbone of the Australian second innings, providing the cushion the hosts needed to dictate terms.
In a resilient bowling display, England managed to claw their way back into the contest by taking regular wickets at the other end. Australia were eventually bowled out for 349, rather than declaring, as Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse worked through the lower order. Despite being dismissed, the damage was already done, with Australia setting a formidable target of 435 runs for victory.
England’s Run Chase Stutters Under Pressure
England’s pursuit of a record-breaking 435 got off to a mixed start. Zak Crawley provided the most significant resistance of the tour so far, striking a composed 85. His partnership with Joe Root (39) offered a glimmer of hope to the travelling fans, as they navigated the difficult afternoon period.
However, the momentum shifted decisively back to Australia during the final session. The introduction of Nathan Lyon proved clinical; the veteran spinner exploited the wearing Adelaide surface to remove both Crawley and the England captain, Ben Stokes. At the close of play, England sat at 207-6, still 228 runs adrift of the target with only four wickets remaining.
The Deciding Day Awaits
Australia enters Day 5 as the overwhelming favourites to wrap up the match and, with it, retain the Ashes urn. For England, the mission is simple but daunting: survive the final day or find an unlikely 228 runs. With the pitch offering uneven bounce and sharp turn, Pat Cummins’ side is just four wickets away from an emphatic victory on home soil.
