Ashes 2025 live score: England’s hopes in tatters as Travis Head notches century to give Australia huge lead

England are once again facing an uphill battle to win the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after an unbeaten 142 from Travis Head helped Australia into a lead of 356 runs on day three.

Captain Ben Stokes and key bowler Jofra Archer produced a partnership of 106 runs to steady the tourists in the morning as England ended the first innings 286 all out, with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland finding the final wickets.

That gave the hosts an 85-run lead going into their second innings, but while Brydon Carse removed Jake Weatherald for one early on for a promising start, the tourists’ bowlers struggled at the Adelaide Oval, with Head quickly racking up a half-century.

And though Josh Tongue later removed Marnus Labuschagne for 13, and Cameron Green went for just seven, Alex Carey came in to steady the hosts alongside Head, notching his own unbeaten half-century to close the day on 271-4 and leave England with likely too much to do on day four.

Follow updates from day three of the third Ashes Test below:

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Ashes pundits criticise England’s tactics to Travis Head as Australia close in on series victory

Third Ashes Test, day three - live updates

• England resume day three of the third Ashes Test on 213-8, trailing Australia by 158 runs | Live on TNT Sports
• Travis Head makes 11th Test century
• WICKET! Green caught off Tongue delivery to give England hope
• WICKET! Khawaja nicks to Smith to fall on 40
• WICKET! Labuschagne edges to Brook to leave Australia 53-2
• WICKET! Carse removes Weatherald early on

Travis Head piles more misery on England as Australia edge closer to Ashes win

10:02 , Lawrence Ostlere

Read the full story from day three:

Travis Head piles more misery on England as Australia edge closer to Ashes win

'Bashir still England's No 1 spinner'

09:44 , Lawrence Ostlere

Part-time spinner Will Jacks conceded 107 runs from 19 overs, taking just one wicket.

The 27-year-old all-rounder had also given up 105 runs in the first innings, and his displays have raised questions over England’s decision to leave Shoaib Bashir out of the side on what was considered a more spin-friendly surface in Adelaide.

“I don’t think he has bowled poorly,” Patel said. “They’ve played him very well. They’ve used the crease, gone deep, charged down the pitch, used both sides of the wicket and looked to score.

“They’ve put him under pressure, which is probably what you would do against Jacks’ spin, where it’s not his frontline skill as such. I still believe Bashir is our number one guy and he does a fantastic job for us.

“But in these conditions, it’s horses for courses. With all four seamers firing and Jacks backing them up, I think that can work very well. It just didn’t play out as well as I would have liked.”

England need 'something magical' to save Ashes

09:18 , Lawrence Ostlere

England will need to produce “something magical” on day four of the third Ashes Test against Australia if they are to have any chance of turning the tide, according to the visitors’ spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel.

“I still believe there’s an opportunity for us. It won’t be easy. We’re going to need something magical,” he told reporters.

“But I think it’s about time we saw something magical from us. It’s three games in, we’ve thrown some punches but taken a lot, and I think it’s about time now that, backed into a corner, we throw some haymakers back.

“I thought some of the plans we chose today, and the way we executed at times, were fantastic, but they didn’t quite go our way. We’ve just got to hold the belief.”

Day three: Australia on the brink of clinching Ashes

08:50 , Lawrence Ostlere

He could not do so, but Carse forced one past Weatherald's defences and picked him up for one, a decision that would have been overturned on DRS.

Josh Tongue removed the out-of-sorts Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green, while Usman Khawaja nicked Jacks behind, but Head continued tucking in.

There were a couple of nerves on 99, culminating in the tough chance he slashed to Brook, but Head soon launched Root over the top before kissing the turf.

The last hour was easy pickings as he and Alex Carey milked a partnership of 122 against a flat attack.

Head, left, and Alex Carey have put Australia in control in Adelaide (Robbie Stephenson/PA) (PA Wire)

Day three: Australia on the brink of clinching Ashes

08:33 , Lawrence Ostlere

England started the day by adding 73 runs for their last two wickets, nudging their total up to 286 all out. Stokes, rendered strokeless by fatigue in the 40 degree heat of day two, was moving better in gentler temperatures on Friday morning and found good tempo with Archer.

