- Sport
- Cricket
Alex Carey’s century on his home ground countered Jofra Archer’s excellent bowling to leave the third Test in the balance after day one in Adelaide
Michael Jones Thursday 18 December 2025 01:28 GMT- Bookmark
- CommentsGo to comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks
Close popover
(Getty Images)Australia were dismissed for 371 runs in their first innings of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide. The hosts resumed day two on 326-8 and took advantage of some early wayward bowling to add 45 runs before being cleaned up by Jofra Archer.
Archer first bowled Mitchell Starc (54) before pinning Nathan Lyon in front of the stumps to claim a five-wicket haul and ensure England were not in the field for too long in rising hot temperatures. Today’s play is expected to be the hottest day of the series so far, with temperatures forecast to reach 37C during the afternoon. It could be a make-or-break innings for Ben Stokes’ side as they bid to ressurect their series hopes after losing the opening two games.
Alex Carey’s century on day one was the headline act but later became mired in controversy, however, after the decision review technology failed to show he had nicked a Josh Tongue delivery. Carey later admitted he felt a “feather” on the bat and the New Zealand-based company behind Snicko, BBG Sports, apologised for the error.
England must now bat for a long time and outscore the Australians on a flat and tepid surface if they have any hopes of keeping the series alive.
Follow the latest score and updates on day two of the third Ashes Test below.
Recommended
Snicko chief takes blame for ‘error’ that led to Alex Carey’s DRS reprieve in third Ashes Test
How cricket is helping Australia move past its dark day
Usman Khawaja defies cricketing obituaries to seize unexpected chance in third Ashes Test
Third Ashes Test, day two
- Day Two of the third Ashes Test continues live on TNT Sports
- Australia dismissed for 371 as Archer mops up tail after Starc fifty
- Lyon dismisses Pope and Duckett in same over to leave England reeling
- Crawley falls for nine as England lose first wicket in replay to Australia's innings
- Alex Carey's day one hundred sparked controversy after Snicko technology malfunction costs England
England 53-3
Root moves into doubles figures with a fine stroke off Boland for four and remains watchful against the moving ball.
He’s struck on the back pad but the ball that moves in to the right handerand there’s a half-hearted appeal as he got another inside edge.
Root gets through the over and there’s time yet for one more before the lunch break.
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:28England 48-3
England lost those three wickets for just five runs and are now under mountains of pressure.
Lyon and Boland are getting the ball to talk and Cummins has brought the field up to catch.
Harry Brook gets off the mark with a one and Root decides to switch it with a reverse sweeps off Lyon for four!
He then takes one and will have the strike for the next over which might be the last before lunch.
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:24England 42-3
Boland flings down another maiden. He’s bowled 12 dot balls in a row and is getting the ball to talk.
England are in dire trouble here and need to weather this storm without losing any more wickets.
Root and Harry Brook need to put on a huge partnership.
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:20Not out! England 42-3
Joe Root survives.
He definitely hit the ball onto his own pads and it went through to the wicketkeeper.
However, the ball seemingly bounced just before reaching Carey and England are still in with a chance.
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:18England 42-3
Review!
Scott Boland gets the ball to nip back at Joe Root and it beats the bat. The Australians all erupt in an appeal and as Alex Carey clings onto the catch.
They are initially turned down by the umpire and decide to review it...
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:16Wicket! Duckett b Lyon 29 (AUS 42-3)
Beauty!
I said earlier that there’ll be some cracking deliveries bowled by the Aussies and this is one of them.
Lyon drifts the ball into Duckett, it pitches and spins away before clipping the top of off stump.
A ripper, England are three down.
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:12England 42-2
Nathan Lyon immediately backs up his inclusion in the team with that wicket of Pope.
It brings Joe Root to the crease with plenty of pressure on England’s best batter.
Root gets off the mark with a single.
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:11Wicket! Pope ct Inglis b Lyon 3 (41-2)
Shocking.
Ollie Pope looks to whip Lyon through the legside and just manages to chip the ball to Josh Inglis who clings on to a low catch.
Australia threw a lot of their wickets away in the first innings and Pope has just done the same.
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:09England 40-1
Here comes Nathan Lyon.
He’s taken more wickets at the Adelaide Oval than any other Australian with 63.
The ball spun yesterday and it should do more as the match goes on.
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:07England 40-1
Scott Boland is into the attack now.
He gets the ball to angle into Pope who misreads it and takes a blow to the body.
Pope is watchful outside the off stump and lets a few deliveries go by.
A maiden for Boland’s first over.
Mike Jones18 December 2025 01:05Newer1 / 5OlderMore about
AshesAlex CareyJofra ArcherEngland cricketAustralia CricketJoin our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments