Ashes, 3rd Test Day 1 Highlights: Alex Carey's hundred puts Australia back in front

And... breathe. The Ashes 2025/26 score line reads 3-0 in favor of Australia. They have proved once again why they are a side to beat, especially at home. But England can feel much more positive about Melbourne and Sydney after the fight they’ve shown here. They will go back to the drawing board and assess where things went wrong. They did come close this time around, but couldn't win the clutch moments, the way the Aussies did. Well then, both teams will enjoy the Christmas break, but what follows after that is the BOXING DAY TEST. It's going to be pure theatre as the Melbourne Cricket Ground prepares for the fourth and penultimate Test. England cannot win the series, but surely feels a bit consoled with a 3-2 result. We will be back on Friday, 26th December with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 11.30 pm GMT (the previous day). Until then, take care, stay safe. Cheers!

The victorious captain of Australia, Pat Cummins, beaming with a broad smile, walks up for a chat now. He begins by saying that it wasn't easy, but feels awesome to end up on the right side. Highlights that the last couple of months have been of a lot of grind and they needed to be patient. Points that you cannot really rush things while playing in Australia. It's important to grind in an old-school fashion and says that he loved the toil from all the guys on the field. Adds that it's always about focusing on what they really do as bowlers, and says that they are focused on what they can bring to the table in different conditions.  

The English skipper, Ben Stokes, says that the dream they arrived with here is gone now, which is tough to take. Adds that everyone in the dressing room is hurting. They came here with a clear goal, but couldn't get it done and it stings but they have to move forward. Mentions that Australia were far more consistent than them in the pressure moments, which was the real difference. Says that they showed great fight, and when Smith and Jacks were batting, they had some hope of pulling out a remarkable chase,  but it wasn't to be. Further adds that they restricted Australia to a par score but couldn't respond in the way they wanted. Then in the second innings, picking up 6 for 60-odd runs showed what they are capable of,  but losing those three wickets late on Day 4 put them on the back foot. However, he has seen enough character from his team which he wanted, despite the result not going their way. Tells that they only have themselves to blame as a unit, and they just were not ruthless enough to challenge the Aussies. Ends by saying that they are not going to just roll over and let the rest of the Ashes drift by, but throw everything in the last two games.

Alex Carey is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant contribution with the bat. He notched up a century in the first inning, and followed it with a crucial 72. He was instrumental behind the stumps as well, with 6 catches in the match and an electric stumping. He starts by saying that it's a great feeling as they knew what was on the line coming into this match. Says that the boys stayed in the present and have chipped in throughout the series so far. Expresses his delight at winning in front of his home crowd. Appreciates the way Travis Head batted, calling it a very special knock. Says scoring four Test hundreds back-to-back at the same venue is just insane and shows how good he has been for them. About his batting, Carey shares that he feels lucky to play a lot of Sheffield Shield cricket on a familiar surface. Also adds that Usman Khawaja played really well at a late notice. Details that having patience and trying to get through some good spells of bowling and picking up the boundaries were important on such a surface. Expresses his happiness of scoring a hundred in front of his family. Adds that when you keep to a really good bowling attack, it gives you a lot of opportunities. Mentions that Nathan Lyon was simply outstanding with the ball on the fourth day. Ends up by thanking the crowd and says it's been a lot of fun.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

But as Stokes stressed at the start of this match about showing a bit of a dog, England refused to surrender. The chase started cautiously, then ignited. Joe Root and Zak Crawley provided stability before Harry Brook launched a counter-attack that suddenly made the impossible seem achievable. When Brook fell off an uninspiring shot selection, Will Jacks stepped up, playing with composure beyond his experience. Then came Jamie Smith. Thrown into the furnace in the toughest of theaters, the young wicketkeeper displayed outstanding composure. He didn't fear smashing the new ball against Starc and Cummins, attacking with freedom and forcing Australia onto the back foot. But then came another brainfade moment. Failing to resist the adrenaline, he threw it away with a rash shot just when England needed him most. Jacks and Carse launched another counterattack, with a brisk 52-run stand, only to be broken by a spectacular grab by Marnus Labuschagne off Starc's bowling. Then, the wheels just came off and Australia landed the killer blow to finish things off. 

England's decision not to play a specialist spinner looked questionable from the start. They chose to strengthen their batting depth, but on a pitch that spins and bounces in Adelaide's heat, and only got better for spinners as the game progressed, that gamble initially looked costly. Relying so heavily on a part-timer while the pitch was crying out for a proper spinner seemed a tactical misstep. England, though, wrapped up Australia's second innings with surgical precision on Day 4 morning, an inspiring display led by Josh Tongue's four-wicket haul. But the damage seemed done. Travis Head's outstanding 170 and Alex Carey's 72 in a 162-run partnership had exhausted England's bowlers in the heat. With a massive 435-run target set, Australia appeared in complete control.

There was a strange parity in how this match has unfolded as England faced nearly identical collapses. They were reduced to 71/4 and looked set for a total disaster before Harry Brook and Ben Stokes stabilized the ship. History repeated itself later in the day when the visitors slumped further to 168/8, but the resilience of the lower order again became the defining theme. Ben Stokes produced a gritty and uncharacteristic defensive knock while Jofra Archer showed genuine batting skill to frustrate the Australian bowlers in the final session before folding on 286.

Adelaide delivered enough drama to fill an entire series. With Steve Smith ruled out at the eleventh hour due to vertigo, Australia turned to the veteran Usman Khawaja to fill the void at number four. It was a makeshift solution that felt like a gamble, but Khawaja played with the poise of a man who never left the side and anchored the innings with a vital 82. The real headline, however, was the incredible rise of Alex Carey. Walking out to the middle with his team reeling at 94/4, Carey played the innings of his life. His emotional century on his home ground was more than just a personal milestone because it dragged Australia from the brink of collapse to a commanding 371. This recovery was fueled by a lower order that refused to fold, with Mitchell Starc adding a punishing 54 to deflate an England attack that struggled to find the knockout blow.

It is now time to hear it from TRAVIS HEAD. He says that when Lyon went down, he thought he might have to step in and get the wickets, but got pumped in his first few overs as he couldn't hit the rough. Adds that Starc has been exceptional so far in this Ashes, with bat and ball. Mentions that he was manifesting finishing the Ashes here in Adelaide, and now he is looking forward to celebrating with the lads. Says that this win belongs to everyone and it is up there with his favourites. Tells that he rates his knock as one of the best ones, and brought out a celebration previously done by Warner. Further adds that he is happy to bat anywhere. Says he was disappointed getting out cheaply a couple of times, but he feels that with the field spread out, he can score quickly. Ends by saying that he is looking forward to the different challenges in Melbourne and Sydney.

Isa Guha has someone to have a chat with. It is MITCHELL STARC first, followed by Head. Starc says that he is pleased with this win. Adds that everyone put in a good effort on a flat wicket. It is another Ashes victory and the atmosphere throughout this game was amazing. Mentions that the pitch didn't offer as much as expected, and the injury to Lyon didn't help them, but they managed to find their way. Tells that the wind was swirling from every direction and it was a proper contest. Further adds that it's a huge blow losing Josh, but Cummins returned, which was nice, and Doggie (Doggett) and Scotty stepped in nicely. Says that it is always good to contribute, he enjoys his batting, but it's a bit tiring as well. Mentions that people joke about their age but experience is crucial. Says that Pat and Andrew have led the group superbly, and the young guys coming in have done pretty well. Ends by saying that the Head-Carey partnership was great to watch, and he doesn't really know how Travis does that time and again. 

Pat Cummins hadn't bowled a ball since July, returning from injury wilderness. He looked less like a man out of practice and more like a predator, with surgical precision. Picked up a 4-for in the first innings, then backed it up by a spectacular three-wicket haul in the second. Supporting him was Nathan Lyon, who turned his home deck into a spinning masterclass. By leapfrogging the great Glenn McGrath to move to sixth on the all-time wicket-takers list, Lyon didn't just claim a record, but he asserted his status as a modern great. Add Mitchell Starc, who contributed a rather fluent 54 before with the bat in the first innings, and then unleashed electric pace, with discipline and absolute conviction, ending up with four wickets. 

Forget the theories that Australia are over the hill, with several blokes in the twilight of their careers, or that England simply handed them the first two Tests. This performance was a cold reminder of the massive gap in quality between these sides. Even in crushing heat, the Australian bowlers worked as a pack and never let England breathe. While the visitors relied almost entirely on Archer, the home side had an endless supply of weapons in the bowling department. Every bowler took turns testing England's technique and mental strength, and the visitors had no answers. Whatever tactics Australia deployed were executed to near perfection.

AUSTRALIA RETAIN THE ASHES IN JUST 11 DAYS! The Men in Baggy Green are euphoric, with smiles and hugs spreading across the field. Nathan Lyon, watching on crutches at the sidelines, beams with pride as his teammates celebrate this triumph. Things heated up towards the end, and England deserve all the credit for mounting a valiant fight. They made Australia sweat and forced them to work hard for every wicket. The winning margin may be narrower than expected for Australia, but as they have done all series, they found a way to own the clutch moments. England, in contrast, could not. Despite the fight and character shown by the tourists, there is plenty of soul searching ahead for them.

102.5: Scott Boland to Josh Tongue, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! It's absolute jubilation here at the Adelaide Oval as the Aussies celebrate wildly. Scott Boland lands this on a good length and on the fifth stump line, gets it to shape away as well. Josh Tongue looks to drive it on the up, but without much footwork. It takes the outside edge and flies straight to second slip, where fittingly Marnus Labuschagne takes a sharp catch, his fourth of this innings. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 82 RUNS AND TAKE AN UNASSAILABLE 3-0 LEAD!

102.4: Scott Boland to Josh Tongue, Short of a length and around off, Josh Tongue plays well inside the line of it to let it go.

102.3: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Uppish but safe! Fuller and on middle, angling in. Brydon Carse flicks it aerially and just over mid-wicket for a single.

102.2: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Hits the length hard, on off, takes off a bit. Brydon Carse just about gets on top of it and keeps it out off the shoulder of the bat towards point.

102.1: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, On a length and on off, angling in, Brydon Carse stays back and blocks it out.

STAT - Dismissing Archer was Starc's 750th wicket overall in his international career. The third-highest wicket-taker for Australia across all formats, after the great Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

101.6: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Fuller and on off, Brydon Carse drives it through covers for a run and keeps the strike.

101.5: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Short of a length and outside off, Brydon Carse flashes at with his blade but misses.

101.4: Mitchell Starc to Josh Tongue, Fuller and on middle, Josh Tongue flicks it confidently through mid-wicket for a single. 350 up for England!

Josh Tongue is the last man in.

101.3: Mitchell Starc to Jofra Archer, OUT! FLATLY HIT AND TAKEN! Mitchell Starc delivers once again and roars in delight. That's his 22nd wicket in this Ashes. Simply brilliant stuff. Short delivery, wide outside off. Jofra Archer rides the bounce and cuts it uppishly towards deep backward point. Finds Jake Weatherald to perfection in the deep as the Aussie opener doesn't have to move an inch, just crouch low to his right to gather it. Archer is in disbelief. Barmy Army in complete silence. Jofra Archer departs on 3 (14) and England are 349/9. Australia are just one wicket away from retaining the Ashes. 

101.2: Mitchell Starc to Jofra Archer, Pretty loose from Archer. Chases the length ball from outside off, tries the square cut away from his body and gets beaten past the outside edge. 

101.1: Mitchell Starc to Jofra Archer, Hones in on a fullish length, just outside off. Jofra Archer shoulders arms at that. 

100.6: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, BEATEN AGAIN! A lifter from a good length, outside off. Brydon Carse withdraws his bat inside the line as the ball breezes past the outside edge. Carey, as usual, with a sharp take behind. A top over from Boland. 

100.5: Scott Boland to Jofra Archer, A loud appeal for LBW, but not given! Nip-backer on a short length, angling around the leg stump line. Jofra Archer walks across to nudge that around the corner, but misses. The ball hits him high on the thigh pad and rolls to the leg side, behind square. They cross for a leg bye. Marnus Labuschagne gestures about height and Australia do not review. 

100.4: Scott Boland to Jofra Archer, PEACH! Around off, seaming away on a length. Jofra Archer plays inside the line to defend, but gets beaten. 

100.3: Scott Boland to Jofra Archer, Half chance! Lands on the seam and nips away from off. Jofra Archer prods forward to defend with a straight bat, but gets a thick outside edge. The ball eludes Carey's gloves and grazes his right elbow, before dropping short of the gully fielder. 

100.2: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Shortish delivery, outside off, tapped off the back foot to the left of extra cover for a quick single. 

100.1: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Tries the big-booming drive on the up on this length ball, but gets a thick inside edge past the leg stump. Carey runs to his left and stops it.

99.6: Mitchell Starc to Jofra Archer, Scorching pace of 147 kph, short and angling down leg. Archer ducks under it. 

99.5: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Bangs it halfway down the strip. Angles it onto the leg stump. Carse rides this rib-tickler well, hops off and keeps it down the ground through backward square leg for a single. 

99.4: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, At 143 kph, this is full and aimed at the sticks. Brydon Carse gets a bit across and stabs it to the right of the bowler. 

99.3: Mitchell Starc to Jofra Archer, Short of a good length, outside off, steered away through backward point for a single. England need 89 runs to win now. 

99.2: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Around off, on a good length, nibbling away. Brydon Carse dabs it towards backward point for a single. 

99.1: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Pace and bounce! Searing in at 145.6 kph, Starc hammers it into the pitch, outside off. Brydon Carse pushes at the delivery, but the ball kicks up and flies past the edge.

98.6: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Back of a length, outside off, squares Carse up totally. He tries to defend, and the ball goes off the splice towards the point region for a single. 

98.5: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, EDGED, DROPPED AND FOUR! Outside off, on a hard length. Brydon Carse plays away from his body without any footwork, and gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes at pace, flat to the left of Cameron Green at second slip. He dives to his left, extends his left hand out, but the ball deflects off his fingers and races behind to the deep third fence, beating Marnus' chase from the first slip. That flew towards Green and he had very little time to react to that one. Good try though.