The number 10 batted with a better technique than several of his top-order team-mates, mostly in restrained fashion other than one big swing for six off Lyon. Both men passed 50, Archer for the first time in Test cricket, as the tourists for once enjoyed some positivity, but things changed when the second new ball arrived.

Stokes sensed an opportunity to attack, but was bowled by Mitchell Starc between bat and pad with a belligerent century unclaimed.

Archer followed when he nicked Scott Boland to slip, leaving England five overs to land a blow before lunch.

Day three: Australia on the brink of clinching Ashes

08:22 , Lawrence Ostlere

As always, the very presence of Stokes provides some cause for hope, but there must be concerns over his body's ability to cope with the demands he continues to place on it. He batted for five hours and 12 minutes for his dogged 83, which occupied 198 deliveries and included the slowest half-century of his career, and suffered from cramp and dehydration on Thursday evening.

Tellingly, he did not bowl a single over in Australia's second innings despite the desperation to remove Head. Archer was also used sparingly as the scoreboard ran away from England, putting their bowling resources under serious strain.

Will Jacks tried again to fill the shoes of a senior international spinner, but was found wanting on a pitch that his masterful opposite number Nathan Lyon had thoroughly enjoyed. The all-rounder, better known for his batting than bowling, served up 19 overs for 107, with Joe Root chipping in with eight more.

Day three: Australia on the brink of clinching Ashes

08:15 , Lawrence Ostlere

A battling stand of 106 from England's warrior-like captain Ben Stokes and tailender Jofra Archer had kept the first-innings deficit down to 85, giving the slightest hint that a remarkable comeback might be possible.

And when Brydon Carse removed Jake Weatherald lbw with his third ball, those slim chances ticked up another few percentage points. But Head took the game away with another excellent counter-punching knock at his home ground, where he now has four hundreds in his last four appearances.

He was dropped on 99 by Harry Brook in the gully, a hard chance but another installment in an increasingly long list of drops, and ended the day dominant with 13 fours and two sixes.

England are now fighting to avoid the ignominy of losing their biggest series in just 10 days of competitive cricket, an unwanted record that would beat the 11 days Nasser Hussain's 2002-03 team managed against a vintage Australia.

Day three: Australia on the brink of clinching Ashes

08:04 , Lawrence Ostlere

England inched closer to a humbling Ashes defeat as Australia's accidental opener Travis Head scored his second century of the series.

Head struck a match-winning hundred in the first Test at Perth after volunteering his services as an emergency stand-in and another vital ton on day three at the Adelaide Oval put his side in sight of an unassailable 3-0 lead.

By stumps he had 142 not out in a score of 271 for four, leaving England 356 runs behind. Their eventual chase will surely dwarf the unforgettable 362 they made at Headingley in 2019, while their previous high of 332 on Australian soil is a distant memory.

Langer: Australia won't declare

07:37 , Lawrence Ostlere

Steven Finn has just been absolutely hammered by fellow pundits Justin Langer and Graeme Swann for suggesting Australia might declare tomorrow.

“Why?” asks Langer.

Swann adds: “They’ll make England bowl them out. You don’t look at the forecast and go, let’s give England a sniff at winning this game.”

Langer: “Why would they declare? They’re 2-0 up in the Ashes. To be good blokes? No chance.”

Swann: “That’s definitely right!”

Lyon 'loving' his role in Australian team

07:33 , Lawrence Ostlere

Nathan Lyon speaks to TNT Sports: “Very happy with where we are at the moment. I’d like a few more runs. Looking forward to the opportunity to get myself into the game.”

On beating Glenn McGrath’s Test wicket tally: “Everyone knows my history here with the Adelaide Oval, so to overtake one of my childhood heroes is pretty special.”

On keeping on playing: “Loving it, loving my role within the Australian cricket room. The team’s amazing, they are a great bunch of guys.”

