Third Ashes Test between Australia And England The fierce rivalry ignited at the Adelaide Oval from December 17 to 21, 2025, with hosts Australia achieving a challenging target of 435 runs after scoring 371 and 349 runs in their innings. England faltered in reply, scoring only 286 runs in their first innings and reaching 131/3 in the third session on the fourth day, still needing 304 runs at a run rate of 3.40 with a minimum of 29.3 overs remaining. travis headAustralia’s brilliant 170 in the second innings has set the stage for a tense finale as England look for a miraculous comeback.
Marnus Labuschagne bowls a blinder to dismiss Ollie Pope.
marnus labuschagne Took a brilliant diving catch at second slip to dismiss him. Ollie Pope at a discount of 17 pat cummins‘ There was celebration among the Australians while bowling on the fourth day as the ball kissed the turf by just a few centimetres. Positioned sharply at second slip, Labuschagne hurled himself down the left side with full force, and broke the thick edge with his right hand.abusive screamR” which stunned the cricketing world and brought Pope’s Test place under renewed scrutiny. The moment came at 31 for 2 in 9.4 overs, ending Pope’s brief 29-ball spell and Cummins taking 3 for 24 to tighten Australia’s grip.
Pope’s collapse followed a pattern of struggles against Australia, averaging a disappointing 17.66, as the catch not only broke a budding stand but changed the momentum amid England’s difficult chase. Earlier on Day 2, Pope fell cheaply to 3 nathan lyonOf spin, chipping to tame josh inglis At midwicket, it contributed to England falling from 37 for 1 to 42 for 3, which was followed by a tough innings of 106 runs. ben stokes (83) and jofra archer (51). Labuschagne’s athleticism echoed his reputation for fast fielding, turning a potential boundary on a batsman-friendly track into a game-changing wicket.
Here is the video:
Marnus are you kidding! Wow!#ash , #PlayoftheDay , @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/vikW0O7B6L
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 20 December 2025
England faltered while chasing the target amid Australian pressure on the fourth day
The target of 435 runs faltered in England’s second innings on the fourth day. jack crawley Has anchored unbeaten more than 50 times harry brook but the loss of ben duckett (4), Pope (17), and Joe Root (39) Exposed vulnerabilities. pat cummins Took 3 wickets for 24 runs in 10 overs including Pope’s dismissal. Scott Boland And Lyon kept a tight grip as England scored just 22 runs for 1 wicket at 2.20 run rate in the last 10 overs. Australia reached 371 runs in its first innings thanks to alex carey106 more Usman KhawajaEarly setbacks like K’s 82, Archer’s 5 for 53 travis head (10) and Labuschagne (19).
Head’s explosive inning of 170 runs in the second over with the help of 16 fours and 2 sixes in 219 balls saved Australia from 149 runs for 4 wickets, a partnership of 162 runs with Carey (72) made 349 runs and defeated England. England more than 200 behind leading batsman Stokes, jamie smithAnd others were to come, but Australia’s fielding edge, highlighted by Labuschagne’s gem, and Cummins’ leadership put the hosts in a position to clinch the vase. A crowd of 41,289 watched the play, with Crawley’s half-century raising faint hopes amid reviews and tactical battles.
Also read: Ashes 2025-26: Fans rejoice with Travis Head’s brilliant century on the third day of Adelaide Test