98.4: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Cuts back in, as the Victorian threatens the pads, on a length. Carse brings the bat across the pad and blocks it to the leg side.

98.3: Scott Boland to Jofra Archer, Pitched fuller, just outside off, Jofra Archer strides forward and steers it through backward point for a single. 

98.2: Scott Boland to Jofra Archer, Tight lines! In the channel, straightening off the deck. Beats Jofra's back foot defence as he plays inside the line. 

98.1: Scott Boland to Jofra Archer, A spitting cobra, on top of off. Jofra Archer hangs back and defends it well. 

That dismissal of Will Jacks was the 50th wicket for Mitchell Starc in Tests in 2025. He has had an incredible year, and we still have the 'Boxing Day' Test to go.

97.6: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Edged, lands just short of Marnus! Nips away from off, on a good length, with extra bounce. Brydon Carse pushes at the delivery, does go with soft hands, and hence, the outside edge lands short and to the left of the diving Marnus Labuschagne from first slip. 

97.5: Mitchell Starc to Jofra Archer, Slammed hard onto the pitch, outside off, square cut off the back foot to deep backward point for a single. 

97.4: Mitchell Starc to Jofra Archer, Short and outside off, left alone.

97.3: Mitchell Starc to Jofra Archer, BEATEN! Zipped through! Back of a length, seams away from off, Jofra Archer hangs the bat loosely away from his body and gets beaten past the outside edge by a kitten-whisker. Spicy stuff from Starc. 

Jofra Archer comes out to the middle now. All the recognised batters are gone now. Archer scored his maiden Test fifty in the first innings, and he has to do something similar to get his side over the line here.

97.2: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Midas touch? Nope. It's the Marnus touch once again. A top-shelf stuff from him and it is Starc once again with a breakthrough. Pitched fuller and just around the off pole, with a bit of nibble away after kissing the deck. Will Jacks goes on the drive with hard hands, has a waft at it, only to nick it behind. Now, the ball is going flat and low, between the keeper and Marnus at first slip. Carey dives to his right, Marnus to his left, a bit ahead of the keeper and sticks out his left hand to take a stunner one-handed. Will Jacks is very disappointed with himself and walks back on 47 (137). England are 337/8, needing 98 runs to win. 2 wickets in hand. 

97.1: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, From around the stumps, this is full and angling in and around off. Will Jacks strides forward and blocks it to point. 

The landing area needs flattening up again, and the ground staff comes in with the hammer. Mitchell Starc is having a close look and seems like he is happy to go. He replaces Travis Head. England have brought down the target within double-digits, and it is going to be edge-of-the-seat stuff here in Adelaide.

96.6: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, FOUR! That's a real loosener! Down leg, on a fullish length. Brydon Carse gets inside the line, uses the pace, and just helps it behind to deep fine leg for a boundary. England keep fighting hard as they need 98 runs now. This brings up the 50-run partnership as well. 

96.5: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Just outside off, on a slightly shorter length. Kept out to the off side.

96.4: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, BEATEN! Tight line and length from him. In the channel of off, goes away off the pitch, drawing Carse for a front foot defence. Beats the outside edge by a whisker. Carey collects the ball behind the stumps and whips the bails off in a flash, with Carse's feet grounded inside the crease.

96.3: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Short of a good length, around off. Brydon Carse hangs back and punches it to short cover.

96.2: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Kicks up on a good length, on off, Brydon Carse steers it off the splice toward backward point. 

96.1: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Squares him up! Hard length, zips off the deck and nips away from off. Brydon Carse is beaten all ends p on the back foot. Carey collects it well as he is up to the wickets. 

Three overs and done for Pat Cummins for now. He brings Scott Boland (14-5-23-0) back into the attack. Also, Alex Carey is standing up to the stumps.

95.6: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, Leans on the fuller ball and drills that down to long off for a single. 

95.5: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Outside off, full in length. Will Jacks drives it to deep cover for a single. 

95.4: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, Overpitched around off, Carse carves it to long off for a single. 

95.3: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, On a length, on the leg stump, nudged off the back foot to short leg.

95.2: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, Full outside off, pushed to cover.

95.1: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, SIX! Sails all the way! Flat and full from Head, on middle and leg. Brydon Carse sits across and sweeps it aerially and clears deep square leg for a six. 

94.6: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Brings the angle back into the batter, on a hard length. Will Jacks tucks it to the leg side.

94.5: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Full and around off. A lovely looking front foot drive from Jacks, towards the left of mid off. A slight fumble in the field there, but no run taken. 

94.4: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Length-delivery, on off, Jacks blocks off the back foot. 

94.3: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, On a good length, jagging back in a long way, on middle and leg. Brydon Carse is rushed on the back foot and tries to keep it out, but plays over it. Gets pinged on the back thigh pad and Carey gets a bit wrong-footed. Then dives to his right, but the ball evades him and runs behind to the deep third region. Three leg byes. 

94.2: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Nasty from the skipper! Straightaway, Cummins says that he wants someone under the lids. Well-directed short ball, on top of the stumps. Brydon Carse arches back as the ball zips through to the keeper.

STAT - This is now the fourth-highest fourth innings total in Tests at the Adelaide Oval.

94.1: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Spits up from a good length, on top of off. Brydon Carse is taken by a bit of surprise. Bottom hand comes off the handle, and it is blocked off the splice. 

93.6: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, Turns in on the leg stump line, on a length. Brydon Carse goes back and across and nudges it wide of mid on for a single. Four singles off the over. England need 114 runs to win. 

93.5: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Slower through the air, short and around off. Will Jacks hangs deep inside the crease and knocks it down to long off for another single. 

93.4: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, Seeing Carse dancing down the track, Head darts one on a fuller length, on middle. This is drilled down to long on for one.

93.3: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, Flatter and fuller, on off. Brydon Carse takes a giant stride forward and defends. 

93.2: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Overpitched on middle, Jacks plays with the spin to long on for a single. 

93.1: Travis Head to Will Jacks, On a length, on off, blocked off. 

92.6: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Safely negotiated. Full and outside off, defended well to the off side. 

It is very windy out there. A couple of balls ago, it took out umpire Nitin Menon's hat. Maybe that's why he lost a bit of focus, as the previous LBW call was clearly missing the leg stump.

92.5: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Smart review from Carse! Cummins shoots in a fuller-length delivery, attacking the pads. Brydon Carse tries to flick but plays all over it and gets rapped on the front pad. A massive appeal from Cummins as he goes down on his knee, pleading to the umpire, and Nitin Menon obliges. Brydon Carse has taken a review straightaway. No bat involved, says the third umpire. But hang on, the Ball Tracking shows the ball is projected to miss the leg stump, by a big margin. The on-field decision is overturned. That brings about a huge cheer from the Barmy Army. 

92.4: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Fires it in, full and on off, Brydon Carse responds with a solid front foot block to the off side.

92.3: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Nips in from a length, on the leg stump line. Safely negotiated by Carse as he nudges it to the mid-wicket region.

92.2: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Honing in on the pads, full in length. Will Jacks tries to flick and gets a thick inside edge onto the front pad. The ball deflects away to deep square leg for a single.

92.1: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Fuller ball, on the fourth stump. Will Jacks solidly blocks it to point. 

91.6: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, Dished wide outside off, on a length. Brydon Carse covers the stumps by shuffling and offers no shot. 

91.5: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Shortish delivery, on leg, Jacks stands tall and punches it down to long on for a single. 

91.4: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, Overpitched delivery, on off, Brydon Carse carves it to sweeper cover for a single. 

91.3: Travis Head to Brydon Carse, Spins in from off, on a tad fuller length. Defended straight off the front foot. 

91.2: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Flat and full, outside off, pushed gently through cover for a single. This is Jacks' highest Test score now.

91.1: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Fuller and outside off, Jacks strides across and defends it out.

Travis Head to bowl some offies from the other end.

90.6: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Hammers it short and angling down leg. Brydon Carse safely ducks underneath it. 

90.5: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Touch full and on off, Will Jacks defends off the inner half of the bat and the ball rolls to mid-wicket for a single.

90.4: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Good running! Every single run will be cheered now by the Barmy Army. Full and on middle and leg. Will Jacks flicks off the pads to deep backward square leg. Mitchell Starc moves to his left and cuts it off. Two taken. 

90.3: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Slants back in on a length, on off. Will Jacks is rushed on the back foot and stabs it down the pitch. 

90.2: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Hard length, outside off, Brydon Carse steers it away to deep backward point for a single. 

90.1: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Spears it fuller and on off, Brydon Carse drills it straight back to the bowler.

We are back for what could be the final session of this Test match! England's Ashes hopes are hanging by a thread here in Adelaide. They need someone to be a hero, and Will Jacks has to take most of the responsibility from here on, as he is the last recognised batter for them. Brydon Carse walks out with him to continue the chase. Australia need just 3 good balls to retain the Ashes, and they will back themselves with still plenty of runs in the kitty. Pat Cummins will start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... DAY 5, SESSION 2 ...

Australia would have expected a fight from England, but perhaps not to this extent. Pat Cummins waited until the second new ball to unleash his big guns, but that approach leaked a few early runs and was made worse by Nathan Lyon’s hamstring injury, which has now ruled him out of the remainder of the game. Mitchell Starc was expensive but struck a crucial blow by removing Jamie Smith just as he was starting to look threatening. Cummins and Scott Boland beat the edge on several occasions without reward, and it will be vital for the pacers to knock over the last three wickets quickly. If England push the target into double digits, the pressure will shift to Australia as well. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne will need to help fill the void left by Lyon, with the pitch offering plenty of turn. It is set up for an intriguing watch. Join us for the post-Lunch session at 2.40 am GMT to catch all the action.

A lot of pressure and responsibility rested on Will Jacks and Jamie Smith as they walked out to bat, tasked with keeping the Ashes alive. Both looked solid in defence and scored with positive intent, taking it over by over and refocusing well after a brief rain delay. Once the second new ball was taken, the runs began to flow and the target was brought well below 200, with Smith raising a fine half-century. Just when things looked under control, he went a touch over-aggressive and played one shot too many, falling to Mitchell Starc when it was not needed. Brydon Carse looked fidgety on arrival but settled quickly, playing a few fine strokes to see England through to Lunch alongside Jacks.

SESSION SUMMARY - 102 runs and 1 wicket in 27 overs! England controlled the session, and they desperately needed to do so to keep even a faint glimmer of hope alive in the game. The overnight English batters showed intent, sound technique and plenty of resilience, but Australia always knew that all it would take was one moment. That moment was provided by Mitchell Starc. It was the one time Smith overreached, opting for unnecessary aggression, and it handed the Aussies an opening that could so easily have been avoided.

89.6: Scott Boland to Will Jacks, Oh, that stayed low! Cuts back in on a length, in front of the stumps, skidding low. Will Jacks plays from the crease and stabs it down the pitch safely. That will be LUNCH on Day 5!

89.5: Scott Boland to Will Jacks, Lasered in on middle, full in length. Will Jacks drags the bat in front of the pads and pushes it to mid off. 

Alex Carey is coming up to the stumps for the last two balls. A short leg in place as well.

89.4: Scott Boland to Will Jacks, On a fuller length, nipping in a touch, on off. Will Jacks pushes forward and defends it off the inner half to mid on. 

89.3: Scott Boland to Will Jacks, Full and straight on middle, Will Jacks gets on the front foot and forces the drive to mid off. 

89.2: Scott Boland to Will Jacks, Jags back from outside off, on a good length. Will Jacks trusts the bounce and offers no shot. Good take from Carey, as he dives to his left and gathers it safely.

89.1: Scott Boland to Will Jacks, Wide outside off, left on a length by Jacks. 

We are getting one more over before Lunch.

88.6: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Hits the deck really hard, outside off, Carse shoulders arms as it fizzes through to the keeper. 

88.5: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Attacks the pads, full in length. Will Jacks flicks that off the pads to deep backward square leg for a single. 

88.4: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Slams the deck hard, outside off, Jacks leaves as it wobbles away.

88.3: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, BEATEN! Cracker of a delivery. On a length, nibbling away, outside off. Will Jacks is sucked into the defensive shot on the front foot, plays inside the line and gets beaten past the outside edge. 

88.2: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Risky from Jacks, just before Lunch! Seams in and then nips away on a fuller length, just outside off. Will Jacks walks forward and tries to whip that across, but misses out. 

88.1: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Jags back in a long way from off, on a shortish length. Will Jacks is pinned in the crease, looks to block it across, but the ball beats the inside edge and takes a blow on the thigh pad.

87.6: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, A bit of a lateral movement on a good length, outside off. Brydon Carse offers no shot. 

87.5: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Slightly fuller and on middle. Brydon Carse pings it straight back to the bowler. Boland bends to his right on the follow-through and makes a half stop.

87.4: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Hard length, around off, Brydon Carse is drawn forward and solidly defends it to the off side.

87.3: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, On a fuller length, at 134.4 kph, Brydon Carse presses forward and blocks it to cover.

87.2: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, Fires in on a fuller length, around off, Brydon Carse lets it be. 

87.1: Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, BEATS THE EDGE! At 131.2 kph, Boland hurls in the channel of off, on a fuller length, nipping away. Brydon Carse goes fishing at it without much weight transfer and gets beaten on the outside edge.

The member of the ground staff is out with a hammer and is flattening out the landing area. Scott Boland (12-3-23-0) removes his baggy green as he comes into the attack now. He replaces Pat Cummins.

86.6: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, Full again and on leg, Will Jacks looks to flick it away but it goes off his pads towards square leg. Half an appeal for an LBW, but not given.

86.5: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, Loose stroke! Mitchell Starc goes full and wide outside off, angling it away. Will Jacks throws his bat at it without much conviction and the ball zips past the outside edge.

86.4: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Pitched up and outside off, Brydon Carse reaches out and drills it away to deep point for a single.

86.3: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Good length and just around off, shapes in, Brydon Carse watches it through and leaves it alone. This is much better from Carse.

86.2: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Goes fuller and on off, Brydon Carse gets forward and blocks it out. The Barmy Army appreciates that.

Starc has pulled off his run up for twice now. Goes back to reload.

86.1: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, FOUR! Top shot! Short of a length and around off. Brydon Carse gets on top of the bounce and punches it sweetly through covers for a boundary.