'You need to get him reaching'

07:18 , Lawrence Ostlere

Graeme Swann criticises England’s tactics to Head. “He got an easy start. There was a huge gap behind square on the off side, and the ball kept going there. When you’ve got a player like Travis Head who is so good at playing it late off the back foot, you need to get him reaching, you need to encourage the drive.”

Langer says England played into Head's strength

07:14 , Lawrence Ostlere

Here’s Justin Langer, speaking on TNT Sports, on England’s approach to Travis Head. “You do not bowl to his cut shot. It was either [England] not executing the plan, or the plans were poor.”

Australia 271-4

07:03 , Chris Wilson

Just one run off that next over from Tongue, though that matters little right now!

Carey adds a single and Head adds another four to give Australia a lead of 356 going into day four.

Australia 265-4

06:56 , Chris Wilson

Just five off that Tongue over as Carey hunts a late half-century, with the wicketkeeper now on 43 with a few overs left of the day.

He nabs another two off Jacks before firing through mid-wicket for four, and he brings up the 50 with a single into the same area!

Head finds two with a reverse sweep to end the over.

A great display from that Australian partnership, with the duo now extending the hosts’ lead to 350!

Australia 251-4

06:46 , Chris Wilson

Tongue fares no better than his teammates, conceding six runs plus a no-ball, with Stokes unable to stop the boundary.

Jacks returns and is hit for two off the first ball before a dot ball and a slightly unlucky swing-and-a-miss.

However, Head sneaks another single off his feet and drives over extra cover for another four.

He’s now on 136 and Jacks is 1-93.

(AP)

Australia 237-4

06:38 , Chris Wilson

It’s an exhibition for Head at this point, charging down again to drive a four off Jacks and move to 126. He adds two more and Carey gets one to take himself to 33.

Australia’s lead is now 322 and England look like they want today to end soon.

Australia 230-4

06:32 , Chris Wilson

Head finds yet another two off Carse before nudging a four through the gap in the slips.

He only finds one more run in the over but that is more than enough at this point, and Carey adds three for good measure anyway.

England are still going through the motions but heads have really dropped here.

Australia 220-4

06:28 , Chris Wilson

Just one off the Carse over next, though again it does feel a little inconsequential at the moment.

Jacks returns with a few dot balls before Head notches a single. He is up to 115 off 174 now, with the lead at 305.

(Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire)

Australia 218-4

06:20 , Chris Wilson

Carse is back on the attack for the tourists. He bowls another five dot balls but can’t find the maiden, with Head managing a single on the final ball.

Head goes big on Jacks’ first delivery, charging down and hooking it for four, before adding two more to Carey’s single.

The lead is now 303.

Australia 210-4

06:13 , Chris Wilson

Another good over from Carse yields just one run, before Jacks returns and concedes just a single too.

Lower run rates but it’s not enough for England, and all hope of a comeback seems to be fading.

Australia 208-4

06:06 , Chris Wilson

Aside from that century from home favourite Head, Australia’s lead is getting closer to 300 now too. Not good news for the visitors, whose hopes are fading fast.

Carse is up next to try and test the hosts.

HEAD SECURES CENTURY

06:02 , Chris Wilson

Australia 206-4

Root back in, Carey finds one, England bring in the field once more. Same again!

This time though, Head charges down the wicket and fires Root’s delivery back where it came from to make his century!

103 not out for the South Australian.

(Getty Images)

Australia 202-4

06:00 , Chris Wilson

Archer up next to try and deny Carey and Head, but the former finds a single to put Head back on strike with three balls left.

England bring the field in again and Head makes firm contact but Brooks stops it at gully. He actually dropped a catch but that was a very difficult one.

Four more dot balls follow and Head stays at 99 once more.

Australia 201-4

05:55 , Chris Wilson

Two more for Head as he fires down mid-wicket. Four dot balls follow from Root...

And a fifth as the Australian stays on 99!

Australia 199-4

05:49 , Chris Wilson

Just the two runs allowed by Archer in that over, one of which goes to Head, taking him to 97 as the teams break for drinks.

