Australia continued to assert its dominance over England in the third Test match at Adelaide, with significant contributions from bowlers Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. On a day marked by high temperatures exceeding 40°C, Cummins claimed three wickets while Lyon took two, pushing England to the brink as they struggled to respond effectively. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, provided some resistance with an unbeaten 45 runs, but the team faced a daunting challenge after a lackluster batting performance.
Thursday presented a crucial opportunity for England to regain control in the series, but the Australian bowlers quickly silenced any hopes. Mitchell Starc contributed 54 runs from the tail, extending Australia’s innings and setting the stage for a commanding bowling display. The absence of Cummins in the first two Tests had raised questions, but his return to form proved pivotal.
Cummins demonstrated his skill by dismissing both Zak Crawley and Joe Root, with the latter’s dismissal marking the twelfth time Cummins has claimed England’s premier batsman. His ability to angle the ball effectively led to Crawley’s edge, a testament to Cummins’ precision. Lyon’s performance was equally impressive; he quickly took two wickets in his first over. This achievement brought his career total to 564 Test wickets, placing him second on Australia’s all-time bowling list, just behind the legendary Shane Warne.
Lyon’s first wicket came from a simple catch as Ollie Pope fell for just three runs, continuing his disappointing tour. The spinner then outfoxed Ben Duckett, clean bowling the left-hander for 29 runs. Cameron Green also contributed, sending Harry Brook back to the pavilion for 45 runs, further deepening England’s woes.
The match saw its share of drama with the Decision Review System (DRS) coming under scrutiny once again. Cummins initially believed he had caught Jamie Smith at slip, but the umpire ruled the ball had touched Smith’s helmet instead. DRS was called into action again as Smith attempted a wild pull shot, leading to his dismissal shortly afterward.
Lyon commented on the challenging conditions, stating, “That was extremely hot out there, it was hard. I’m extremely proud of, especially the quick bowlers, the efforts that they put in.” His sentiments highlighted the commitment of the Australian team, which is now firmly in control of the match.
Behind the stumps, Alex Carey showcased his skills, recording five catches on Thursday and maintaining a strong performance throughout the series, including a century in the first innings. His catch to dismiss Will Jacks was particularly impressive, demonstrating his agility and awareness.
As the day concluded, England’s position appeared precarious. Marcus Trescothick, England’s batting coach, acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We’re behind the game again … we’re disappointed of course.” With Australia leading the series and momentum firmly on their side, England faces a critical challenge to turn the tide as the Test continues in Adelaide.