85.6: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, FOUR! Streaky! A well-directed bouncer, on off, takes off a bit as well. Will Jacks tries to pull it away but gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head for a boundary. England need 132 runs to win now.

85.5: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, BEAUTY! Pat Cummins lands this on a good length and in that channel outside off, angles in and then shapes away a bit. Will Jacks has a poke it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

85.4: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Bangs this into the pitch but way down the leg side, Will Jacks leaves it alone.

85.3: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Hits the length hard, on off, nips back in with extra bounce. Brydon Carse gets surprised by it and takes his bottom hand off the ball. It goes off the shoulder of the bat towards point for a run.

85.2: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Short of a length and on off, Will Jacks dabs it down towards point and calls Brydon Carse for a quick single. 

85.1: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Back of a length and around off, holds its line, Will Jacks leaves it alone.

84.6: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Much fuller and on off, Brydon Carse drills it wide of mid off. Travis Head chases after it and slides to stop it. Two taken.

84.5: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, FOUR! Lovely shot! Overpitched and just around off. Brydon Carse extends his arms, gets under it and crunches his drive through covers for a boundary.

84.4: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, NOT OUT! A good decision from the on-field umpire. Mitchell Starc lands this on a good length and on middle, shapes it back in sharply. Brydon Carse gets stuck in his crease and tries to block it, but misses and gets hit on the knee roll of his pad. It deflects behind towards deep third and the batters cross for two leg byes. However, Pat Cummins takes the review here. The replay clearly shows no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows it is going over the stumps. Australia lose a review.

A review for LBW taken by Australia, challenging the on-field decision. No bat involved, and the Hawk Eye shows the ball bouncing over the off pole. Just enough bounce to carry it on top of off. The on-field decision stays.

84.3: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, BEATEN! Back of a length and just outside off, takes off a bit. Brydon Carse slahses hard at it but fails to connect.

84.2: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Short of a length and on off, Brydon Carse stabs it out to cover-point.

Update on Nathan Lyon. The Australian off spinner injured his knee while fielding at deep fine leg and hobbled off the ground. Cricket Australia has confirmed that Lyon has been sent to the hospital for scans. His participation in this match remains under the cloud for now. Might get a word on that as well. 

84.1: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, Play and a miss! Fuller one and outside off, angling away, Brydon Carse thows his hands at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

83.6: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, In the air...SAFE! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, nips back in sharply. Brydon Carse looks to clip it away but closes the bat face early. It takes the leading edge and goes in the air but lands in the vacant deep mid-wicket region. They cross.

83.5: Pat Cummins to Brydon Carse, Short of a length and on off, Brydon Carse dabs it down to gully.

83.4: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Hits the length hard, on middle, Will Jacks tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

83.3: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Fuller and on middle, angling into the pads, Will Jacks flicks it away wide of deep square leg and comes back for the second run. Good runnning!

83.2: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Back of a length and around off, shaping away a bit, Will Jacks leaves it alone.

83.1: Pat Cummins to Will Jacks, Good length and on off, Will Jacks stays back and blocks it out.

We are into the extended 30 minutes of the morning session, as we had a slight delay due to rain earlier in the day.

82.6: Mitchell Starc to Brydon Carse, ZIPPED! Back of a length, across off. Brydon Carse loosely hangs his bat away from the body, and gets beaten past the outside edge. Carey collects that at chest height. 

Brydon Carse walks out to bat now.

82.5: Mitchell Starc to Jamie Smith, OUT! AND GONE! A needless throw of a wicket from Smith. Just couldn't resist the adrenaline rush. Another big moment in the game, and the scales have tilted back to Australia's favor. Length ball on the leg stump, with some bounce as well. Jamie Smith clears the front leg, swings to heave it over deep mid-wicket, but gets no timing on it. Airs it off the toe end, does clear mid-wicket, but Cummins backtracks from the inner ring and takes it with ease through a reverse cup. Cool and calmly taken by the Aussie skipper. Starc has worked the oracle once again. The Aussies and up and about as one in delight and why not. Jamie Smith departs on a very impressive 60 (83). England are 285/7.

82.4: Mitchell Starc to Jamie Smith, FOUR! Full of confidence! Around off, on a fuller length, Jamie Smith gets his head on top of the ball and smashes that through covers for a cracking boundary. England need 150 runs now. Smith really making his presence felt. He has been searching for some runs this Ashes. 

82.3: Mitchell Starc to Jamie Smith, FOUR! Caressed! Smith is taking on the attack on the Aussies. Fuller one, nipping in and around the leg stump line. Jamie Smith whips that through the vacant square leg region and finds the fence.

82.2: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, Short and outside leg, Jacks pulls it off the back foot, a bit uppish but lands well ahead of the deep backward square leg fielder. A single taken. 

82.1: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, Short of a good length, on top of middle. Will Jacks nudges it to mid on. 

81.6: Pat Cummins to Jamie Smith, FOUR! FIFTY FOR JAMIE SMITH! 9th Test half century for him and his first in the Ashes. Cummins lands it just outside off, on a fractionally fuller length. Jamie Smith takes it on and smokes it over mid off for a cracking boundary. Really brave batting, this. Full of intent and positivity. He has chosen one of the toughest occasions to bring that milestone.

81.5: Pat Cummins to Jamie Smith, FOUR! Picture-perfect! A full ball, around off, Jamie Smith leans on it and drives it between mid off and extra cover. Teases Head in his chase but wins the race.

81.4: Pat Cummins to Jamie Smith, Angles in on the leg stump, on a hard length. Smith defends it straight with an open bat face.

81.3: Pat Cummins to Jamie Smith, Slightly short and outside off, Smith hangs back and taps it to short cover.

81.2: Pat Cummins to Jamie Smith, Cuts back into the batter, on a short of a good length, at 130.1 kph. Jamie Smith hops off and bunts it to mid on. Played with a vertical bat angle by Smith.

81.1: Pat Cummins to Jamie Smith, Hits the hard length, outside off, dabbed off the back foot to backward point. 

Pat Cummins to share the new ball.

80.6: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, Angles in on a length, on the fourth stump line. Left alone by Jacks.

80.5: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, BEATEN! The smile comes from Starc as he gets some inswing. Full and around off, curving back in a touch. Will Jacks plays the initial line on the front foot and pushes at it. Gets beaten on the inside edge and flirts with the off pole on its way to the keeper. A corker of a delivery from Starc.

80.4: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, At 142 kph, straight and full, around off. Will Jacks lunges ahead and defends it out.

Mitchell Starc is seen holding his left waist, which indicates maybe a strain. However, he is good to bowl at the moment. Australia would not want to lose Starc after already losing Lyon due to an injury. It is yet to be seen whether Lyon comes back or not. Also, Starc has been given a couple of warnings for running into the danger area, and if he gets one more, he will not be able to bowl in this innings.

80.3: Mitchell Starc to Will Jacks, Short of a length, outside off, Jacks leaves this harmless delivery.

80.2: Mitchell Starc to Jamie Smith, Length ball, wide outside off, Smith slashes it away to deep point for a single. Beau Webster cuts it off to his left in the deep. 

80.1: Mitchell Starc to Jamie Smith, Attacks the stumps straightaway, on a fuller length. Jamie Smith drills it away to mid off. 

Australia have taken up the Second New Ball right away. Mitchell Starc has been called into the attack as well. However, he has to wait a bit as one of the ground staff is out there with the hammer flattening the landing area. We are good to go.

79.6: Travis Head to Will Jacks, A full ball, on off, Jacks flicks off the pads to short mid-wicket. 

79.5: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, A googly from Head, short and on off. Jamie Smith backs away and works that through extra cover for a single. 

79.4: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, Fuller and a bit outside off, Smith blocks it watchfully.

79.3: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, FOUR! A shot of authority from Smith! Dropped full and around off. Jamie Smith shimmies down the track and smashes it over mid off for a boundary. England need 169 runs to win.

79.2: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, FOUR! Lovely stroke! Half volley, just outside off. Jamie Smith plays with the spin and cracks the cover drive through the gap for a boundary. 

79.1: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Spins down leg, on a length, nudged towards backward square leg for a single. 

One over to go till the Second New Ball will be available. Maybe that was just a filler over from Marnus Labuschagne. We have not seen any of the frontline Aussie pacers in this session, and perhaps they are waiting for the new ball.

78.6: Marnus Labuschagne to Jamie Smith, FOUR! Through the gap! A welcome boundary for England. A loosener from Marnus. This is short and outside off. Jamie Smith is quick to pivot on the back foot and smacks that through cover for a boundary. 

78.5: Marnus Labuschagne to Will Jacks, Overpitched, fairly outside off, carved through cover-point for a single.

78.4: Marnus Labuschagne to Jamie Smith, A bit too short, outside off. Jamie Smith backs away and slaps it to the right of deep point for a single. 

78.3: Marnus Labuschagne to Jamie Smith, On a fuller length, on middle, gripping nicely. Jamie Smith strides forward and blocks.

78.2: Marnus Labuschagne to Will Jacks, Tossed up at 84.5 kph, full and on the fourth stump line. Will Jacks gets on the front foot and taps it between cover and point for a single.

78.1: Marnus Labuschagne to Will Jacks, Marnus Labuschagne starts with a leg break, short and on off. Will Jacks hangs back and eases it to short cover.

77.6: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, On a fuller length, spinning into the batter, Smith flicks it with soft hands to short mid-wicket.

77.5: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Pitched full and on off, Will Jacks runs it down to long on for a single. 250 UP FOR ENGLAND!

77.4: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Overpitched delivery, outside off, drilled hard, but straight to extra cover.

77.3: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Around off and full, Jacks leans on and defends.

77.2: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Short and on middle, Jacks nudges it to short leg.

77.1: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Sharp turn on a length, on middle. Will Jacks punches it back to the bowler.

Uh oh! Nathan Lyon has hurt himself while fielding that ball. He is hobbling off the ground now, which is not a good sign for Australia. Travis Head replaces him from this end.

76.6: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, Pitched short and outside the leg stump line. Jamie Smith swivels on the toes and pulls it to deep fine leg. Nathan Lyon did not pick that from deep backward square leg, but does recover well eventually. Slides to his right and cuts it off for a couple of runs. Lyon is not comfortable at all and is walking off the field straightaway. Might be a hamstring issue. But this is a big moment in the game. 

76.5: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Nip-backer on a length, at off. Will Jacks gets on the back foot and square-cuts it to deep point for a single. 

76.4: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Slanted into the batter, at 131.4 kph, full in length. Jacks gets across and flicks it to mid on.

76.3: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Nips in a touch from a hard length, around off, Jacks plays off the back foot and knocks it to short cover.

76.2: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Good length, on off, Jacks tucks it off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

76.1: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Bowled from a wider angle, short and wide outside off. Jacks ignores.

75.6: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Turn and bounce, on middle, on a length. Smith goes deep inside the crease and blocks it nicely. 

75.5: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Touch full and outside off, Smith punches that through extra cover. Cummins from mid off, hunts it down with a slide in the outfield. Two taken. 

75.4: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Pushed full, around off, Smith shimmies down a bit and drills it to mid off. Cummins with a diving stop to his right.

75.3: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Outside off, on a dragged length, Jacks goes back and across and steers it to deep point for a single. That brings up the 50-run partnership between these two. In 133 balls.

75.2: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Full around off, defended well. 

75.1: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Pushed fuller and spinning in from outside off, Jacks rocks back and nudges it to short leg.

74.6: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, On a length and on middle, Jamie Smith keeps it out to the off side.

74.6: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, Bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Jamie Smith gets on top and pulls it along the ground to square leg. Green has overstepped here, and it is called a No Ball.

74.5: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, Pitched up and on middle and off, Jamie Smith taps it out towards short cover.

74.4: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Short of a length and around off, Will Jacks heaves it away to deep square leg for a single.

74.3: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Full again and on off, shaping in, Will Jacks gets a good stride out and knocks it back to the bowler.

74.2: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Spears it full and on off, eased off the front foot to cover-point.

74.1: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Back of a length, outside off, punched firmly to the left of extra cover. Head makes a diving stop.

Will Cameron Green continue from the other end? Yes, he will. There are no dark clouds above the ground, but it's very windy there in Adelaide.

73.6: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Nicely tossed up, around off and full. Smith takes a giant stride forward and blocks.

73.5: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Spins across the bat face, full and on middle. Smith leans on and defends it off the inner half. 

We are back after the rain delay! Hopefully, no more such interruptions, and we get to see more action on the field. Jamie Smith and Will Jacks have looked solid out there, but they will once again need to turn their focus back on here. Nathan Lyon to finish his incomplete over. Let's go...

UPDATE - 12.37 am GMT - Good news, folks! The covers are coming off at the Adelaide Oval. It's getting bright now as the cloud cover is moving away, so we might not be too far from resumption. And there we have it. Play will resume at 12.50 am GMT. Just around 10 minutes from now. 

UPDATE - 12.30 am GMT - It looks like the rain has eased up. But the covers still remain firmly in place. Maybe the ground staff is expecting another band of rain coming through before we are clear for the rest of the day. Stay tuned. 

A lengthy rain break may not suit England, especially after they had made a positive start to the day. They will be forced to reset once again, while Australia could use this pause to regroup and fine-tune their tactics, with the new ball just 6.2 overs away.

UPDATE - 12.12 am GMT - Pfft... and they are going off. The drizzle has picked up a bit and the umpires take the players off the field. Not so heavy still but the Barmy Army roar in delight. The ground staff quickly place the hessian mat on the pitch. Brett Lee on air says that there's nothing on the radar, and might be a passing shower. But now, the bigger white sheets are being brought on and the pitch is getting fully covered along with the squares.

Game stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

73.4: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Goes short and on middle, turns in sharply. Jamie Smith moves back and pushes it back to the bowler.

73.3: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Flighted, full and on off, turns in. Jamie Smith goes down to sweep it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Smith is getting a bit restless now.

73.2: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Tossed up, full and just outside off. Jamie Smith tries to reach out and drill it away but gets too much underneath it and bunts it back to the bowler.

73.1: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Floated, short and around off, does not turn and goes straight. Jamie Smith moves back and pats it towards cover-point.