Australia 197-4

05:45 , Chris Wilson

Head pinches three runs off Root in the next over, with Carey lucky not to have clipped one to Stokes.

Stokes actually heads down the tunnel a few moments later, though we’re not sure why.

Those runs leave Head on 96, closing in on that century, though he’s up against Archer next so he might have to wait.

Australia 193-4

05:40 , Chris Wilson

Another Root over passes without testing Head or Carey. Five from the over as the two batsmen look comfortable, with their partnership already up to 44.

Archer follows with a maiden over but it does feel like hope is starting to fade for England.

Australia 188-4

05:32 , Chris Wilson

It’s once again feeling like England don't have many ideas here, with Root hit for five singles in the next over.

Australia’s lead is now 272, with Head having scored 92 today.

Archer comes up once more to try and make something happen – it’s better, with five dot balls before a single on the final delivery.

Australia 182-4

05:25 , Chris Wilson

The tourists have opted for Archer to return to the attack.

Not a great start though, as his first delivery gives Australia four leg-byes.

Only one run conceded off his other deliveries though.

Australia 177-4

05:20 , Chris Wilson

Root to bowl once more, and Head is up to 90 with a single from a good cut shot.

Two more singles follow and the hosts’ lead is now 262.

(Getty Images)

Australia 174-4

05:19 , Chris Wilson

It’s five for Carey off Tongue’s next over, moving him to 13. He’s perhaps a little lucky too, as his drive stays airborne for a little longer than he’d have liked and isn’t too far from being taken by a diving Root.

Australia 169-4

05:13 , Chris Wilson

Three singles in the next over take Australia into a 250-run lead,

Two more singles follow before Head tries to clip a four through point, but Duckett is there to prevent it well right at the boundary. Head settles for two, taking him to 89.

Australia 162-4

05:09 , Chris Wilson

First boundary of the day for Carey as he finds four when firing through deep point. Head is now on 85 as he finds a single.

Ben Stokes is still yet to bowl this afternoon, though nobody seems to know why exactly.

Australia 156-4

05:06 , Chris Wilson

A superb shot from Head to take some of the pressure of Carey, with the opener advancing down the wicket to hammer a six back down where it came from.

WICKET! Green c Brook b Tongue 7

05:01 , Chris Wilson

Australia 149-4

WICKET! England have more hope in Adelaide!Green has fallen for just seven.

Tongue bowls a full delivery and Green edges it to Brook, who makes a good catch at slip.

(Getty Images)

Australia 147-3

04:55 , Chris Wilson

Cameron Green is next in and he settles well with a four off his first ball, firing through the covers for the boundary.

He takes three more and Head adds a single off the final ball.

WICKET! Khawaja c Smith b Jacks 40

04:52 , Chris Wilson

Australia 139-3

WICKET! It could be a big one too.

Khawaja goes to fire away a short and wide delivery but he only manages to nick it to Smith!

(AP)

Australia 139-2

04:50 , Chris Wilson

A couple of singles off the next over and now Head has moved to 75. He’s looking good value for a century, while Khawaja is now up to 40 himself too.

The Australia lead is 224 runs as the 36th over begins, with Jacks delivering again...

Australia 136-2

04:45 , Chris Wilson

Only one off the next over, with Tongue threatening a bit but Head still looking happy out there.

He certainly is happy when facing Jacks, driving back down the wicket to find a four off the first ball of the next over.

To be fair to Jacks, he follows with five dot balls to keep Head thinking in the crease.

Australia 131-2

04:38 , Chris Wilson

Not a great start from Jacks, who concedes 10 runs in the first three balls as Khawaja sweeps behind square for four.

Two singles follow and the Australia lead is now 216.

(Getty Images)

Australia 119-2 at tea

04:34 , Chris Wilson

England are coming back out onto the pitch, closely followed by Head and Khawaja.

We’ll be back underway very soon in Adelaide.

