Ashes 2025-26: Urn within sight as Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins lead England's demolition job in Adelaide

A fiery bowling display from skipper Pat Cummins and off-spinner Nathan Lyon has brought the urn within sight of Australia as they are just four wickets away from humbling England in Adelaide.

Day four of the ongoing third Test ended with the tourists six down for just 207 in pursuit of an improbable 435-run target.

The day began on a rare positive note for England as they dismissed Travis Head (170) and Alex Carey (72) in quick succession. Australia's tail couldn't wag much as they added just 78 to their overnight score of 271 and folded for 349.

England's chase began in what has become a recurring theme this series, as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope hardly bothered the scorers, scoring four and 17 respectively. Both of them were dismissed by Cummins as he looked spotless on his return.

Zak Crawley and Joe Root stitched a 78-run partnership for the third wicket to stabilise England's wobbly batting, but Cummins got Root (39) for the 13th time in red-ball cricket to jolt England's hopes of making a comeback.

Harry Brook, who had pledged to avoid "shocking shots" in the lead-up to the game in Adelaide, didn't keep his promise and got castled attempting a reverse against Lyon at an individual score of 30.

Only Crawley looked assured in the middle, but he too faltered after reaching tantalisingly close to a maiden hundred in Australia for a second time in the series. He scored 85 off 151 balls with the help of eight boundaries. Lyon led to his undoing and produced a jaffa to help the hosts see the back of the England captain Ben Stokes. 

Jamie Smith (2*) and Will Jacks (11*) will resume England's run chase with 228 still left to be scored on the final day.