10 overs in on the fifth day. England have added 34 runs to their overnight score. The umpires had a bit of a chat regarding the drizzle, but they have decided to push on for now. 

72.6: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Goes short again, on middle, angling down the leg side. Will Jacks lifts his hands and lets it go to the keeper.

It has started to drizzle out there, which brings about a lot of booing from the Barmy Army. Let's hope that this just a passing shower. 

72.5: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Back of a length and around off, Will Jacks punches it to short cover.

72.4: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, A bouncer now, on middle, Will Jacks ducks under it.

72.3: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, angling in and skids through a bit. Will Jacks tries to pull it away, but misses and gets hit on the midriff.

72.2: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Fuller and on middle, Will Jacks clips it away to short mid-wicket.

72.1: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, Short of a length and around leg, Jamie Smith hooks it towards deep fine leg for a single.

71.6: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, MAIDEN OVER! Drags his length back, on off, turns in. Will Jacks is solid in his defense.

71.5: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Floated, full and around middle, Will Jacks knocks it down the pitch.

71.4: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Goes short again, on off, Will Jacks pats it back to the bowler.

71.3: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Short and on middle, Will Jacks movesback and clips it towards backward square leg.

71.2: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Flighted, full and around off, Will Jacks goes down across to sweep it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. Pretty safe shot as you cannot get LBW or bowler from that line.

71.1: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Tossed up, full and on off, Will Jacks prods forward and turns it to short leg.

Jacks and Smith have survived the first crucial 30 minutes nicely. Both are natural stroke makers, so if they dig in for another thirty minutes or so, they can really score at a fair clip. But, with a deteriorated surface, they will really need to be smart with their shot selections, as the margin of error is very little and could cost dearly.

70.6: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, Much fuller and on middle, angling in, Jamie Smith drills it away to mid on.

70.5: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, A shout for caught behind, but turned down! Pat Cummins has a chat with his bowler and keeper, but does not take the review. This is another bouncer, on leg, takes off a bit. Jamie Smith tries to pull it again, but it looks like he just misses it. Alex Carey grabs it behind the stump and shows some interest, but not that much. Snicko shows no spike, so good thing that they did not review that one.

70.4: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, On a length and around off, Will Jacks guides it through point for a run.

70.3: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, Back of a length and on off, Jamie Smith pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

70.2: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, What happened there? Cameron Green comes around the wicket and lands this short of a length, on leg, takes pace off. Jamie Smith is very early through his hook shot and the ball catches the toe-end of his bat before dropping onto the turf and rolling behind.

70.1: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, SIX! Into the stands! Cameron Green bangs this into the pitch, but not high enough to trouble the batter. Jamie Smith picks up the length early, swivels, and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. England need 197 runs to win now.

An interesting stat for you all, folks. Pat Cummins, with three wickets in this innings, has become only the second bowler to claim 150 or more Test wickets as captain. In the history of the longest format, only Imran Khan of Pakistan, with 187 wickets, stands ahead of Cummins in this elite list.

69.6: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Another short ball, on middle, Will Jacks moves back and tucks it on the bounce to short leg.

69.5: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Flatter, full and on middle and off, Will Jacks stays back and fends it down the pitch.

69.4: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Quicker, short and on off, skids through, Will Jacks keeps it out to the leg side.

69.3: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Short and on off, turns in, Will Jacks pats it down to short leg.

69.2: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Tossed up, full and on off, Will Jacks blocks it out.

69.1: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Floated, short and on middle, turns in, sticks to the surface as well. Will Jacks stays back to push it but chips it wide of the bowler. Lyon dives to his right to make the stop.

68.6: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, EDGED BUT SAFE! Cameron Green bangs in a good bouncer, on middle, gets some extra bounce. Will Jacks looks to pull it away, but the ball gets big on him. It takes the top edge but lands safely in the vacant square leg region. They cross.

68.5: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Good length and on off, nips back in a bit. Will Jacks guides it off the outer half of the bat past gully. He pushes for the second and gets it comfortably in the end.

68.4: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Overpitched and outside off, Will Jacks squeezes it out wide of deep point for a brace.

68.3: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Full again and on off, Will Jacks strides out and drills it to short cover.

68.2: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, BEATEN! Pitched up and just around off, shapes away. Will Jacks goes chasing after it, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

68.1: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Fuller and on off, Will Jacks opens the face of his bat and drives it through cover-point for a couple of runs. England need 208 more runs to win.

67.6: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Short again and on off, Jamie Smith stabs it out to short cover.

67.5: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, A bit short and on middle, turns in again, Jamie Smith turns it to the leg side.

67.4: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, SIX! BANG! Gets hold of that one! Flighted, full and around middle. Jamie Smith goes down on one knee and nails the slog sweep with the turn over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

67.3: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Flatter, short and on off, turns in a long way. Jamie Smith once again gets hurried as he moves back. He manages to keep it out on the pitch as the ball bounces and hits his bat again before rolling towards the bowler.

67.2: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Floated, full and around off, turns in sharply. Will Jacks goes down for the reverse sweep, but it goes off his shoulder past backward short leg. A leg bye taken.

67.1: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Tossed up, full and on middle, Will Jacks blocks it out.

66.6: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Will Jacks rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep square leg for one.

66.5: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, In the air...SAFE! A well-directed bouncer, on middle. Jamie Smith looks to pull it away, but does not transfer his weight on the back foot. It takes the top edge and flies towards deep square leg but falls well short of the fielder. They cross.

66.4: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Back of a length and on off, Will Jacks hops up and punches it away through covers for a run. As he comes down, his foot gets caught in the rough and twists. He looks in a bit discomfort here.

66.3: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, On a length and on off, Will Jacks pats it down towards short cover.

66.2: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, Short of a length and outside off, Jamie Smith cuts it to deep point for a single.

The floodlights have been switched on at the Adelaide Oval, as it has gone a touch dark and gloomy. Mark Waugh on air chirps that you don't see this very often in this part of the country. 

66.1: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, False stroke! Fuller in length and around off, shapes away a bit. Jamie Smith gets tempted and goes for the big booming drive but the ball zips past the outside edge.

65.6: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Looped up, full and on off, Will Jacks strides out and fends it away.

65.5: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Pushed through quicker, shortish and around off, Will Jacks leaves it alone.

65.4: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Slighlty shorter in length, on off, Jamie Smith punches it through covers for a single.

65.3: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Flighted, full and on off, Jamie Smith uses his feet and taps it to short cover.

65.2: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Flatter, short and on off, turns in sharply. Jamie Smith moves back but gets a bit hurried. However, he manages to keep it out.

65.1: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Tossed up, full and on off, Jamie Smith defends it on the front foot.

64.6: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Hard length and on off, Will Jacks presses forward and blocks it out. Much better from Jacks.

64.5: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, BEATEN! Cameron Green lands this back of a length and around off, effort ball from him and this one holds its line. Will Jacks just has a poke at it without any footwork and gets beaten on the outside edge. Loose shot and he needs to be careful with these.

64.4: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Pitched up, on off, shapes in, Will Jacks drills it back to the bowler.

64.3: Cameron Green to Will Jacks, Short of a length and on off, Will Jacks dabs it down to point.

64.2: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, PUT DOWN? Looks like it, but a very tough chance. Fuller and on middle, Jamie Smith drives it with a straight bat but a bit uppishly down the pitch. Cameron Green gets down on his follow-through to grab it with his right hand, but it just bounces under and goes behind him. The second three of the day.

64.1: Cameron Green to Jamie Smith, Cameron Green starts with a good-length delivery, on off, Jamie Smith gets half forward and pats it towards short cover.

Cameron Green (3-0-16-0) will bowl the next over.

63.6: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Drags his length back, on off, Will Jacks keeps it out to the off side.

63.5: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Slows it up, full and around off, turns in sharply. Will Jacks gets forward to defend but gets an inside edge on two bounces to short leg.

63.4: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Short again and on off, turns in, Will Jacks pats it back to the bowler.

63.3: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Floated, short and on middle, turn in, Will Jacks stays back and fends it away.

63.2: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Good intent! Flighted, full and on off, Jamie Smith uses his feet and gently drives it to the left of the bowler and towards long off. Mitchell Starc from mid on chases after it and collects it. Three taken.

63.1: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Tossed up, full and around off, turns in a bit. Jamie Smith prods forward and blocks it out.

All set to get underway, folks. Overcast skies welcome the umpire and the players out to the middle. Australians have spring in their steps right now and are 4 scalps away from retaining the Ashes. They spread out and take their spots on the field. Will Jacks and Jamie Smith showed decent resistance to coast England to Stumps on Day 4. They walk to the crease as the overnight batters. And who has the ball? Nathan Lyon (18-3-64-3), it shall be. Smith to face. Surrounded by a leg gully, a forward short leg, and a slip in place. Here we go...

How's the weather in Adelaide? Umm... there was an early morning shower, but the weather has cleared up for now. It remains to be overcast though. The good thing is that the covers are off, so the ground staff and the local weather reports might be certain that there won't be any rain interruption. The radar also looks promising for the rest of the day. But that's nature, and you cannot predict anything. Let's hope it stays clear overhead. It's a huge day ahead.

England, meanwhile, face a monumental challenge that will require grit, clarity of thought, and a touch of magic. With the big guns back in the hut, the responsibility now rests heavily on the shoulders of the lower order, led by the unbeaten Jamie Smith and Will Jacks. Smith, in particular, has not had the best of Ashes so far, but England know what he is capable of, having seen him produce some extraordinary knocks in the past, most notably that unbeaten 184 against India at Edgbaston. To keep the Ashes alive, England need something of similar substance and courage, a performance built on belief, bravery, and defiance, on a final day that promises drama from the very first ball.

For Australia, Day 5 is all about finishing the job with discipline and patience. Nathan Lyon has once again been the key man, striking crucial blows late on Day 4 to remove Harry Brook, Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes, swinging the momentum firmly back in Australia's favour. Pat Cummins has led superbly, chipping in with important wickets and keeping the pressure relentless with sharp, attacking fields. With Alex Carey standing tall behind the stumps and the likes of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Lyon ready to exploit the footmarks, Australia will back their bowlers to ask constant questions and force England into mistakes as the tension rises.

Another gripping day awaits in this enthralling Ashes battle as we welcome you to our coverage of Day 5 of the third Test, with the series hanging delicately in the balance. Australia remain firmly in control, but England are still alive, heading into the final day at 207/6, needing 228 more runs in 90 overs to pull off a remarkable chase. The pitch has shown signs of wear, the pressure is mounting, and history looms large, making this a day that could define not just the Test, but the fate of the Ashes itself.

... DAY 5, SESSION 1 ...

England had a reasonable day, but the damage was already done. Australia might be confident that they have batted England out of contention, being just four wickets away. With the tourists still 228 runs adrift, the task indeed looks really big. The question is, can the English lower order sustain the pressure and mount another fightback? The likes of Starc and Cummins will come afresh the next morning, so negotiating their pace and bounce will be very tough. We go into the fifth and final day then. We will be back on Sunday, 21st December, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 11.30 pm GMT (Previous Day). Till then, you can follow all the action from the Big Bash League 2025/26, as the Sydney Smash is about to get underway in a short while between Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers in Game 7 of the season. But from here, we sign off. See you on Sunday. Take care, cheers!

Australia's ALEX CAREY is up for a quick chat with the broadcasters. He says they don't want to look too much ahead. Adds that they will reflect on their performance and come up with plans to win the game. Mentions that Lyon was bowling really well, and with a lot of energy and he wanted him to continue that and he finally got his wickets towards the end. Says that he always wants to contribute and win games of cricket. Tells that he will hit the pool with his kids tonight and then come back for the final day. Ends by saying that the bowlers have been hitting the right areas and hopefully they continue to do that and make it hard work for the remaining English batters.

Australia relentlessly hammered their line and length in the first innings. The aging pitch eased up for the quicks, offering less assistance than before. But the spinners extracted good grip and turn from the wearing surface. Though the Head experiment didn't quite give them the results, Lyon smelled blood upon his return and struck immediately. He trapped Brook with an uninspiring shot as impatience got the better of him. Then came the big hammer blows. Lyon outfoxed Stokes before producing an absolute ripper to dismiss the well-set Crawley on 85. From a comfortable 177 for 3, England nosedived to 194 for 6. Jamie Smith and Will Jacks showed good resilience against the spin in tandem and batted till the end.

Australia were hunting for wickets, and Cummins delivered shortly after the restart. He dismissed the well-settled Root for the 13th time in Tests to break that crucial 78-run stand and wrestle back control. Crawley, though, slightly tinkered his game and looked in much control, forming a 68-run stand with Brook, being impatient at times. For a chase this big, perseverance is absolutely non-negotiable. You have to keep doing the right things over and over for extended periods, which is far easier said than done. One brain-fade moment is all it takes to flip the script entirely, and that's what happened as the shadows lengthened.

England stumbled to 4/1 before Pope's familiar flaws resurfaced, edging one to Labuschagne, who pulled off a stunning one-handed catch at second slip. Cummins bowled a marathon spell, consistently threading deliveries in that corridor and beating the edge repeatedly. However, Crawley and Root dug in with discipline, absorbing pressure from the seamers before shifting gears against Lyon, sweeping and reverse sweeping to deny him any rhythm in his first spell. With the frontline attack out of the picture, the pair added 78 runs at a fair clip, mounting a spirited fightback through Root and Crawley from 31 for 2, striking off 101 runs in 24 overs while losing just one wicket at Tea.

It was an action-packed day in the City of Churches, so let's take a quick recap. The overnight pair of Travis Head and Alex Carey pushed Australia's lead with a 162-run partnership, before Head fell to a short-ball trap from Josh Tongue and Carey departed on 72. The tail couldn't wag this time and crumbled quickly as Tongue, Carse, and Archer cleaned up effectively from 311/4 to bowling Australia out on 349. England needed to survive a tricky 10-minute passage before Lunch, but pressure struck again. Ben Duckett whipped his first ball through mid-wicket for four, only for Pat Cummins to find his edge the very next delivery, giving Australia first blood and the final word of the session.