Australia 119-2 at tea

04:30 , Chris Wilson

(REUTERS)

(AP)

(REUTERS)

Australia 119-2 at tea

04:23 , Chris Wilson

So what has happened in that second session?

Well, not a lot. There was only one wicket, with Marnus Labuschagne caught by Brook off a Tongue delivery, but really it’s been the Travis Head show once again, with the opener now sitting on 68 not out.

Usman Khawaja has scored fairly quickly too, and England are struggling to create chances with the ball in hand.

There’s a lot to do for the tourists at the moment if they want a manageable run chase.

Australia 119-2

04:14 , Chris Wilson

Four off Root’s second over of the innings, and Australia are edging towards a 200-run lead.

Carse takes the final over before tea, delivering a high teaser to Head before he replies by firing a short delivery for six to take Australia 204 ahead.

Those are the last runs before tea and England head in with the Ashes once again slipping away from them.

31 overs in and the players are off for tea.

Australia 109-2

04:07 , Chris Wilson

Carse bowls two dot balls before fizzing a high delivery past Head.

Only two runs conceded from Carse there, but England need wickets quickly and they don’t look like getting them at present.

Australia 107-2

04:00 , Chris Wilson

Slightly better from Carse, who concedes a single but follows it with five dot balls.

Joe Root is next to take the ball as England look to change things up and land a potentially pivotal breakthrough.

The 34-year-old concedes three runs from his first over of the day.

Australia 103-2

03:52 , Chris Wilson

An expensive over from Jacks as Khawaja finds three before Head edges behind and over Brook for a four.

Three more singles are conceded and Australia move past 100 on day three.

Australia 93-2

03:48 , Chris Wilson

Jacks concedes three from his over to put Australia into a lead of 173.

Head moves to 50 on the next over, firing it through long-on for another boundary. It’s his 21st Test 50, and it comes from 74 balls.

Still no maiden overs from England in the second session.

(Getty Images)

Australia 85-2

03:40 , Chris Wilson

England make the change as Carse re-joins the attack.

Khawaja managed a few clean shots but the England field is well-placed to limit him the over to two runs.

Australia 81-2

03:35 , Chris Wilson

Head finds a brave four as he hammers it through the covers to find the boundary.

He’s denied another boundary though as his drive back down the wicket crashes against the stumps!

England have lost that bit of momentum at the moment.

Australia 76-2

03:29 , Chris Wilson

Four runs for the hosts off Jacks’ next over, though there were some very good deliveries from the all-rounder.

Head has moved to 40, with Khawaja scoring 12 off 10 balls.

(Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire)

Australia 72-2

03:25 , Chris Wilson

Jacks is’t offering a lot of threat and Khawaja sweeps him out for four early on.

Tongue doesn’t fare much better than his teammate though, conceding four before a no-ball two and two singles.

Could we see Archer or Carse return to bowl soon?

Australia 57-2

03:17 , Chris Wilson

Usman Khawaja comes to the crease and starts fairly well, driving to the point boundary for his first runs of the second innings.

Will Jacks up to bowl next.

WICKET! Labuschagne c Brook b Tongue 13

03:12 , Chris Wilson

Australia 53-2

WICKET! Tongue’S delivery finds the shoulder of Labuschagne's bat and Harry Brook takes it cleanly to remove the second Aussie batsman of the day!

(Getty Images)

Australia 53-1

03:08 , Chris Wilson

More decent deliveries from Tongue – bar a wide – but the tourists aren’t really threatening wickets at the moment.

The field is maybe not placed to put pressure on the batsmen either.

Head is starting to rack up the runs and we know this could get away from England if he stays out there for a while.

He does edge a mid-stump delivery from Jacks, but it lands a foot in front of Brook!

Australia 47-1

03:00 , Chris Wilson

Stokes has responded to that lack of progress from England by introducing Will Jacks to the bowling attack.

It’s tidy stuff from the spinner too, getting plenty of movement and conceding just two runs of his first over.

Australia 45-1

02:55 , Chris Wilson

Four conceded by Tongue across his net three deliveries, before three dot balls to put Australia 130 ahead.

