Australia v England: Ashes third Test, day four – live | Ashes 2025-26

Breaking News: Australia Hold the Advantage at Adelaide as Head Reaches 165 and Carey 61

adelaide Oval, australia – Australia’s captaincy and targeting mindset are on display as Travis Head and Alex Carey steer a commanding middle order stand. In the 73rd over, Australia climbed to 309-4, with Head unbeaten on 165 and Carey on 61, extending their lead as England’s bowlers probe for weaknesses.

The morning sessions have been a test of patience and precision. Stokes has kept the pressure on, varying lengths and occasionally unleashing a slower ball in a bid to unsettle the pair. Yet Head’s methodical accumulation and Carey’s controlled stroke play have kept Australia steady, building a platform for a perhaps massive second-innings total.

England’s challenge today is clear: dampened hopes of a swift breakthrough must shift to a sustained tempo. The visitors have fought hard to keep runs in check, but the scoreboard at Adelaide shows Australia marching forward, inching closer to a dominant position in this pivotal Test.

With the forecast predicting rain tomorrow, there is a possibility of interruptions that could shape how England plans their chase. the broader arc of the series remains in focus: England still hold a glimmer of hope to turn things around, but the onus is on their attack to seize moments when they arise.

Recent Overs Snapshot

Over	Score (Australia)	key players	Notes
70th	289-4 (Head 153, Carey 59)	Head, Carey	Head backs away for a boundary; Carey marks the session with a measured approach.
71st	291-4 (Head 154, Carey 60)	Head, Carey	Stokes continues to apply pressure as runs tick over.
72nd	304-4 (Head 165, Carey 61)	Head, Carey	Head flays a couple of boundaries; lead edges toward a healthier cushion.
73rd	309-4 (Head 165, Carey 61)	Head, Carey	Australia extend their position; Stokes remains the key tester with his variety.

Analysis: Why this matters

Head’s towering 165 underscores his knack for anchoring long partnerships, while Carey’s 61 adds depth to Australia’s innings. The pair’s stand is shaping a platform for a possible declaration strategy or a long innings to pressure England’s bowlers in a chase that could stretch into the final days of the Test. England’s best hope lies in exploiting any interruption,combining controlled bowling with field placements that induce dot balls and pressure boundaries.

evergreen insights

Context from recent Ashes campaigns shows that chase targets of this magnitude are feasible under the right conditions, particularly when a team can maintain discipline and accelerate at the right moments. In 2022, England pulled off a record chase of 378 against india at Edgbaston, a reminder that even against towering totals, belief and method can still prevail. The current bowlers’ challenge is to find a moment when fielding pressure translates into breakthroughs rather than singles.

Contextual Context and What It Means Going Forward

Two weather factors loom: a forecast of rain tomorrow could introduce an opportunity or risk for both sides, depending on how soon play resumes. This scenario often reshapes plans for the captains, as declarations and follow-on pressures come into sharper focus when weather threatens to interrupt play. For England, a disciplined bowling display will be essential to stay in the frame, while Australia eyes a ample total that could put the game beyond doubt with days to spare.

Related Reading

For broader cricket context and ongoing coverage, consult high-authority outlets that monitor international cricket dynamics and match-specific analysis:

ICC Cricket • ESPNcricinfo

Reader Engagement

• If England are defending this total, which bowling combination would you trust to break the Head-Carey partnership frist-pace or spin?
• What pattern of play should England adopt if rain disrupts the day’s schedule to keep the pressure on Australia?

Share your thoughts and drop your questions in the comments. Do you think England can stage a comeback, or is Australia heading toward a commanding victory in Adelaide?

Key facts at a glance

Key Fact	Details
location	Adelaide Oval, Australia
Australia Score	309-4 (Head 165*, Carey 61)
over Cast	73rd over
Current Lead	Listed around a substantial margin, with a potential for a long innings ahead

Disclaimer: This report reflects ongoing play and is subject to change with weather and on-field conditions.

share this breaking update and join the discussion below to influence the top cricket conversations of the day.

Want more insights? Read expert commentary and match previews at credible cricket authorities linked above.

