Published: 20 December,2025
England’s Ashes campaign is rapidly unravelling after another dramatic batting failure and a fresh Snicko/DRS controversy left them staring down the barrel of defeat in the Third Test at Adelaide Oval.
At stumps on day three, Australia were 371 all out, built around a superb Alex Carey century (106) and a fluent Usman Khawaja 82, before reducing England to 213-8 in punishing 41-degree heat. England now trail by 158 runs, are 2–0 down in the series, and appear on course to lose the Ashes inside just 10 days of cricket.
Match State: Australia in Total Control
Australia’s commanding first-innings total was underpinned by Carey’s composure under pressure and Khawaja’s control at the top of the order. England’s lone bright spot with the ball was Jofra Archer, whose return figures of 5-53 provided rare resistance.
Yet any hope that effort would spark a revival evaporated quickly as England’s batting once again faltered against a relentless Australian attack.
England’s Batting Collapse in Brutal Conditions
England’s reply unravelled alarmingly on what was widely regarded as a good batting surface. In searing heat, the tourists slumped to 42-3, losing three wickets for just five runs in 15 balls.
The collapse echoed familiar Ashes themes: tentative defence, poor shot selection and an inability to absorb sustained pressure. By the time the middle order arrived, Australia had seized complete control.
Stokes Stands Alone as the Empire Crumbles
Amid the chaos, Ben Stokes once again embodied England’s resistance. His 45 not out from 151 balls was an innings of grit rather than flair, marked by physical toll — a blow to the helmet, visible cramping, and exhaustion in oppressive heat.
Stokes found brief support from Harry Brook, who scored a controlled 45 from 63 balls, consciously reining in his natural aggression before edging Cameron Green to the slips.
Archer followed his bowling heroics with a stubborn 30 not out, sharing an unbroken stand with Stokes that spared England complete humiliation — for now.
Dismissals Raise Selection Alarms
England’s top and middle order again failed to convince.
- Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were undone by high-quality deliveries from Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, beaten by pace and bounce.
- Ollie Pope’s loose flick against Lyon was described by commentators as “foolish and fatal”, intensifying scrutiny on his No.3 position, which now appears under serious threat.
- Joe Root, after surviving an early chance, once again fell to his long-time Ashes nemesis Cummins, edging behind for 19.
Pressure is mounting on England’s selectors as the same vulnerabilities continue to surface.
Snicko and DRS Under Fire
The Test has also been overshadowed by renewed controversy surrounding Snicko and DRS, following a series of contentious decisions.
On the previous day, Alex Carey was controversially reprieved after Snicko failed to detect an apparent edge. On day three, Steve Smith survived when Snicko indicated the ball struck helmet rather than glove — only to be dismissed the following over, caught behind attempting a wild pull.
Broadcast technology provider BBG Sports later defended the Snicko readings, but frustration was evident on both sides, with one on-field quip that “Snicko should be sacked” summing up the mood.
Australia’s Relentless Grip on the Series
Despite the noise around technology, the Snicko debate “cannot mask the gulf in class” between the sides.
Australia’s attack was once again outstanding:
- Pat Cummins: 3-54 on return
- Nathan Lyon: 2 wickets
- Scott Boland: 2 wickets
With a significant lead already established, Australia are expected to bat England out of the match before unleashing Cummins and company once more. Another Ashes triumph as captain now appears inevitable.
A Familiar Ashes Story
For England, the pattern is becoming painfully familiar: flashes of individual resilience overshadowed by collective failure. For Australia, it is a display of depth, discipline and dominance that has defined this series.
Unless England can summon something extraordinary, Adelaide may mark not just the loss of another Test — but the moment the Ashes slipped decisively beyond reach.