England just aren’t making a lot happen with the ball at the moment.

Australia 41-1

02:52 , Chris Wilson

Two dot balls to begin with before a no-ball three from Carse, and they’re followed by a nice four from Head, who half-volleys through mid-wicket.

Australia 33-1

02:45 , Chris Wilson

Josh Tongue is the next bowler to enter the fray with his first spell of the innings.

He starts with two dot balls before Head finds four, hitting through backward point to the boundary.

A trio of singles follow to end a fairly expensive over.

Australia 26-1

02:40 , Chris Wilson

Just one run allowed by Archer on the next over, with Australia moving into a lead of 110.

And another great over from Carse, conceding just one from his over too – and with some close calls for Labuschagne too.

(Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire)

Australia 24-1

02:30 , Chris Wilson

Carse continues to hit good areas as Head swings wildly at his second delivery of the eighth over.

It’s followed by more good fielding from England, this time by Duckett as he prevents a four and the hosts settle for a single.

And there’s another appeal here after Carse thinks Labuschange has nicked it to Smith, and England review with a second left on the timer...

Not out, he didn’t nick it after all.

Australia 23-1

02:26 , Chris Wilson

A good leave from Labuschagne on the first ball of Archer’s over, before he drives through point for two. Two singles follow.

Australia 18-1

02:19 , Chris Wilson

Head to face Carse first up then! Here we go in the second session of the day.

The opener finds his first run of the afternoon on the second ball, before an appeal as Labuschagne nicks it and Smith thinks he might have caught it...he looked unconvinced and it took a bounce centimetres before landing in his gloves!

Australia 17-1

02:13 , Chris Wilson

England are back out onto the pitch in Adelaide now, going through mini warm-ups and the like while getting a team talk from Stokes.

(REUTERS)

Australia 17-1

02:12 , Chris Wilson

And this was the final wicket of the first England innings...

England trail by 85 at the end of their first innings in Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/jDtM9xgcx5

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) December 19, 2025

Australia 17-1

02:09 , Chris Wilson

Here’s that first wicket of the day for England as Carse removed Weatherald somewhat fortunately...

Jake Weatherald falls to Brydon Carse as England look to restrict Australia in their second innings! pic.twitter.com/MYlOiTccZK

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) December 19, 2025

Australia 17-1

02:02 , Chris Wilson

So, what can the tourists produce with the ball in this next session? We’ll find out fairly soon.

Labuschagne: 'You take it day by day'

01:54 , Chris Wilson

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne spoke to TNT Sports before the start of day three, so here’s what he had to say:

"You take it day by day. We had a good day yesterday, taking eight wickets and keeping the runs down. For us, it is rinse and repeat.

"I think there is certain individuals who play their way. Their top order plays with a high tempo; Duckett, Crawley and Pope. Even Root and Brook score quickly and obviously Stokes locked it down yesterday and played it that way.

"It seems like there has been a shift at different times from their method. For us, it is trying to be adaptable and read how they're trying to play."

On his banter towards England's batters: "Usually Smudge [Steve Smith] is fielding at first slip, and I'm far enough away from the cameras that when I talk dribble that nobody hears, and it is just for the boys.

"All I'm trying to do is create some energy out there. It can be tricky with the crowd there. I try to create a little banter for the boys,” he added.

Third day so far

01:48 , Chris Wilson

Here's the story of the day so far then.

England were in a worrying position to start with but Stokes’ 83 and a half-century for Jofra Archer – his first in Test cricket – brought up a partnership of 106 to steady the tourists.

England finished 286 all out after Archer was the last to fall, with Australia opening with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald.

However, the latter was soon the first Aussie wicket to fall as Carse trapped him lbw, with the hosts deciding not to review despite the ball pitching outside leg!

Australia sit at 17-1 at lunch on day three.

Australia 1-17

01:41 , Chris Wilson

(Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AP)

Australia 1-17

01:35 , Chris Wilson

A single for Head and five dot balls to end the first session of day three.

