Lyon's late spell puts Australia on verge of Ashes win
Lyon's late spell puts Australia on verge of Ashes win
Lyon’s late burst in Adelaide raises Australia’s chances as England struggle to chase a daunting target in the fourth day of the third Test.
England looked to be scrambling toward collapse on day four in Adelaide, with Australia’s Nathan Lyon delivering the decisive late blow that put the hosts on the cusp of the Ashes. Crawley stood firm in a defining innings, cracking 78 alongside Root, and then partnering with Brook for 68 as England battled to stay in the fight. Crawley’s 102-ball fifty was the second-slowest of his Test career, underscoring the pressure he faced at the top of the order.
Root was dismissed for 39 by Pat Cummins, a familiar foe for the England captain, and Brook carried bold shots into his 30 from 56 balls, before a rare misstep on a reverse sweep saw him bowled by Lyon for 30. It left England 177-4 at one stage and set the tone for a crucial session after tea as Cummins rallied with a pivotal spell that widened Australia’s grip.
Brook’s dismissal after the reverse-sweep attempt was a setback for England, but Crawley’s resilience kept the chase alive for a time. The door opened for Lyon and Australia to tighten their grip on the match, as Lyon’s turn-and-bounce bowling on a wearing pitch began to break England’s resistance. With Lyon and Cummins combining to apply pressure, England faced an uphill battle to post the 435 they were chasing.
As the fourth day closed, Australia looked poised to seal a victory that would deliver the series to their advantage, while England faced a difficult road ahead on the final day. The stage is set for a dramatic finish in Adelaide, with Australia eyeing a win that would cap a stirring performance in this Ashes series.
