Australia has delivered a crushing blow to England’s Ashes aspirations during the third Test in Adelaide. On a scorching day, temperatures soared to 41 degrees at the Adelaide Oval, leading to England’s downfall, with the team managing only 213 runs for eight wickets. They trail Australia by 158 runs as their batting hopes diminish.
Australia’s Bowling Dominance
This defeat wasn’t a result of England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach. Instead, it was a display of sheer dominance by Australia’s bowlers. Only Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith showed signs of aggression, but their efforts were overshadowed by the relentless pressure applied by the home side.
Snicko Controversies and Decision Review System
Compounding England’s struggles was the ongoing controversy surrounding the Decision Review System (DRS). In a significant incident, Jamie Smith experienced a confusing moment with Snicko technology. After being given not out, he was later ruled out based on the same technology that had already led to confusion in a previous game involving Alex Carey.
This sequence of events has raised doubts on both sides regarding the reliability of DRS, but it doesn’t detract from the fact that England has faltered under pressure, risking a quick exit from the series.
England’s Struggling Batting Lineup
After Australia declared at 371 all out, England’s response faltered dramatically. They slumped to 42-3, losing three wickets in just 15 balls. Harry Brook managed to hold the innings together slightly with 45 runs off 63 balls. Captain Ben Stokes fought hard for his 45 runs, requiring 151 balls for his effort.
Stokes did form a small partnership with Jofra Archer, adding 45 runs, but the support could not change the course of the match. Archer remains unbeaten on 30 runs. Despite their efforts, England faced an uphill battle against Australia’s excellent bowling performance.
Key Bowling Figures
Pat Cummins was particularly effective for Australia, claiming three wickets for 54 runs. Both Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon contributed significantly, each taking two wickets.
Looking Ahead
As the weekend approaches, Cummins appears poised to lead Australia to yet another Ashes victory. In contrast, England faces a potential tipping point leading to a significant shake-up within their squad if results do not improve soon.
