- England’s batting collapse in Adelaide leaves them closer to an irretrievable 3-0 deficit against Australia.
- Rory Archer’s five-wicket haul for England ends the day with Australia at 371 and England at 132 for five.
- Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Ben Duckett fell early in England’s innings, while Joe Root and Harry Brook managed to score a half-century.
- Australia’s Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon were crucial in dismissing the top-order of England.
England’s Hopes Hang by a Thread: Ashes Battle Heats Up in Adelaide
In what has become an increasingly grim reality for England, their batting collapse on the second day of the third Test in Adelaide leaves them closer to an irretrievable 3-0 deficit against Australia. The top-order’s familiar wilt marks another low point as the Ashes series hangs by a thread.
England’s Batting Implodes
The day started with England’s batting imploding once again, dealing a body blow to their hopes of keeping the Ashes alive. Under the scorching 40-degree temperatures, England’s top-order struggled on a benign surface. Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Ben Duckett fell in rapid succession, unable to last the course.
Even Joe Root, often seen as the rock of England’s batting line-up, was brought down by Pat Cummins’ fine delivery just before lunch, only to be spared a DRS review that could have gone either way. Harry Brook managed to score 45 and shared a half-century stand with Ben Stokes but was ultimately unable to mount an effective resistance.
England’s Top Order Falters
The collapse of England’s top-order saw the hosts start the day by adding another 45 runs for their last two wickets against indisciplined bowling. However, Jofra Archer eventually picked off Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon to close the innings with a first Test five-for since 2019. His figures of five for 53 on a surface that was supposed to favor England highlight the under-performance of their batting group.
England’s record run-scorer, Joe Root, offered a caught behind chance off Scott Boland, but managed to avoid the DRS review.
Zak Crawley was first to fall for nine, caught behind trying to defend a fine delivery from Cummins, and Ollie Pope gifted his wicket with a horribly tame chip to midwicket for three.
Ben Duckett picked up some cheap boundaries against the new ball but old frailties were quickly exposed. Duckett was bowled by Cameron Green’s classic off-break that snaked past the outside edge, bringing Lyon level with Australian great Glenn McGrath on 563 and into sixth on the all-time list.
England’s Number Three Under Fire
Ollie Pope’s innings ended in an awkward 10-ball stay, flicking limply to midwicket. This performance has brought him under scrutiny as he averages 17.66 in 15 innings against Australia and looks a long way from improving that damning record.
The day felt like England could have had a better outcome but old issues were quickly exposed. England’s number one batter, Joe Root, offered a caught behind chance off Scott Boland with just one to his name, only to be spared by a DRS review that could have gone either way.
Ultimately, he nicked Cummins through to Alex Carey for 19 in the third over after lunch.
Ben Stokes blocked out the rest of the session from one end, trying to lead an apparently futile resistance, while Brook scored more busily before edging a neat seamer Green. The conditions set up for an under-performing batting group to make hay but instead, England’s hopes hang by a thread in Adelaide.
The series stands at 2-0 in favor of Australia with the final Test to be played in Sydney. England must find a way to turn their form around if they are to avoid an Ashes whitewash and preserve any semblance of pride in this challenging tour.
