The fate of the Ashes 2025 series is poised on a razor's edge as the third Test in Adelaide moves towards a heart-stopping climax. At lunch on the final day, Australia stands just three wickets away from retaining the coveted urn, while a resilient England needs another 126 runs to pull off a record chase and keep the five-match series alive.
England's Gritty Fightback Against the Odds
Resuming their second innings on a precarious 207 for six, England faced a mammoth victory target of 435. A world record chase seemed a distant dream, but the visitors, led by a determined Will Jacks, displayed remarkable resilience. The morning session was a masterclass in patience and survival, adding 102 crucial runs for the loss of only one wicket.
Will Jacks anchored the innings with immense courage, battling not just the Australian bowlers but also a painful ankle injury. Early in the day, he rolled his ankle in a pitch rut while taking a single. Despite visibly hobbling and struggling with his movement, Jacks dug deep, remaining unbeaten on a gritty 38 from 120 deliveries at the break. He found solid support from Brydon Carse, who was not out on 13, as England reached 309 for seven.
Jamie Smith's Vital Knock Before the Crucial Fall
The session's defining contribution came from Jamie Smith, who played with controlled aggression to keep English hopes burning. He notched up a vital 60 from just 83 balls, forming a game-changing seventh-wicket partnership of 91 runs with Jacks. Smith took the attack to the Australian pace spearheads, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, striking boundaries in four consecutive deliveries at one stage.
However, his dismissal just before lunch provided Australia the opening they desperately sought. Attempting to loft Starc over the infield, Smith found Cummins at wide mid-on. His wicket left England at 285 for seven, but not before he had significantly reduced the target and injected genuine belief into the chase.
Rain, Injury, and Unrelenting Tension in Adelaide
The final morning was anything but straightforward, with multiple disruptions adding to the drama. Rain forced the players off the field when England were 241 for six, breaking the momentum. Play later resumed, and the session was extended by 30 minutes to compensate for the lost time.
Australia suffered a significant setback of their own when veteran spinner Nathan Lyon was ruled out of the remainder of the match. Lyon injured his right hamstring while diving in the outfield, a cruel blow after his three-wicket burst on Day 4 had swung momentum Australia's way. His absence leaves a major void in the Australian attack for the tense final sessions.
With two sessions remaining, the atmosphere at the Adelaide Oval is electric. The Barmy Army is in full voice, willing their team towards an improbable victory, while the Australian players know that just three more wickets will seal the Ashes. England's last Test win on Australian soil dates back to January 2011, a statistic they are fighting valiantly to change. The stage is set for a historic finish to a gripping Test match.
