Australia vs England | England tour of Australia, 2025/26 | 3rd Test

Right then, that is it from this entertaining Day 3 of the 3rd Ashes Test. Australia are well ahead in the game and, with six wickets still in hand, will be eyeing a target well in excess of 400. England not only need someone to step up with the ball, but will also require a very special batting effort if they are to save this Test. Day 4 begins on 20th December, Saturday at 11.30 pm GMT (Previous Day), but do join us earlier for all the build-up. Cheers.

After a long toil, Will Jacks finally broke through for England by removing Usman Khawaja with a hit-me ball, and when Josh Tongue dismissed Cameron Green soon after, there was a brief hint of a fightback. That hope did not last long. Alex Carey joined Travis Head and the South Australian pair quickly put England back under pressure. With Ben Stokes unable to bowl due to cramps and Jofra Archer looking out of rhythm after his efforts with the bat, Australia found it easier going. Head powered his way to a commanding hundred, aided by a drop on 99 by Harry Brook, while Carey played his role with a composed fifty.

Australia soon wrestled back control after Lunch, with Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne steadying the innings. Marnus could not hang around for long, with Josh Tongue finding his edge to provide England a brief opening. That, however, was only the start of Australia’s command. Head looked resolute at one end, giving nothing away while cashing in on every scoring opportunity. Well supported by Usman Khawaja, the pair extended the lead beyond 200 by Tea without much fuss, and as the session wore on, the contest already began to look ominous for England.

The morning session was England’s in terms of fight and character. From a precarious 213/8, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer showed immense resilience, adding 106 runs and batting through most of the session. Archer brought up a well-earned maiden Test fifty, while Stokes ground out a gritty 83 to frustrate Australia. The second new ball finally did the trick, with Mitchell Starc dismissing Stokes for the 12th time in Tests before Scott Boland wrapped things up, leaving England 85 behind. Even so, England carried momentum into Australia’s reply, with Brydon Carse striking early, helped by Jake Weatherald’s costly decision not to review an LBW that would have gone his way.

SESSION SUMMARY - 152 runs and 2 wickets in 35 overs! The 'Moving Day' has tilted this Test decisively Australia's way, even though England showed plenty of grit early on. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer fought hard to delay the inevitable, but once Australia took the field again, control quickly followed. Travis Head led the charge with a sensational hundred - four on the trot now here in Adelaide Oval, backed by calm support around him, as the hosts methodically turned resistance into dominance. By Stumps, the lead reads 356 runs, and England looked drained, and Australia moving firmly into the driving seat of this Ashes Test.