It's going into the fifth day, folks. What an absorbing day of cricket in Adelaide. To England's credit, they scrapped hard and made Australia earn every breakthrough. They did not lose wickets in clumps, won the first two sessions, but then Lyon's brilliance exploded the resistance, dragging them right back to square one. Australia, just as they've done throughout the series, seized the crucial moments and capitalized ruthlessly. They've now inched closer to retaining the Ashes.

62.6: Travis Head to Will Jacks, MAIDEN OVER! Travis Head slows it up, full and on off. Will Jacks safely negotiates it. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 4!

62.5: Travis Head to Will Jacks, A loopy yorker, on off, Will Jacks jams it out to the off side.

62.4: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Flatter, full and on middle, Will Jacks keeps it out.

62.3: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Flighted, full and on middle, Will Jacks defends it on the front foot.

62.2: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Almost a wicket! Goes short and on off, turns in a bit. Will Jacks steps across to play but misses as the ball lobs up off his pads. Marnus Labuschagne at first slip grabs it and appeals but it is turned down.

62.1: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Floated, full and on middle, Will Jacks tucks it to mid-wicket.

Okay then, last over of the day coming up. Travis Head (9-2-34-0) to bowl. Jacks to face with a slip and forward short leg in place.

61.6: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Loops it up, full and on middle, Jamie Smith knocks it back to the bowler.

61.5: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Short again, on leg, Will Jacks works it through square leg for one.

61.4: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Short and on middle, Jamie Smith flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

61.3: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Flighted, full and around middle, Jamie Smith is solid in his defense.

61.2: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Floated, full and on off, Jamie Smith gets forward to defend it.

61.1: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Tossed up, full and on middle, Jamie Smith blocks it out.

3 minutes left on the clock. Last 2 overs left, maybe? Jamie Smith is under extreme pressure, on 1 (25) and is now ambushed by silly point, short leg and leg slip. 

60.6: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Flatter, short and on middle, turns in, Will Jacks flicks it away to mid-wicket.

60.5: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Darts one full and on middle, Will Jacks defends it.

60.4: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Slows it up, full and on off, turns in, Will Jacks has to wait for it a bit and fends it on the pitch.

60.3: Travis Head to Will Jacks, A loopy low full toss around off, Will Jacks drills it to extra cover.

60.2: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Floated, full and on off kept out.

60.1: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Tossed up, full and on off, Will Jacks blocks it out solidly.

59.6: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Short again, on middle, Jamie Smith nudges it to mid-wicket.

59.5: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Oh, close! Flatter, shortish and on off, turns in a bit but keeps low. Jamie Smith moves back to defend but gets an outside edge that deflects off Alex Carey's pads and rolls to point. It would be really harsh to call it a chance.

59.4: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Slower through the air, full and on off, turns in, Jamie Smith is solid in his defense.

59.3: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Floated, full and on off, Jamie Smith fends it down the pitch.

59.2: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Tossed up, full and on off, Jamie Smith blocks it back to the bowler.

59.1: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Flighted, full and on middle, Jamie Smith looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards mid on.

58.6: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Shortish and on off, Will Jacks keeps it out to the off side.

58.5: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Massive shout for caught behind, but turned down! However, Alex Carey does not look that confident, but Pat Cummins takes the review anyway. Slows it up, full and on off, does not turn much. Will Jacks presses forward to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge. Head looked the most interested, but Snicko confirms no bat involved. Carey also broke the stumps, but Jacks has his back foot grounded at all times. Australia lose a review.

58.4: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, Flighted, full and on off, Jamie Smith pushes it through covers for a run.

58.3: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Short and on middle, Will Jacks pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

58.2: Travis Head to Will Jacks, FOUR! 200 UP FOR ENGLAND! Floated, full and around off. Will Jacks strides out, extends his arms to get under it and thumps it to the long off fence for a boundary.

58.1: Travis Head to Will Jacks, Tossed up, full and on off, Will Jacks gets forward to block it out.

57.6: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Drags his length back, on middle, Jamie Smith keeps it out to the leg side.

57.5: Nathan Lyon to Jamie Smith, Slower through the air, full and on off, Jake Weatherald knocks it back to the bowler.

57.4: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Flighted, full and on middle, Will Jacks sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

57.3: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Floated, full and on off, Will Jacks prods forward and fends it away.

57.2: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Goes short and on middle, Will Jacks moves back to block it out.

57.1: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Uppish but safe! Tossed up, full and on off, turns in. Will Jacks looks to defend but gets an inside edge onot his pads as the ball loops up and drops well wide of short leg.

56.6: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, Gives this one some more air, full and on off, Jamie Smith pushes it back to the bowler. MAIDEN OVER!

56.5: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, Slows it up, full and on off, turns in, Jamie Smith presses forward and guides it towards point.

56.4: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, Flighted, full and on off, Jamie Smith defends it on the front foot.

56.3: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, Floated, full and on fof, Jamie Smith stays back and steers it towards point.

56.2: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, Shorter in length, on off, Jamie Smith stays back and blocks it out.

56.1: Travis Head to Jamie Smith, Tossed up, full and on middle, Jamie Smith knocks it back to the bowler.

Spin brought in tandem now. Here's Travis Head (6-0-28-0), replacing Scott Boland.

55.6: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, EDGED BUT SAFE! Slows it up, full and on middle, goes straight. Will Jacks prods forward to defend but gets an outside edge. However, it falls well short of first slip.

55.5: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Short again and on middle, Will Jacks pats it back to the bowler.

55.4: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Goes short and on middle, Will Jacks keeps it out to the leg side.

55.3: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, FOUR! Connects well this time! Tossed up, full and on middle and off. Will Jacks changes his stance early, gets into position and nails the reverse sweep to the deep point fence for a boundary.

55.2: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Flatter, short and on middle, turns in, Will Jacks tucks it away towards short mid-wicket.

55.1: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Flighted, full and on off, Will Jacks goes for the reverse sweep but nut misses and gets hit on the pads.

54.6: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, That keeps low! Fuller and on middle, angling in and does not bounce much. Jamie Smith gets his bat down just in time to keep it out.

54.5: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, Pitched up and on off, Jamie Smith drills it to mid off.

54.4: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, On a length and around off, Jamie Smith pats it towards backward point.

54.3: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, Good length and on middle, nips back in, Jamie Smith fends it off the inner half of the bat towards square leg.

54.2: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, Touch fuller and on middle, Jamie Smith knocks it to mid on.

54.1: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, Short of a length and on of, Jamie Smith punches it to short cover.

53.6: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, A bit quicker, short and on middle, turns in, Will Jacks tries to block it from the crease but gets an inside edge onto his pads. It lobs up but lands safely to the off side.

53.5: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Slows it up, full and on off, Will Jacks fends it away.

53.4: Nathan Lyon to Will Jacks, Looped up, full and on off, Will Jacks pushes it to short cover.

Australia are inching closer now. That was Lyon's 129th wicket in the fourth innings of a Test match. Spin to win, they say. He is only behind the great Shane Warne, who has 138 wickets to his name in that list. Will Jacks walks to the crease at number 8.

53.3: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, OUT! STUMPED! Nathan Lyon has three now, and Australia are racing towards the urn now. Flighted, full and around off, hits the rough but does not spin and goes straight. Zak Crawley takes a couple of steps out of the crease as he gets drawn forward, but plays for the turn in. It just goes past the outside behind, where Alex Carey collects it sharply to his right and whips the bails off in a flash with Zak out by a fair bit. Lyon has produced three big hammer blows in this brief spell of his. But got to give credit to Carey for immaculate work behind the stumps. He has hardly stepped a foot wrong while keeping in this Ashes. Crawley has to depart for a gritty 85 off 151, and England are 194/6, still needing 241 runs to win.

53.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Floated, full and on off, turns in, Zak Crawley looks to drill it away but gets a bottom edge towards mid on.

53.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Tossed up, full and on off, Zak Crawley uses his feet and drives it to mid off.

We are now into the extended 30 minutes of the day's play. Lyon to continue from this end. 13-1-57-2 so far are his bowling figures. 

52.6: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, Bangs this into the pitch, on off, Jamie Smith dabs it down to gully.

52.5: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, Hits the length hard, on middle, Jamie Smith defends it on the back foot.

52.4: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, Touch fuller and on off, Jamie Smith taps it out to short cover.

52.3: Scott Boland to Jamie Smith, Back of a length and on off, nips back in sharply, Jamie Smith watches it through and leaves it alone.

52.2: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, On a length and on middle, Zak Crawley pats it towards mid on for a run.

52.1: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Nice shot! Good length and on middle. Zak Crawley stays firmly in his crease and flicks it away with superb timing through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Jamie Smith is in at number 7.

51.6: Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Nathan Lyon does it again. Is that the Ashes for Australia? One can say they do have one hand on the urn. This is an absolute beauty from Lyon. He flights this up, full and on middle, gets it to grip and turn away sharply. Ben Stokes is drawn forward to a front foot defense but plays down the wrong line. It spins past the outside edge and rattles the top of off pole. Stokes just stands there in disappointment as he knows that the Ashes is slipping away from his side. England lose half their side now for 189, chasing 435 runs.

51.5: Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes, Drags his length back, on middle and leg, Ben Stokes stays back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

51.4: Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes, Tossed up, full and on middle, Ben Stokes defends it on the front foot.

51.3: Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes, Goes short and on middle, Ben Stokes moves back and punches it to short cover.

51.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Floated, full and on middle, Zak Crawley reverse sweeps again and gets it past point for a single.

51.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flighted, full and around middle, Zak Crawley goes down and reverse sweeps it to backward point. 

50.6: Scott Boland to Ben Stokes, Lands it on a nagging length again, and around off, Stokes leans on and bit and tentatively strokes it towards cover.

50.5: Scott Boland to Ben Stokes, Hard length now, in the channel, Ben Stokes makes an assured leave as the ball goes straight on.

50.4: Scott Boland to Ben Stokes, Keeps the length full but slants it in towards middle and leg, Stokes nudges it across to short mid-wicket.

50.3: Scott Boland to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Crisp hit from Stokes! A bit fuller but well wide outside off, Ben Stokes gleefully accepts the invitation and hammers it through covers by going down on one knee and picks up a boundary.

50.2: Scott Boland to Ben Stokes, That in-between length, lands it perfectly and attacks the off stump, Stokes solidly blocks it off.

50.1: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Back of a length and angling in from around middle, Crawley uses the wrists and flicks it down to long leg for a single.

49.6: Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes, Bowls it quicker again and fuller on leg stump, Stokes nudges it away towards silly mid on.

49.5: Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes, Pushed through a bit more, on a nagging length and on off, Stokes presses back and defends it off.

49.4: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flatter again, on a good length and on off, pushed away off the back foot and through mid off for a single.

49.3: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, A bit flatter and on off, Crawley stays put and blocks it off.

49.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Top shot! Tossed up, full and outside off, Zak Crawley leans across and fetches the sweep shot, hammering it hard and through mid-wicket for a boundary.

49.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flighted ball around off, Crawley leans on and bit and nudges it into the leg side.

48.6: Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, On a hard length and over off, Ben Stokes presses back to defend, and it will be a maiden over for Mitchell Starc.

48.5: Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, Shortish length, angled in towards the body, Stokes hops across to the off side and manages to shoulder his arms, letting the ball pass through to the keeper.

48.4: Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, Starc hits the hard length and bowls it around off stump, Stokes blocks it off without a fuss.

48.3: Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, Back of a length, in and around off, Stokes stays put and taps it back onto the deck.

48.2: Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, Banged in on a shorter length, well outside off and going straight on. Stokes leaves it alone.

48.1: Mitchell Starc to Ben Stokes, A bit fuller, at 145.5 kph and angled into the pads, Stokes tucks it away to the man at short mid-wicket.

47.6: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Good take down the leg side from Alex Carey and Pat Cummins seemed to be interested in a caught behind appeal there. Quicker one, jammed down the leg side, Crawley misses the flick and Carey swoops in to his left. No one else heard a sound, and no review is taken either.

47.5: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, On a dragged length, turns back in from well outside off, Crawley presses back to defend.

47.4: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Tosses it up, landing it full on off and middle, Crawley blocks it down the line.

47.3: Nathan Lyon to Ben Stokes, Quicker and shorter around off, smacked away off the back foot to the left of long off for a single.

Ben Stokes, the skipper, walks out to bat now with a massive responsibility for his country on his shoulders.

47.2: Nathan Lyon to Harry Brook, OUT! TIMBER! He's only gone and done it again! Nathan Lyon comes back in and strikes gold for the Aussies and Harry Brook is looking perplexed as to what happened here. Lyon slows this one up, pulls the length back by a couple of inches, and gets the ball to turn back in big from outside off. Brook goes for the big reverse slog but misses it by a mile, and the ball just catches the outside part of the leg stump. Brook departs for 30 (56), and Australia finally manage to break a stand that was growing in confidence with every passing delivery.

47.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Tossed up, fuller and on off, Crawley gets inside the line and shovels the sweep wide of short fine leg and towards deep backward square leg for a single.

The Travis Head experiment is over for now. Nathan Lyon (10-1-49-0) is back on. 

46.6: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Short of a length and angled in from outside off, this one shoots up off the deck, Brook dabs it down towards gully.

46.5: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Banged in short again and angled just down leg, Crawley stays inside the line and pulls it down to fine leg for one more.

46.4: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Short of a length and around off, Brook backs away and smacks it hard to deep backward point for just a single. No one on the boundary ropes in front of square on the off side right now.

46.4: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Wide! Banged in quick and short outside off, Brook has a think about going for the pull but pulls out of the shot. The ball gets some extra lift off the deck, and it is called a wide, which Starc feels is not the right decision.

46.3: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Another short ball, banged in even quicker at 147.4 kph and around off, Crawley stands tall and gets on top of the bounce, crunching it down to deep square leg for a single.

46.2: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, A well-directed short ball, at almost 147 kph and angled into the body. Crawley gets cramped up and misses the pull, copping a blow above the rib cage.

46.1: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, A quick short ball at 144 kph, not quite shoulder height, and Brook pummels the pull to the left of deep square leg for a single. Marnus Labuschagne was lightning quick to cut that off in the deep.

45.6: Travis Head to Harry Brook, Oh, another full toss, but Head gets away with it. This is on leg stump and Brook just tucks it away through square leg for a single. 13 off that over and England now need 264 more to win with 7 wickets in hand.

