Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon led the bowling effort on Day 4 as Australia moved within touching distance of an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes, reducing England to 207/6 in the chase of 435 at the Adelaide Oval on December 20. On the final day, the visitors need 228 runs to win, while the hosts require just four wickets to clinch the series with an unassailable 3-0 lead. Australia added 78 runs to their overnight score of 271/4 on Day 4 of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval as the English bowlers managed to hold them to 349 in their second innings, setting themselves a 435-run target.
Australia were once again firmly in control, establishing a massive 434-run lead that put them close to securing the Ashes. During a brisk morning session, Travis Head and Alex Carey contributed significantly to the scoreboard, pushing Australia’s lead beyond 400 runs swiftly. Head’s excellent innings ended at 170, dismissed by Josh Tongue, while Carey was caught at leg slip off Ben Stokes. For England, Tongue stood out as the most effective bowler, claiming four wickets and offering some resistance with the ball.
Cummins was quick to provide his side with an early breakthrough in the final innings as Ben Duckett found his way back to the pavilion at the stroke of Lunch, in just the second over, courtesy of a sharp catch by Marnus Labuschagne as Australia held a commanding position by reducing England to 5/1 at Lunch.
Chasing 435 in the fourth innings was always a daunting challenge, and with the Australian bowlers performing at peak intensity, it appeared an insurmountable task for England.