WATCH: Nathan Lyon shakes Ben Stokes’ off stump with a beauty on day four of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide

The third Ash test between Australia And England ignited the Adelaide Oval from December 17-21, 2025, with hosts Australia imposing a fearsome 435-run haul after posting 371 and 349 in their innings. England responded with 286 in their first recovery, led by 85, before collapsing to 194/6 on the fourth day, needing 241 more on a worn pitch. Travis head‘s masterful 170 in the second innings propelled Australia, leaving England captain Ben Stokes‘side on the brink in this crucial series clash.​

Nathan Lyon’s fishing breaks Ben Stokes on day four

Nathan Lyon delivered a decisive moment on day four, dismissing Stokes with a ripper in 51.6 overs to leave England reeling at 189 for 5. Around the wicket, Lyon drifted the off-break towards center stump before recovering viciously, spinning in front of Stokes’ fumbling bat to clip the top. Stokes departed for a 5 from 18 balls (1×4, SR 27.77), his frustration evident as Australia whiffed of victory. The veteran spinner’s figures read 13-1-57-2, his third strike underlining the favorable conditions for Adelaide’s spin. Earlier, Lyon deleted Zak Crawley (85 years old, perplexed) and Harry Brook (30, played), taking advantage of the turn to dismantle England’s middle order. This “special delivery” echoed Lyon’s mastery of Adelaide, where he historically tormented England.​

Here is the video:

Nathan Layon’s ball to Ben Stokes. Absolute fishing 🍑 #Cendres2025 pic.twitter.com/QhUe1fkkXN

– Kashif (@KashifNdmCric) December 20, 2025

ALSO WATCH: Marnus Labuschagne catches a screamer to remove Ollie Pope on Day 4 of the third Ashes Test 2025-26 in Adelaide

Australia cruise to Ashes series triumph over England

Australia moved closer to a decisive victory in the 2025-26 Ashes as England slipped further into trouble under the lights, reaching 194/6 after 53.5 overs in their chase. Still needing 241 runs with just a minimum of 14.1 overs remaining, England found themselves suffocated under relentless pressure, reflected in a modest scoring rate of 3.60. Patrick Cummins led from the front with a superb spell of 3 for 24 in 10 overs, tearing apart the top order by removing Ben Duckett for 4, Ollie Pope for 17 and the prized wicket of Joe Racine for 39. The final over before stumps summed up the plight of England, who managed just 43 runs while losing three wickets in the last 10 overs.

The match largely followed the Australian storyline from the start. On the first day, the hosts piled up 326 for 8, built around a running century of Alex Carey (106) and an 82 composed of Usman Khawaja. England responded on the second day with 213 for 8 at stumps, with Ben Stokes‘gritty 83 and Jofra Archer‘s 51 offering resistance. Australia then tightened their grip on the third day, reaching 271 for 4 following a dominant innings from Head. Head then turned it into an imposing 170, hitting 16 fours and two sixes, while Carey added 72 as Australia were bowled out for 349. Although Archer’s five-wicket haul in the first innings briefly raised England’s hopes, Cummins’ incisive captaincy and bowling left Australia just four wickets away from sealing the urn.

ALSO READ: Fans react as Australia take lead on day three of Adelaide Test against England after blistering hits from Travis Head and Alex Carey