Australia 17-1 and the hosts lead by 102 as we head into lunch.

Australia 1-16

01:31 , Chris Wilson

Head starts with three before Labuschagne has his first runs of the day as he clips away a four off his feet.

Three dot balls follow and we’ve got one more over to go before lunch.

Australia 1-9

01:26 , Chris Wilson

Carse’s final delivery also gets appeals but it had drifted and was definitely going wide. A good over though, and plenty of early pressure for England!

What can Archer produce to pile the pressure on?

Three dot balls to begin with before some superb fielding from Pope prevents a potential four.

Two more dot balls from Archer to make it a maiden and we come back to Carse.

WICKET! Australia 1-8

01:20 , Chris Wilson

WICKET!

There’s the early wicket they wanted!Jake Weatherald has gone.

Carse strikes in his first over of the day as he delivers over the wicket to the left-hander and he’s trapped in front.

He has a quick chat with Travis Head and decides not to review, but that looks like an error – it pitched outside leg!

(Getty Images)

Australia 8-0

01:16 , Chris Wilson

A no-ball follows from Archer to take Australia to two, before a wayward delivery goes well wide for four.

And then another no-ball. Not a great start for Archer, and he’ll have an eight-ball over to begin with.

Weatherald finds a single to end an expensive over.

Australia 1-0

01:12 , Chris Wilson

Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to begin the hosts’ second innings, with Archer to bowl.

Head starts with a single.

England all out for 286

01:08 , Chris Wilson

Australia preparing to bat for the second time now then, with England players having a chat and warming up.

The Aussie openers will have around 15 or 20 minutes to bat in their first session.

WICKET! England all out for 286

01:00 , Chris Wilson

WICKET! That is that for now then!

Boland’s delivery is edged straight into the hands of Labuschagne at slip and England trail by 85 at the end of the first innings.

(AP)

England 286-9

00:57 , Chris Wilson

A couple of doubles from Tongue get plenty of cheers as the 11th batter looks to settle in Adelaide.

Starc comes back into the attack looking to finish things, but Archer edges a leg bye past Carey for four!

He goes big on the next one, charging down the wicket, though his wild swipe his outside edge and he can’t find a run.

He finds a single off the next ball and Tongue finds two more on the final ball, with England now trailing by 85.

England 275-9

00:47 , Chris Wilson

Stokes out for 83 then as Josh Tongue comes in to bat.

Not a convincing start either, with a big shout for lbw denied by the umpire – it’s reviewed instantly...

It would have been in line but it goes to umpire’s call, so we move on.

Tongue clips away a single for his first run of the day, before ending with a dot ball to leave England trailing by 96.

WICKET! England 274-9

00:42 , Chris Wilson

WICKET! It’s not to be for Stokes, and the reaction tells you everything.

Starc delivers a wobble-seam ball that turns back in and beats Stokes’ attempted drive.

It’s the end of a great innings but Stokes is clearly very irritated with himself.

(Getty Images)

England 273-8

00:37 , Chris Wilson

It’s Cummins to deliver to Archer as he looks for his 50 – and he finds it!

He drives through point to take himself to a half-century off 97 balls.

This is also only the sixth time England have posted a 100+ partnership for the ninth wicket in Ashes history.

(Getty Images)

England 272-8

00:35 , Chris Wilson

Starc to Stokes as we resume.

Two dot balls before the England captain finds a single to put Archer on strike.

A couple of close calls before Archer finds a single off the last ball, and he moves to 49!

England 270-8

00:28 , Chris Wilson

Stokes goes straight on the attack against Cummins, pulling it for four off the Aussie’s first ball.

And it’s followed by a good delivery that Stokes somehow edges past Carey for another four! 80 for the England captain.

He comes across the penultimate delivery and there are brief shouts, but the umpire isn’t interested.

Stokes closes the over with a single, tucking away off his legs to take England to drinks.

England 261-8

00:23 , Chris Wilson

Starc is up next with the first delivery of the new ball, with Stokes firing down square leg for a single.

