England are staring down the barrel of an Ashes series defeat after Nathan Lyon tore through their resistance late on day four of the third Test in Adelaide, leaving Australia just four wickets from an unassailable 3–0 lead.
Chasing a daunting notional target of 435, England slumped to 194 for six after Lyon removed Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley in a decisive spell that yielded three wickets for 17 runs.
Crawley’s gritty 85 had briefly given England hope following early losses, marking a rare show of restraint amid a softened Bazball approach, but his stumping proved the turning point.
Earlier, England had shown commendable fight with the ball, dismissing Australia for 349 after Travis Head’s 170, yet Lyon’s late surge put the hosts firmly in control. Australia now stand poised to retain the Ashes inside 11 days of cricket.
Stumps
Australia vs England, 3rd Test. The Ashes
- ENG 286 & 207/6 (63 ov, T:435)
- AUS 371 & 349
- Jamie Smith* 2(30)
- Will Jacks 11(31)
- Travis Head 0/34 (10 ov)
- Day 4 – England need 228 runs.
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