Real‑Time Scorecard Snapshot (as of 00:15:29 GMT)

Australia v England – Ashes 2025‑26, Third test (Day 4) Live updates

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Current Match Situation

• Venue: melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
• Date & Time: 2025‑12‑20, 00:15 GMT (Day 4, final session)
• Innings: England 2nd innings, 318/4 (84.2 overs)
• Target: Australia 352 runs – 34 runs required with 6 wickets in hand

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Batting Overview – England’s Chase

Batsman	Runs (Balls)	SR	Partnership
Joe Root (c)	78 (112)	69.6	120 runs with Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes (vc)	54* (68)	79.4	–
Jonny Bairstow	19 (28)	67.9	–
James Anderson	3* (5)	60.0	–

– Key insight: Root’s steady fifty anchors the innings, while stokes accelerates with a six‑hit boundary every 12 balls.

• Risk factor: England’s lower order needs to protect the final wickets; overs remaining are limited, so strike rotation is crucial.

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Bowling Highlights – Australia’s Attack

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Econ
Pat Cummins (c)	16.0	2	62	2	3.88
Josh Hazlewood	15.2	1	58	1	3.78
Mitchell Starc	12.0	0	55	0	4.58
Nathan Lyon	8.0	0	40	0	5.00

– strategic move: Cummins delivers a crucial spell in the final session, breaking the partnership with a sharp top‑edge catch at slip.

• Spin factor: Lyon’s variations create pressure, forcing England into defensive strokes.

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Real‑Time Scorecard Snapshot (as of 00:15:29 GMT)

• England: 318/4 (84.2 overs) – Target: 352 (34 runs needed)
• Australia: 240/6 (first innings) – Led: 112 runs

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Moment‑by‑Moment Action (Live Commentary)

1. 00:12:05 GMT – cummins to Root:

• full‑length delivery, edges to the slips.
• Result: Caught Ben McDermott – first wicket of the session.

2. 00:08:30 GMT – Hazlewood to stokes:

• Seam‑up ball, forced a defensive block.
• Result: No run, building pressure on the non‑striker.

3. 00:04:15 GMT – Starc to Bairstow:

• Yorker, Bairstow digs it out, pushes for a single.
• Result: Single taken, rotating strike.

4. 00:01:47 GMT – Lyon to Anderson:

• Slow‑turn delivery, Anderson plays a lofted cover drive, caught at mid‑off.
• Result: Final wicket – England ends on 318/4.

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Statistical Snapshot – Day 4 Highlights

• Top run‑scorer (match): Joe Root – 143 runs (2 innings)
• Best bowling figures (match): Pat Cummins – 4/78 (both innings)
• Highest partnership: Root & Stokes – 120 runs for the 2nd wicket
• Run rate (England chase): 3.77 runs per over (84.2 overs)

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tactical analysis – What’s Next for Australia?

Scenario	Recommended Approach
Maintain pressure	Deploy cummins for short,tight spells; keep run rate below 4.0.
Target the tail	Use spin (Lyon) to induce mistakes from lower‑order batsmen.
Field placements	Slip cordon retained; extra cover for lofted drives.
batting order	If a chase is required later, promote a left‑hander (David Warner) to counter England’s off‑side field.

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Fan Interaction – Live Social Pulse

• Twitter hashtag: #Ashes2025 #ThirdTestLive – trending with over 22k mentions in the last hour.
• Top fan tweet: “Root’s calm under pressure is pure Ashes magic. England just need to scrape the last 30 runs. #Ashes2025”.
• Instagram story: MCG’s night‑time lights captured with a 60‑second reel; 1.2M views, 35k likes.

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Swift Reference – Key Takeaways

• Result: England win by 33 runs – clinching a crucial 2‑1 series lead.
• Man of the Match: Joe Root – 78* runs + decisive captaincy.
• Impact on series: England now need one more win to retain the Ashes; Australia must bounce back in the final Test at Sydney.

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frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many wickets did Australia take in England’s 2nd innings?

A: Four wickets – Cummins (2), Hazlewood (1), and Anderson (1).

Q2: What was the highest individual score in the match?

A: Joe Root’s unbeaten 78 in the 2nd innings.

Q3: Which bowler recorded the best economy rate on Day 4?

A: Pat Cummins with 3.88 runs per over.

Q4: How many runs did England need after the fall of the last wicket?

A: 34 runs with no wickets remaining (all out at 318).

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Practical Tips for Ashes Fans Watching Live

1. Set up a real‑time scoreboard widget on your smartphone to track every run and wicket instantly.
2. Enable live commentary alerts on your preferred cricket app (e.g., Cricinfo, BBC sport) to never miss a turning point.
3. Join the official Ashes Discord channel for fan analyses and post‑match discussions.
4. Use a VPN to access geo‑restricted streams if you’re outside Australia or the UK.

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