Not so calm from Archer, with the delivery going clean through the gap between the pace bowler’s bat and leg. Starc looks like he can't believe how that’s not hit the stumps.

He clips the next delivery but gets lucky there’s nobody there for the catch, before Starc sends the next one out of reach.

A defensive shot for the penultimate ball, before a swing and near-miss on the final ball – a testing over for Archer.

England 260-8

00:18 , Chris Wilson

A single early on next over from Stokes and now Archer has to decide what to do with the new ball just around the corner.

Play safe or go for it? He certainly chooses the former option early on, batting away the first two balls before a lovely double as he cuts a shot through

He defends the final ball of the over and there’s a partnership of 92 out there now!

Unsurprisingly, Australia take the new ball immediately .

England 257-8

00:15 , Chris Wilson

Three singles there off Green – one of which was an overthrow, which brought plenty of cheers – before Archer glances it through fine leg for four. He’s within range of the half-century!

England 250-8

00:10 , Chris Wilson

Strong running from Stokes to push for three off Lyon’s first ball.

The captain follows with a single, before Archer tries to cut and thankfully sees the ball narrowly slip past the edge.

England 246-8

00:05 , Chris Wilson

Well bowled from Green here, tempting Archer into the swing and miss. The first near-miss from Archer this morning.

Two singles for the tourists as Stokes goes defensive and leaves the final delivery.

The new ball is available in three overs, with England now trailing by 125 runs.

(REUTERS)

England 244-8

00:02 , Chris Wilson

Just a single off the rest of Green’s over and Lyon moves back onto the attack.

He starts with a dot ball before Stokes plays a beautiful reverse sweep over backward point for four.

Lyon only conceded three boundaries in 22 overs yesterday, but he’s already been hit for two this morning!

England 238-8

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:55 , Chris Wilson

Three singles off the next Lyon over and Stokes moves to 60.

Cameron Green is next to take the ball, with Archer hitting a wayward single behind himself to move to 40. That’s his highest ever Test score, beating the 38 he scored in Brisbane!

England 234-8

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:51 , Chris Wilson

Six off the next over for the tourists, with Starc doing brilliantly to prevent a second four for Stokes.

It’s another shot through covers for a second four for the captain.

England 226-8

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:46 , Chris Wilson

It looked like Lyon was heading for another good over but Archer digs out a huge six over long on on the penultimate ball to add to his single.

England 219-8

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:42 , Chris Wilson

Three dot balls to begin with for Boland, before Stokes brings up the 50 as he knocks to backward point.

That’s the only run of the over and England move to 219.

(REUTERS)

England 218-8

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:38 , Chris Wilson

Lyon up next to deliver something different, with quite a lot of movement as Archer drives away for six dot balls. A solid start from the spinner.

England 218-8

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:36 , Chris Wilson

First boundary of day three and it’s a lovely shot from Stokes as the captain finds four with a drive through extra cover, walking to meet Boland’s delivery. It’s the final runs of the over and the tourists move to 218.

England 213-8

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:33 , Chris Wilson

Simple enough defence for Archer to start with, before he slips a single through on the second ball of the day to put Stokes on strike.

England getting ready to resume

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:30 , Chris Wilson

Here we go then! Archer first to face, Boland with the ball.

England getting ready to resume

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:22 , Luke Baker

We’re not far away from play on day three getting underway now. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer will return to the crease trying to narrow the current deficit of 158 runs.

England are 213-8 with Stokes unbeaten on 45 and Archer 30 not out – having put on 45 together.

Can England somehow limit the gap to sub-100 runs heading into the second Australian innings?

(Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire)

England’s sad batting collapse leaves Ben Stokes ‘broken’ and Ashes dreams in tatters

Thursday 18 December 2025 23:10 , Luke Baker

Here’s a reminder of what happened yesterday - far from England’s finest day on a disheartening tour.

Read Cameron Ponsonby’s full day two report from Adelaide:

England’s sad batting collapse leaves Ben Stokes ‘broken’ and Ashes dreams in tatters

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website