45.5: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Bowled flatter and around off, turning it in, Crawley backs away and pushes it towards cover for a single.

45.4: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, FOUR! That's begging to be hit! A juicy full toss around off, Zak Crawley stays put and hammers it to the right of mid off, and the ball rolls away into the fence.

45.3: Travis Head to Harry Brook, Floated up around off again, reverse-swept without much timing and to the right of backward point for a single.

45.2: Travis Head to Harry Brook, FOUR! That's been nailed! Tossed up on off stump, Harry Brook brings out another reverse sweep and hits it hard and over the backward point region for a boundary this time.

45.1: Travis Head to Harry Brook, This is floated up on middle and leg, Harry Brook brings out the reverse sweep again and forces it uppishly through cover-point for a couple of runs more. The 50-run stand is up between these two!

44.6: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, A bit fuller and pushed in from outside off, Crawley covers the line and defends with a straight bat.

44.5: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Back of a length, cutting back in from outside off, Crawley takes a step to the off side and hits it into the turf, getting it through point for a couple of quick runs. Good running!

44.4: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Very full and outside off, Crawley squeezes it away firmly and to the right of Nathan Lyon at deep backward point for a couple of runs.

44.3: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Good length, angled into middle and leg, gets it to just stick into the deck. Crawley walks a bit to the off side and nearly gets squared up, just jabbing it back to the bowler.

44.2: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Oh, that could have been disastrous for Crawley! A chest-height short ball, right at the batter. Zak Crawley tries to get inside the line and pull, but gets it off the gloves, and it nearly drops back onto the stumps.

44.1: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Easy for Brook over there. Back of a length and well wide outside off, Harry Brook hangs back and hits it square through the off side for a single.

DRINKS! England are fighting hard to keep the Ashes alive. Zak Crawley has held one end solidly, and Harry Brook is giving him support now. However, the task ahead is very big, and they will be hoping to go through Stump without further damage to give themselves even a chance of chasing this target. The wicket has started to turn a bit now, and Travis Head has looked dangerous and almost got rid of Harry Brook in the previous over. The Aussies will be hoping that they can maintain their discipline and pick up a couple of wickets before the end of the day's play to stop any chances of an England win.

43.6: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Too full and on off, driven back past the bowler and to the left of Nathan Lyon at long on for a couple of runs. Good running!

43.5: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Nagging length around off, Crawley watchfully defends.

43.4: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Tossed up around off, blocked down the pitch by Crawley.

43.3: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Fractionally short and outside off, punched away off the back foot and in front of square on the off side for a couple of runs in thedeep. The 150 also comes up for England.

43.2: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Pushed through a bit quicker and fuller around off, Crawley blocks it off.

43.1: Travis Head to Harry Brook, Oh, very lucky for Brook! Travis floats it fuller and around off stump, Harry Brook gives him the charge but fails to reach the pitch of the ball and nearly gets yorked. The ball clips the pads and rolls towards short third for a leg bye.

42.6: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Back of a length and outside off, cut away off the back foot and past the point region for another easy single. Brook seems to have found some rhythm now.

42.5: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Much fuller and brings the line back onto the stumps, Brook covers the line and keeps it out.

42.4: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Back of a length and around off, Crawley hangs back and dabs it down behind point for another single.

42.3: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Hard length now, outside off again, cut away to deep backward point again. This time the fielder is placed exactly over there and it will be a single.

42.2: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Good length, pushed wide outside off, Brook reaches out and cuts it behind the fielder at deep point for a couple of runs.

42.1: Mitchell Starc to Harry Brook, Comes around the wicket, going wider on the crease and bowls it shorter at the batter. Brook hops up and nudges it just into the leg side.

The hammer is out again to flatten the landing area. Also, Mitchell Starc is back on.

41.6: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Tossed up on middle and leg, this one turns well down leg and Alex Carey does well to pouch it.

41.5: Nathan Lyon to Harry Brook, Tossed up on a shorter length and on the pads, nurdled away past short leg for a single by Brook.

41.4: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Tossed up, full and around off, reverse-swept through the point region for a single.

41.3: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Just drags the length back a touch and bowls it on off, Crawley rocks back and punches it away through the cover region and picks up a couple of easy runs.

41.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Tossed up on the stumps, Crawley blocks it off.

41.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, A polite appeal for caught behind but the umpire shakes his head. Flighted ball on middle, this one turns down the leg side, Crawley looks to push at it but the ball goes past the inside edge and again, it is a sharp take from Carey behind the stumps.

40.6: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Nagging length on off and middle, slides straight on, Brook solidly blocks it off.

40.5: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Hits the hard length again and bowls it outside off, Brook watches it well and taps it in front of the point region.

40.4: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, On a hard length now and over middle, Brook tucks it away into the leg side.

40.3: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Good length, in line with the stumps, blocked straight down the pitch by Brook.

40.2: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Swift glovework from Alex Carey and the third umpire will have to have a look at this. Full and slanting down the leg side, Brook leans on to flick but misses and Carey whips off the bails in a flash. However, replays show that Brook never got his back leg off the ground and he is safe.

40.1: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, FOUR! Harry Brook was itching to get a boundary away, and he finally gets a loose ball. Banged in a bit shorter and outside off, Brook forces it up and over the mid-wicket region and the ball trickles away into the fence.

39.6: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Dragged length on off, turns back in but stays a fraction low. Crawley presses back and jams it out in front of mid-wicket.

39.5: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Floated up on off, turning back in, this is nudged away into the leg side by Zak.

39.4: Nathan Lyon to Harry Brook, Nice and full again, on off, reverse-swept away just in front of square on the off side for a single.

39.3: Nathan Lyon to Harry Brook, Tossed up at the stumps, Brook advances and pushes it back to the bowler. Lyon keeps him on his toes by firing the ball back at him.

39.2: Nathan Lyon to Harry Brook, Flighted ball outside off, Harry Brook sets up fr the reverse sweep and nails it to the left of deep backward point. Scott Boland runs around and slides in to save a couple of runs for his side.

39.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Bowled full and flat, just outside off, Zak Crawley plays the reverse sweep through backward point and gets a single.

38.6: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Wider on the crease, a touch fuller and angled into the pads, Brook gets inside the line to flick but the ball brushes the pads and rolls behind to the keeper. Another maiden.

38.5: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, That could have turned out really bad for Harry Brook and England. Brook premeditates and shuffles across the off stump but Boland sees him doing that and fires it full at the stumps. Brook just about manages to get the toe of the bat on it and nudges it to square leg. He even sets off for the single but has to quickly turn back.

38.4: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Good length again, around off, angling it in, Brook prods halfway and defends it out.

38.3: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Just back of a length, in and around off, Brook plays it late and with an angled bat, just to the left of Cameron Green at gully.

38.2: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Pitches the ball fuller and in the channel around off, Brook opts to stay back in his crease and blocks it off.

38.1: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Good-length delivery, in line with the off and middle stump, Brook hangs back and pushes it across into the on side.

Out comes the hammer for Boland to flatten out the landing area. Good to continue. 

37.6: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Tossed up, nice and full around off, Crawley leans on to defend. A maiden for Lyon!

37.5: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Floated up on a nagging length, tentatively played towards mid on.

37.4: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Oh, that could have easily gone to hand. Drags the length back a touch and gets the ball to stick in the deck. Zak Crawley is caught on the crease and awkwardly flicks it uppishly towards mid-wicket.

37.3: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Pushed through flatter and on off stump, Crawley presses back to defend.

37.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Nicely tossed up, outside off, Zak Crawley looks to sweep but is beaten by the extra bounce and gets a thud on the pads.

37.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flighted up, on the rough outside the right-hander's off stump, Crawley leans on to defend.

36.6: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Touch full and on middle, clipped away to mid-wicket where Khawaja stops it.

36.5: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, A lengthy appeal for LBW, but not given. Seemed to be going down leg with Carey's position behind the stumps. Boland is in chat with Cummins, but no one seems convinced enough and the timer runs out. Fires one on the leg stump line on a good length. Harry Brook is stuck on the crease and tries to work that across, but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears on the front pad. Hawk Eye shows that it would have missed the leg stump by a fair bit. 

36.4: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Fuller and straighter, around off. Crisply driven off the front foot to extra cover. Inglis with a diving stop to his right.

36.3: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Length-delivery, outside off, Crawley steers it off the back foot to deep backward point for a single.

36.2: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Short of a length, on middle, Harry Brook pulls it away to deep square leg for a single.

36.1: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Back of a length, outside off, dabbed towards gully. 

35.6: Nathan Lyon to Harry Brook, Turns in from a length, explodes off the pitch. Brook steers off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

35.5: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Full and outside off, reverse sweeps it to deep point for a single.

35.4: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, An off break that turns square with bounce on a length with a puff of dust. Left alone as it goes down leg.

35.3: Nathan Lyon to Harry Brook, Full and on off, Brook shimmies down the track and drives it to long off for a single.

35.2: Nathan Lyon to Harry Brook, A big appeal for LBW, but not given. Carey is pre-occupied with what happened behind the stumps. Cummins jogs towards the bowler and has a chat. But they don't review. Height might be the factor. Sharp turn back in from off, on a good length. Harry Brook goes on the back foot and tries to nudge it across, but seems to have missed on the inside edge and wears on the front pad. Oh, UltraEdge shows that there was an inside edge involved.

35.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, FIFTY FOR ZAK CRAWLEY! His 21st in Test cricket. This has been a controlled one from him. A half volley on off, driven down the ground to long off for three runs. 

After 4 good overs from Travis Head, Nathan Lyon replaces him from this end.

34.6: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Stump-to-stump on a fuller length. Brook blocks it off the crease to mid on.

34.5: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Nips in from a length, on middle. Harry Brook tucks it across to short mid-wicket.

34.4: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, On a tight line and length, short on off, Brook gets right behind the line and drops it down the pitch.

34.3: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Snaps his wrist and bangs it short, slanting into the batter. Brook nudges it to square leg off the back foot.

34.2: Scott Boland to Harry Brook, Hammered on a length, on off, Brook weighs back and blocks it down the surface.

34.1: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, With Carey standing up to the wickets, Boland lands it on a length, around off, Crawley heaves it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Scott Boland (5-1-6-0) comes into the attack now. Also, Alex Carey is standing up to the stumps.

33.6: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, On a fuller length, around off, Zak Crawley works it straight down the ground and calls for two straightaway. The ball slows down in the outfield and Pat Cummins hunts it down from extra cover. Three taken. England need 313 runs, with 7 wickets in hand.

33.5: Travis Head to Harry Brook, Full and outside off. Brook drives it along the ground to deep cover for a single.

33.4: Travis Head to Harry Brook, Another overpitched delivery, on off, drilled to the right of the bowler. Head stops it on his follow-through.

33.3: Travis Head to Harry Brook, A bit too full, on off, Brook plays off the back foot and bunts under his bat.

33.2: Travis Head to Harry Brook, Aims the sticks, on a fuller length, Harry nudges it off the back foot to forward short leg.

33.1: Travis Head to Harry Brook, Flat and full, outside off, Harry shimmies down a bit and pushes it back to Head.

32.6: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, A little bit of nip into the batter from a length, Zak Crawley gets behind the line and watchfully keeps it out.

32.5: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Nice and full, around off, Crawley covers the line and blocks it.

32.4: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Clubbed! On a back of a length, outside off. Zak Crawley stands tall and pulls it across to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. That has been slapped off the middle. Zak moves to 43!

32.3: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Full and straight on the fourth, Zak Crawley is solid in defence.

32.2: Pat Cummins to Harry Brook, In-between length, outside off, Brook steers it by opening the bat face and gets a single at deep backward point. 

32.1: Pat Cummins to Harry Brook, In the channel, on a length, Harry presses forward and blocks it out.

31.6: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, At 88.1 kph, full and on off. Zak Crawley takes a giant stride forward and smothers the spin.

31.5: Travis Head to Harry Brook, He punches the short ball to deep cover for a single.

31.4: Travis Head to Harry Brook, That one stays low, on a length, on middle. Harry Brook hangs deep in the crease and plays it early as the ball holds up a bit and chips it on the bounce to Head. 

31.3: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Tossed up fuller, outside off, Zak Crawley gets on the front foot and drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

31.2: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Fired in at the pads, on a length. Nudged off the back foot to backward square leg.

31.1: Travis Head to Harry Brook, Short and outside off. Harry backs away and steers it to deep backward point for a single. Brook is off the mark with Nelson on the board. 

30.6: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, A real tempter, full and outside off, Zak Crawley resists and ignores.

30.5: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Fires it full and on off, Zak Crawley presses forward and drives it to mid off, beating Cummins' dive to his left on the follow-through.

30.4: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, A searing bumper on the leg stump line. Zak sways inside the firing line and lets it fly back to the keeper.

30.3: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Short of a good length, around off, Zak Crawley hops and dabs it into the off side.

30.2: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Slows it up, on a fuller length, Crawley flicks it with soft hands to widish mid-wicket. Zak sniffs a single, but Brook sends him back as Head misses his shy at the striker's end.

30.1: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Pitched full and around off, Zak prods forward and drives it dead straight as the ball smashes into the stumps at the non-striker's end. 

29.6: Travis Head to Harry Brook, On a length, on the stumps, spinning in. Brook steers it to the leg side, in front of square.

29.5: Travis Head to Harry Brook, Full and flat, on off. A nice forward lunge as Brook blocks it back to the bowler.

29.4: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Full and on the stumps, Crawley plays with the spin and works it to long on for a single.

29.3: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Pushed full and on middle, eased back to the bowler.

29.2: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Full and just outside off, Crawley defends off the front foot. It goes off the outer half to point.

29.1: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Another one, almost! Good length ball, gripping and turning sharply back from outside off. Crawley gets forward to defend, but the inside edge balloons to the right of short leg and drops safely.

Harry Brook is the next man in.

28.6: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! The skipper strikes yet again and provides a massive breakthrough for Australia. For the 13th time in Test cricket, Cummins has dismissed Root. On a hard length, in the channel on off. Seams in and then nips away off the pitch. Root just cannot resist himself from poking at it and gets a thin outside edge behind to the keeper. Carey makes no mistake with a simple gather behind. Joe Root is livid with himself and punches the bat in frustration, letting out a huge grunt. The English premier batter departs for a well-constructed 39 (63). The 78-run partnership is broken and England are 109/3, needing 326 runs.

