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Ashes Heartbreak in Adelaide: England Collapse to 207/6 in 435 Chase

England's hopes of a miraculous chase in Adelaide are hanging by a thread. They ended Day 4 at 207 for 6, still needing a massive 228 runs to win. The collapse was triggered by Nathan Lyon's spin and Pat Cummins's crucial strikes. Australia now needs just four more wickets to retain the Ashes with a decisive 3-0 series lead.

Key Points: England 207/6 Chasing 435 as Australia Close on Ashes Win

  • England lost 4 wickets for 43 runs in a dramatic post-tea collapse
  • Pat Cummins dismissed Joe Root for the 13th time in Test cricket
  • Nathan Lyon's triple-wicket over dismantled England's middle order
  • Josh Tongue was England's bowling bright spot with four wickets in Australia's innings
3 min read

Ashes: England slide to 207/6 at stumps on Day 4 in massive chase of 435 in Adelaide Test

England need 228 runs with 4 wickets left after a Day 4 collapse. Australia, led by Cummins and Lyon, are on the brink of an unassailable 3-0 Ashes lead.

"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. - Article"

Adelaide, Dec 20

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 here at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

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 here 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.

The Aussie skipper Cummins breathed fire as he continued the team’s celebrations by picking Ollie Pope's wicket. Zak Crawley and Joe Root then provided stability and a ray of hope with a 78-run third-wicket partnership, but Cummins struck for a third time to remove Root, making it the 13th instance of him dismissing the England batter in Tests.

Brook and Crawley too did well with a 68-run stand to stretch through the session as they reached 106/2 at Tea, but what followed next was a disappointing collapse. Nathan Lyon spun a web to dismiss Brook and soon removed skipper Stokes as England’s batting unit came crashing down.

The spinner returned for his third over and picked up his third wicket, this time trapping Jack Crawley as Jamie Smith and Will Jacks remained unbeaten on Day 4, with England at 207/6 at stumps.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Watching from Mumbai! The Ashes is such a classic rivalry. England needed a Root or Stokes special, but the Australian pressure was just too much. 228 runs with 4 wickets left on Day 5? Almost impossible on that pitch. Lyon's spell after tea was the turning point.
A
Ananya R
Honestly, England's 'Bazball' approach seems to have completely backfired in this series. Chasing 435 requires patience and grinding, not reckless hitting. They gifted their wickets away after Tea. As an Indian, I feel our team would have shown more fight in a similar situation. Just my two paise.
V
Vikram M
Pat Cummins is a champion! 3 wickets and leading from the front. Travis Head's 170 in the first innings was the real difference maker though. Sets up the game perfectly. England are down and out. Australia will wrap this up within the first session tomorrow.
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Karthik V
It's disappointing as a neutral fan who loves competitive cricket. A 3-0 whitewash in the Ashes? The series is losing its charm. England's middle order just vanished. Hope Smith and Jacks can at least put up some resistance tomorrow morning, but it's a formality now.
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Priya S
The pitch must be doing a lot on Day 4 and 5. Lyon proved again why he's a legend. England missing a quality spinner like Ashwin or Jadeja in these conditions, honestly! Their batting lacks the temperament for a big chase. Game over. 🇮🇳

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