Adelaide, 20 December (H.S.): Australia moved a step closer to sealing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes series after dominating the fourth day of the third Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Led by captain Pat Cummins and off-spinner Nathan Lyon, Australia restricted England to 207 for 6 at stumps while chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

Heading into the final day, England need 228 more runs to win, whereas Australia require only four wickets to clinch victory and the series.

Resuming on 271 for 4, Australia added 78 runs before being bowled out for 349 in their second innings. This set England an improbable target of 435. In the morning session, Travis Head and Alex Carey accelerated to push Australia’s lead beyond 400.

Head played a magnificent knock of 170 runs before falling to Josh Tongue, while Carey was caught at leg slip off Ben Stokes. Among the English bowlers, Tongue was the most effective, finishing with four wickets.

England’s chase began poorly as Pat Cummins struck in his second over, removing Ben Duckett with a brilliant catch by Marnus Labuschagne. At lunch, England were 5 for 1, facing a monumental challenge on a wearing pitch.Cummins continued to lead from the front by dismissing Ollie Pope, tightening Australia’s grip on the match.

A brief period of resistance came through Zak Crawley and Joe Root, who stitched together a 78-run partnership for the third wicket. However, Cummins once again broke the stand by removing Root—marking the 13th time in Test cricket that the Australian captain has dismissed the England batter. England went into tea at 106 for 2.

Post-tea, Crawley and Harry Brook attempted to rebuild with a 68-run stand, but Nathan Lyon turned the match decisively in Australia’s favor. The seasoned spinner first removed Brook, then trapped Ben Stokes shortly afterward, and in his next over, got Crawley caught to claim his third wicket of the innings.

By the close of play, England had limped to 207 for 6, with Jamie Smith and Will Jacks unbeaten at the crease. Australia now stand just four wickets away from victory and a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Ashes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar