England Face World-Record Chase as Australia Eye Victory

England’s struggles in the ongoing Ashes series have been well documented, yet amid the adversity at Adelaide, there has been at least a faint suggestion of progress. Compared with the first two Tests, the tourists have shown greater resilience in the third encounter, managing for the first time in the series to extend a match into a fifth day. While the odds remain heavily stacked against them, England depart the fourth evening with pride partially restored, if not their prospects of victory.

At the close of day four at the Adelaide Oval, England reached 207 for 6 in their second innings. Victory, however, demands a further 228 runs on the final day with only four wickets in hand. The reality is stark: such a pursuit would require not merely skill and resolve, but a feat bordering on the unprecedented. A successful chase of this magnitude would constitute a world record in the context of Test cricket’s fourth innings at this venue.

Nonetheless, when set against the backdrop of crushing defeats earlier in the series, England may draw some consolation. The opening Test ended inside two days, while the second was wrapped up in four. This time, the contest has endured to the final day—modest progress, perhaps, but progress nonetheless. For Australia, the equation is simple: victory here would secure the Ashes outright with two Tests still to play, reaffirming their dominance of the series.

Australia resumed the fourth morning on 271 for 4 in their second innings, with Travis Head and Alex Carey resuming an imposing partnership. The pair added a further 40 runs before Head departed after a commanding innings of 170, studded with 16 fours and two sixes. Carey played a vital supporting role, compiling 72 with six boundaries. England found some late relief as the lower order collapsed, Australia losing their final six wickets for just 38 runs to be bowled out for 349. Josh Tongue led the bowling effort with four wickets, while Brydon Carse claimed three.

Set a daunting target of 435, England’s reply began poorly. Ben Duckett fell in the second over, soon followed by Ollie Pope, dismissed by Australia captain Pat Cummins. A stabilising third-wicket stand of 78 between Zak Crawley and Joe Root briefly revived hopes, but Cummins returned to break the partnership, Root edging behind for 39.

Crawley continued to resist, adding 68 with Harry Brook and bringing up a well-crafted fifty from 102 balls. Just as a century beckoned, Nathan Lyon seized control. After conceding 49 runs in his first ten overs, the veteran off-spinner delivered a decisive spell, taking three wickets for just eight runs in five overs. Brook was bowled attempting a reverse sweep, Ben Stokes lost his off stump to a classic Lyon delivery, and Crawley was later stumped smartly by Carey for 85 from 151 balls.

Jamie Smith and Will Jacks negotiated the closing 9.3 overs without further loss, ensuring England would at least reach the final day intact. Yet the task ahead remains monumental. England must now summon something truly extraordinary, while Australia stand just four wickets away from sealing both the match and the Ashes.

Match Snapshot (End of Day Four)