28.5: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Fuller one, around off, Root strides across on the front foot and drives it straight to the point fielder.

28.4: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Hits the hard length, on middle. Root defends it back to the bowler.

28.3: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Back of a length, around off, knocked off the back foot to extra cover.

28.2: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Slams the deck hard, on top of off. Root walks across and blocks it off. 

28.1: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Aims the stumps, full in length. Root blocks it straight back from the crease.

Pat Cummins to share the attack.

27.6: Travis Head to Joe Root, Length ball, nudged across to square leg for a single. 

27.5: Travis Head to Joe Root, Head lands it on the rough outside off and gets a sharp turn into the batter. Root leans forward and pads it away. A lengthy appeal for LBW, but the umpire, Ahsan Raza, is unmoved. Head is pleading, but nothing doing. Cummins has a chat with the keeper and Head and goes upstairs. Quite unusual from Root as he didn't offer any shot. Ball Tracking saves him as the ball is crashing on the off pole on the umpire's call. Just nearly. The on-field decision is upheld. The review stays for Australia, and so does Root for England.

27.4: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Full and outside off, Crawley leans on and drives it through extra cover for a single.

27.3: Travis Head to Zak Crawley, Spins in from a length, on middle. Zak nudges it off the back foot to mid on.

27.2: Travis Head to Joe Root, Tossed up on a length, outside off, Root cuts it late to backward point for a single.

27.1: Travis Head to Joe Root, Starts with a drag-downer, on middle. Root backs away and punches it to mid on.

We are back for the third and final session! Australian players are in a huddle, where Pat Cummins is giving them a pep talk before they spread out and take the field. The next two hours or so will define this Ashes. Joe Root and Zak Crawley are the two batters for England. A surprising move from the Aussie skipper as he has handed the ball to Travis Head, but the Adelaide crowd loves it as he is their local lad. Let's go...

... DAY 4, SESSION 3 ...

With the front line of Australian bowling out of attack, the scorecard was ticking along nicely with both churning out runs at a fair clip. They played spin really well and have added 75 runs together now. But Australia will be confident that a wicket or two early in the final session could put them right back in control. They are still ahead in this Test, but wouldn't want to give England an inch. 4 more sessions to go and a very important last couple of hours of the day coming up, folks. A lot hinges on which way the final session goes. Play resumes at 4.30 am GMT. Stay tuned.

Crawley played good balls on merit without rushing into anything rash. Root anchored the other end, absorbing everything the Australian seamers hurled at him as they refused to dish out any easy runs. Root switched tactics when Lyon came on though. He and Crawley then went after the spinner with intent, pulling out sweeps and reverse sweeps from the arsenal. The message was clear to not let Lyon settle into a rhythm or exploit those rough areas developing around the sticks.

England were in all sorts of trouble starting the session, with one down on just 4 runs. They needed stability and a bit of patience against some relentless new-ball bowling from Cummins and Starc. Pope looked set before his familiar demons returned, edging one through to Labuschagne, who plucked a sensational one-handed stunner. While that catch deserves all the applause, Cummins earned equal billing for threading the needle around off stump and beating the bat repeatedly through a marathon spell.

When there's a will, there's a way. England embodied that old adage in the session with a good little fightback after being reduced to 31/2 in their pursuit. Still a long way to go for them, but they did manage to strike off 101 runs in the session, losing just one wicket in 24 overs. So, the scoring rate has been decent as well. Credit goes to Root and Crawley for hanging in there and coasting their side till the end of the session.

26.6: Cameron Green to Joe Root, A big shout for LBW, but turned down! Good length and on middle, angling in a bit. Joe Root looks to flick it away but his head falls and he misses it to get hit on the pads. It rolls away towards short fine, and the batters cross for a leg bye. Pat Cummins has a chat with Cameron Green but does not take the review. It looked like going down the leg side anyway. THAT WILL ALSO BE TEA FOR DAY 4!

26.5: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, Pitched up and on middle, Zak Crawley clips it through square leg for a run.

26.4: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, Back of a length and on off, straightens a bit, Zak Crawley leaves it alone.

26.3: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Top shot! Goes full again and just around off. Zak Crawley frees his arms to reach out for it and caresses it through covers for a boundary.

26.2: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, Fuller and on off, Zak Crawley drives it to mid off.

26.1: Cameron Green to Joe Root, Short of a length and around off, Joe Root steers it through point for a single. 100 UP FOR ENGLAND!

25.6: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Darts this one full and on middle, Joe Root works it through mid-wicket for a run.

25.5: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Drags his length back, on off, Joe Root keeps it out to the off side.

25.4: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Flighted, full and on middle, Joe Root clips it away wide of the bowler, where Nathan Lyon quickly moves to his right to make a fine diving stop.

25.3: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Short again and on middle, Zak Crawley forces it towards long on for another run.

25.2: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Flatter, short and on off, Joe Root stays back and punches it to cover for a run.

25.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Floated, full and on middle, Zak Crawley reverse sweeps it to deep point for a single.

24.6: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, Pitched up and on middle, Zak Crawley drives it past the bowler and to the left of mid on for a quick one.

24.5: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, Touch fuller and around off, Zak Crawley pushes it to short cover.

24.4: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, Good length and on middle, Zak Crawley nudges it to short mid-wicket.

24.3: Cameron Green to Joe Root, Short of a length and on middle, Joe Root pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

24.2: Cameron Green to Joe Root, In the blockhole, on middle, Joe Root jams it out to mid on.

24.1: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, Fuller and around leg, Zak Crawley flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

23.6: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Quicker one, shortish and on middle, Joe Root keeps it out well.

23.5: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Drags his length back, on middle, Joe Root defends it on the back foot.

23.4: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, FOUR! Nicely done! Floated, full and just around off. Joe Root goes down and gently paddles it away. He gets it past short third, and the rest is done by the quick outfield as it races to the fence for a boundary.

23.3: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flighted, full and on off, Zak Crawley strides out and taps it to cover for a run.

23.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Tossed up, full and on off, Zak Crawley prods forward and blocks it out.

23.1: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Shorter in length and on off, Joe Root moves back and pats it towards cover for a single.

22.6: Cameron Green to Joe Root, Hard length and outside off, Joe Root cuts it to deep point for one.

22.5: Cameron Green to Joe Root, FOUR! Deft touch! Bangs this into the pitch, on off, nips back in a bit. Joe Root sways away a bit and lets it come to him. He uses the pace on the ball to steer it between first slip and gully for a boundary.

22.4: Cameron Green to Joe Root, Fuller and on middle, angling in, Joe Root clips it straight to short mid-wicket.

22.3: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, Back of a length and around middle, Zak Crawley pulls it to deep square leg for a run. That brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.

22.2: Cameron Green to Zak Crawley, There's that extra bounce! Cameron Green lands this on a hard length and on off, takes off and shapes away a bit too. Zak Crawley looks to push at it from the crease but gets beaten on the outside edge.

22.1: Cameron Green to Joe Root, Short of a length and around off, Joe Root steers it through point for a single.

21.6: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Loops it up, full and on midddle, Zak Crawley defends it on the front foot.

21.5: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Slows it up, full and on off, Joe Root goes for the reverse paddle but miscues it off the toe-end to the right of the keeper for one.

21.4: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flatter, full and on off, Zak Crawley reverse sweeps it to deep point for for a single.

21.3: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Lovely shot! Floated, full and around off. Zak Crawley gets a big stride out, plays it with a still head, and creams it through covers for a boundary.

21.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flighted, full and on middle, Zak Crawley blocks it out.

21.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, A big appeal for LBW, but turned down! Tossed up, full and on off, turns in a bit. Zak Crawley presses forward to clip it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads. Pat Cummins has a chat with Lyon but does not take the review. It turns out to be the right call as Ball Tracking shows that the impact is umpire's call and the ball is also spinning away past the leg stump.

20.6: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Pitched up and on middle and off, Joe Root is solid in his defense. MAIDEN OVER!

20.5: Scott Boland to Joe Root, On a length and on off, Joe Root pats it towards short cover.

20.4: Scott Boland to Joe Root, A bit fuller and on off, Joe Root gets forward and pushes it to cover-point.

20.3: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Joe Root stays back and blocks it back to the bowler.

20.2: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Good length and on off, nips back in a bit, Joe Root watches it through and leaves it alone.

20.1: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Short of a length and on off, Joe Root dabs it down to gully.

19.6: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Shortish and on middle, turns in, Zak Crawley clips it towards square leg and wants the run, but is sent back and rightly so.

19.5: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Drags his length back, on middle, Zak Crawley pats it down to short leg.

19.4: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, FOUR! Gets it away! Tossed up, full and around off. Zak Crawley goes down and drags his sweep beautifully in front of square on the leg side for a boundary. These two are trying to put Lyon under a bit of pressure here.

19.3: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Goes short and on off, Zak Crawley moves back and blocks it out well.

19.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flighted, full and on off, turns in, Zak Crawley goes down for the reverse sweep but fails to connect and gets hit on the pads.

19.1: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Floated, short and on middle, turns in, Joe Root flicks it off the back foot through square leg for a single.

18.6: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Fuller one and on off, Zak Crawley pushes it to short cover.

18.5: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Back of a length and on off, Zak Crawley stays back as Alex Carey is up to the stumps. He pats it down towards short cover.

18.4: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Touch fuller and on middle, Zak Crawley clips it to mid-wicket.

18.3: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Good length and on off, Joe Root guides it past point for a single.

18.2: Scott Boland to Joe Root, BEAUTY! Scott Boland lands this on a good length and on off, angles in, and then shapes away after hitting the deck. Joe Root shuffles across to play at it but gets squared up as the ball zips past the outside edge. Has a smile on his face, but that was really close.

18.1: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Short of a length and on off, Joe Root stays back and dabs it towards point.

The plan is clear from Root and Crawley. They are not going let Lyon settle by sweeping and reverse sweeping. Australia won't mind that as there is just enough turn and bounce off the rough patches, and one odd might just nick behind or go off the top edge. Sweeping is always a double-edged sword on a deteriorating surface. It's all about how these two execute their shots.

17.6: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Slows it up, full and on middle, Zak Crawley blocks it down the pitch.

17.5: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Pushed through quicker, full and on off, turns in. Joe Root gets down and across to paddle it but misses as it goes off his pads towars short fine. A leg bye taken.

17.4: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flatter, full and on off, Zak Crawley swipes it away to deep mid-wicket for another run.

17.3: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, Tossed up, full and on off, Joe Root gets down and sweeps it to deep square leg for a run.

17.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flighted, full and on middle, Zak Crawley tucks it through square leg for a single.

17.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Floated, full and on middle, turns in. Zak Crawley goes down across to paddle it away. It bounces a bit extra and takes the gloves before rolling towards fine leg. Two taken.

16.6: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Short of a length and on off, Joe Root dabs it down to gully.

Boland loses his run-up just when he was about to release the ball. Walks back to reload.

16.5: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Hard length and on off, holds its line. Joe Root takes a couple of steps forward and across to steer it to point.

16.4: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Fuller and on middle, Zak Crawley clips it wide of mid on, where Pat Cummins slides to his right to make a good stop. They cross.

16.3: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Back of a length and on middle, Zak Crawley keeps it out on the deck.

16.2: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Hard length and on off, Zak Crawley pats it on the pitch and the bounce takes it over the bowler towards mid off.

16.1: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Good length and on off, nips back in a bit, Zak Crawley watches it through and leaves it alone.

15.6: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, FOUR! The other way this time! Nathan Lyon gives this one some more air, full and on off. Joe Root goes down again, changes his grip early, and plays the reverse sweep to perfection to the deep third fence for another boundary. 9 runs off Lyon's first over.

15.5: Nathan Lyon to Joe Root, FOUR! Nice shot! Flighted, full and on middle and leg. Joe Root gets down on one knee and absolutely nails the sweep to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

15.4: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Flatter, full and on middle, Zak Crawley goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

15.3: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Another appeal, but turned down! Slows it up, full and on middle, turns in sharply. Zak Crawley misses his flick and it goes off his pads to the keeper. Lyon already asking a few tough questions here.

15.2: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, A shout for a bat pad, but not given! Floated, full and on middle, turns in. Zak Crawley strides out to defend but misses. It lobs up off his pads to the right of short leg, where Travis Head dives and takes a one-handed catch.

15.1: Nathan Lyon to Zak Crawley, Hmm... showing intent right away! Tossed up, full and on middle, Zak Crawley reverse sweeps it nicely but straight to point.

Time for spin now. Here's Nathan Lyon. He replaces Pat Cummins. Several footmarks to exploit for Garry.

14.6: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Pitched up and on middle, Zak Crawley flicks it through square leg for a run.

14.5: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Hard length and on off, angling in, Zak Crawley steps across and clips it to mid-wicket.

14.4: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Back of a length and on off, nips back in a bit, Zak Crawley watches it through and leaves it alone.

14.3: Scott Boland to Zak Crawley, Touch fuller and on off, Zak Crawley steers it towards point. Josh Inglis shows a bit of his football skills and juggles the ball. The crowd enjoyed it.

14.2: Scott Boland to Joe Root, On a length and on off, Joe Root guides it off the outer half of the bat wide of gully. Cameron Green dives to his right but fails to stop it. However, Nathan Lyon at point dives to his left to stop it. A single taken. Also, 50 up for England,

14.1: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Good length and around off, Joe Root presses forward and blocks it out towards short cover.

DRINKS! Australia have been fantastic with the ball in this first hour or so. They have kept tight lines and lengths and made run-scoring very difficult. Skipper has led from the front and got his reward as well, getting rid of Ollie Pope, but much credit goes to Marnus Labuschagne for an incredible catch. It looks like the English are stuck in two minds at the moment. They are neither fully going after it, but are also finding it tough to keep out the Aussie bowlers. A lot will depend on Joe Root and how he plays here as the Ashes is on the line for them.

13.6: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Full and at 135.1 kph, on off. Zak Crawley lunges forward and blocks it solidly. 

13.5: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Zips through the deck, outside off, left alone by Crawley.

13.4: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, A pearler! Lands it outside off, on a fuller length, nips away a fraction across the bat face and beats Zak on his forward defence. This has been some spell from Cummins. 

13.3: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Short of a good length, on off and middle, Joe Root hops on the toes and nudges it with soft hands to deep backward square leg. Pushes hard for the first one but Beau Webster charges in off the ropes and prevents the second run. 

13.3: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Zeroing in on off, full in length. Joe leans on and defends it to the off side. Cummins has overstepped here and it is called a No Ball. 

13.2: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Back of a length, on off, Root blocks down the pitch.

13.1: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Full and around off, Zak shuffles outside off and clips it past mid-wicket for a single.

12.6: Scott Boland to Joe Root, EDGED, DOES NOT CARRY! Almost a similar delivery to which Pope was dismissed. Good-length delivery, straightening up on off. Joe Root plays from the crease and goes with soft hands. Gets a thick outside edge, but it goes on the bounce to Khawaja at first slip and deflects away.

12.5: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Back of a length, outside off, nudged off the back foot by Root, but he cannot get past Beau Webster's big buckets.

12.4: Scott Boland to Joe Root, On a hard length, at the pads, worked through square leg for a couple.

12.3: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Folds back in from the fourth stump, Root defends it to point.

12.2: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Length-delivery, outside off, dabbed with soft hands to gully. 

12.1: Scott Boland to Joe Root, Beats the bat immediately! Root walks forward to negate any sort of movement on a good length. It nips away just enough to beat Root on his back foot defence, squaring him up.

Scott Boland comes into the attack for the first time in this innings.

11.6: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Hits the deck hard, outside off, no shot offered.

11.5: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Excellent commitment in the field! Short ball, on top of off. Crawley stands tall and pulls it to the left of deep mid-wicket. Jake Weatherald dives across and fumbles a bit, but he is quick to recover. Two taken. England need 391 runs now. 

11.4: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Cummins bowls from a wider angle and slants it into Crawley on a good length. The English opener defends it watchfully to mid on.

11.3: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, At 134.7 kph, full and on that fourth-fifth stump line. Root draws the front foot out and steers it past point for a single. 

11.2: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Hard length, on off, blocked off the back foot. 

11.1: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Good channel! A tempter from Cummins, just outside off, nipping away a shade. Root just withdraws his bat inside the line to leave. 

10.6: Mitchell Starc to Joe Root, Thunders in on a length, outside off, Root plays it deliberately late between point and gully for a single. 

10.5: Mitchell Starc to Joe Root, Outside off, on a length, Root ignores. 

10.4: Mitchell Starc to Joe Root, FOUR! Root is off the mark! Very full, on the leg stump line. Joe Root gets a bit across and flicks it to deep backward square leg for a boundary. Starc isn't too pleased with the landing area just yet.

10.3: Mitchell Starc to Joe Root, Shoots it full and wide on off, Root offers no shot. 

10.2: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Short of a good length, on middle and leg, nudged off the back foot to mid-wicket for a single.

10.1: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, FOUR! That's just pinged off his blade! Too full from Starc, outside off, Zak Crawley presses forward and creams it through extra cover for a cracking boundary. 

9.6: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Pumps it on a good length, on top of middle. Root gets behind the line and defends it across. 

9.5: Pat Cummins to Joe Root, Seams away, outside off, on a length. Root leaves it alone. 

Joe Root comes out to the middle now

9.4: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, OUT! NICKED BEHIND! A screamer of a catch from Marnus Labuschagne. Consistent bowling in the channel brings the reward for the Aussie skipper. It is fractionally full, slightly outside off, Pope cannot resist from poking at it on the front foot. Ekes out a thick outside edge as the ball straightens a touch. Dips low and left to the second slip. Marnus Labuschagne shows great flexibility as he dives and stretches out his left hand to scoop the ball one-handed. And he is off in celebration like a happy little kid, with his teammates joining him for that stunner. Ollie Pope departs for 17 (29) and England are 31/2, needing 404 runs. 

9.3: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, Short at 139.3 kph, outside off. Pope is rushed on the back foot and tries to pull it, but cops a blow on the elbow before the ball brushes the helmet grille. 

9.2: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, Length ball, on off, Pope bunts it straight.

9.1: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, BEATEN! Lovely bowling! Angles in and then seams away from a fuller length, on the fourth stump. A tempter to which Pope draws the front foot forward to block, and gets beaten by the zipper.

8.6: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Starc keeps causing trouble! He lands it on a good length, and gets it to nip back in on off. Zak Crawley tentatively tries to block, but gets an inside edge and the ball caves behind the flap of the back pad. 

8.5: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Length-delivery, on the leg stump. Pope nudges behind square on the leg side for a single.

8.4: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, At 144.1 kph, this one jags back in a long way, on a good length. Ollie Pope is off-balanced while trying to negotiate that and gets slammed on the back thigh pad.

8.3: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Back of a length, outside off, Pope opens the bat's face at the point of contact and guides it between gully and backward point. Lyon from backward point chases it with a slide. Two taken. 

8.2: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Slammed on a hard length, around off. Pope ignores.

We can see Nathan Lyon warming up and doing some stretches. Probably, we will see him soon with the ball.

8.1: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Slides across off, full, Pope leaves on the front foot.

7.6: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, A teaser from Cummins at 135 kph, just outside off, Crawley leaves it on a length.

7.6: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, On top of off, Crawley hangs back and taps it to cover. Uh, oh! Cummins has overstepped. Umpire Ahsan Raza signals No Ball. 

7.5: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Closer to the stumps, on a fuller length. Crawley dinks it to mid on. 

7.4: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Feeds on a good length, on off, Crawley defends with a forward press. 

7.3: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Speared in full, on the fourth stump. Crawley leans on and defends it to point. 

7.2: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, Tap and run! Full and on off, Pope presses forward and eases it towards extra cover for a single. 

7.1: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, Outside off, a length ball, left alone by Pope.

6.6: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, At 144 kph, miles outside off, full in length. Crawley is happy to see that off. 

6.5: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, The length is dragged back on a length, outside leg. Pope shuffles across and glances it towards deep backward square leg for one more. 

6.4: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, FOUR! That will make him feel confident! A bit too full and outside off. Ollie Pope gets his hands through the line and drives it to the right of point for a boundary.

6.3: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Straighter this time, outside off and full. Ollie Pope gets on the front foot and drives it off the toe end towards mid off. 

6.2: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Lovely delivery! Boomerangs back in and around the off pole, full in length. Pope strides across and offers no shot. 

6.1: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Touch full, on off, blocked off the front foot to short extra cover.

5.6: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Good-length delivery, outside off, Zak steps forward and steers it to backward point. 

5.5: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, On a nagging length, outside off, Zak leaves. 

5.4: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, PEACH! In-between length, straightens up a bit from off, Zak Crawley stands tall, plays inside the line and the ball flirts past his blade on the way to the keeper.

5.3: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, Nip-backer on a good length, Pope gets across and tucks it between square leg and mid-wicket for a single. 

5.2: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, Straighter and fuller, on middle. Ollie Pope leans on and blocks it under his eyes. 

5.1: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, POPE IS BEATEN! Seams away from the good length, just outside off. Ollie Pope is squared up on the back foot defence and gets beaten past the outside edge.

4.6: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Nips away from off, on a length. Well left by Crawley.

4.5: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Length ball at the pads, flicked off the back foot to mid-wicket. 

Mitchell Starc is not happy with his landing area. One of the ground staff members comes out and puts some sawdust there. We are good to go...

A couple of balls ago, Mitchell Starc was given a warning for running into the danger area.

4.4: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Just outside off, good length, Crawley leaves as the ball keeps nibbling away.

4.3: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Hits the deck hard around middle and leg. Crawley hangs back and solidly knocks it down the strip.

4.2: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Slanting outside off, on a hard length. Zak leaves it alone. 

4.1: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, FOUR LEG BYES! Back of length, outside leg. Zak gets inside to nudge it around the corner, but misses. The ball deflects of the thigh pad and races away to the deep fine leg fence.

3.6: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, BEAUTY! Nearly draws the edge! Hones in on a fuller length, on the fifth stump line, getting it to just straighten up. Ollie Pope is sucked onto the front foot and tries to block but gets beaten on the outside edge by a kitten-whisker. 

3.5: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, Just outside off, slightly short, Pope covers the line and decides to leave. 

3.4: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, EDGED, FOUR! Inglis was in the game at third slip. Cuts away from a fuller length, around off. Ollie Pope is drawn forward and pushes at it with hard hands. It goes off the outside edge and shoots flat, between gully and the diving Inglis at third slip before running to the fence behind.

3.3: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, And Crawley's away! Hard length, angling in at the pads. Crawley rides the bounce and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a quick single.

3.2: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Beauty! Just around the off stump, on a length. Zak covers the stumps and makes a tight leave. 

3.1: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Nip and bounce into the batter, on a good length, on off. Zak Crawley drags the bat in front and defends it off the inner half to the leg side.

Who bowls now? It will be the skipper Pat Cummins.

2.6: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Slants across off on a good length. Left alone by Pope. 

2.5: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Fuller ball, on the leg stump line. Pope tries to flick, but closes the bat face a bit early. The leading edge is found and the ball rolls towards point. 

2.4: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, On a hard length, at 141.3 kph, extra bounce outside off. Ollie Pope defends it off the front foot and it goes off the splice to backward point. Could have gone anywhere. 

2.3: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Wide across the off stump, on a good length. Pope offers no shot. 

2.2: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, Much fuller, swinging in from middle. Pope flicks off the pads to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 

2.1: Mitchell Starc to Ollie Pope, FOUR BYES! Oh, hello? That has taken off from the runway like a flight. Short from Starc, angling across off. Ollie Pope hangs his bat in the air and leaves. The ball flies over Carey, who stretches his hands over his head and leaps to grab, but parries it off the gloves behind to the ropes. 

We are back for the post-Lunch session! The Australian players spread out from the huddle and take up their respective field positions. Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley will resume batting for England and need to be at their absolute best to give the visitors any chance in this game. Mitchell Starc to start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...

Everyone knew England would take the aggressive route in pursuit of this daunting target, but first, the openers had to survive a tricky 10-minute passage until Lunch. As we have seen throughout this Ashes, pressure moments have often undone them, and it happened again here. Ben Duckett got off the mark in style, whipping Pat Cummins through mid-wicket for a boundary, but the Aussie skipper hit back immediately, finding his edge next ball to ensure Australia had the final say in the session. Zak Crawley and Cummins then engaged in a brief game of cat and mouse, and with that, the stage is set for a fascinating post-Lunch session. Join us at 2.10 am GMT for all the action.

The overnight batters, Travis Head and Alex Carey, came out with a clear intent to push the lead further, doing so without taking undue risks, while England were not particularly aggressive in their approach either. Head cruised past 150 but was the first to fall, undone by a well-set short-ball plan from Josh Tongue. Carey followed soon after, with Ben Stokes pulling off a masterstroke by placing a leg slip. With both set batters dismissed, the rest of the Australian lineup could not offer much resistance, as Tongue, Carse, and Jofra Archer wrapped up the tail swiftly.

A fighting session from England, but they remain well behind in the game. To keep themselves in the contest, they needed to wrap up Australia quickly, and they did just that by taking the last six wickets for only 78 runs. However, in the bigger picture, the target staring them down was still a daunting 435. Then came the hammer blow, as Ben Duckett could not survive a couple of overs at the crease, and the Aussies will feel that they may not need a final day here.

1.6: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, BEAUTY! Cummins bangs it on a good length, just around off. Zak Crawley is squared up on the back foot, tries to block it out, but the ball straightens up and zips past the outside edge. And that will be LUNCH on Day 4!

1.5: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, In the channel of off, on a length, Zak blocks it back to the bowler. He does some gardening to delay. And Cummins now joins in cheekily and adjusts his shoelaces. It's all happening out there, and the crowd is going wild as Crawley backs away when Cummins is about to deliver the final ball. 

1.4: Pat Cummins to Zak Crawley, Short and on top of middle, Zak Crawley gets right behind it and bunts it down the strip.

1.3: Pat Cummins to Ollie Pope, Length ball, outside off, nipping away, driven on the up through cover and mid off for a single. Pope is off the mark.

Ollie Pope walks out to bat at number 3.

1.2: Pat Cummins to Ben Duckett, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN SAFELY! Brilliant comeback from Cummins. Proper Test match bowling. England's vulnerability against the new ball and their opening partnership struggles continue. The Aussie skipper cranks it up and lands it on a good length, wide outside off. It straightens just enough from the pitch and tempts the southpaw to poke at it. Duckett loosely hangs his bat away from his body with no footwork and gets a thick outside edge. It flies towards Marnus Labuschagne at second slip, who makes no mistake with a regulation grab. A nothing shot, really. Could have easily left alone. But that's what lack of confidence does to you. Ben Duckett goes for 4 (2) and England are 4/1, chasing 435 runs. 

1.1: Pat Cummins to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Off the mark straightaway! The ball has travelled to the ropes in no time. Cummins begins from around the stumps and lands it full, on middle, angling back in. Ben Duckett whips off the front foot through mid-wicket for a boundary. 

Pat Cummins to share the attack.

0.6: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Hammers it on a good length, angling across off, Zak Crawley rides the bounce and dabs it to backward point. Starc starts off with a MAIDEN!

0.5: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Aims the sticks, does Starc, clocking 144 kph, on a fullish length. Zak Crawley gets on the front foot and defends it out. 

0.4: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, BEATEN! That's the one that angles in and then seams away, fractionally fuller and in the channel of uncertainty. Zak Crawley is sucked on the front foot to defend, but gets beaten on the outside edge. 

0.3: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Bashed hard on a length, on top of off, at 142.5 kph. Zak Crawley hangs back and blocks it solidly to the leg side.

0.2: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Closer to off pole, swings back in late from a length, Zak Crawley prods half-forward and dabs it with soft hands to gully. 

0.1: Mitchell Starc to Zak Crawley, Stars off with a length-delivery, at 146.6 kph, with a gentle inward shape, outside off. Crawley leaves.