England on the brink of unwanted 104-year history in Ashes horror show

Dec 20, 2025 - 10:45

England are all-but certain to lose the 2025 Ashes in record time.

The visitors have forced a fifth day of the third Ashes test at the Adelaide Oval, but they were met with the wrath of Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon late on day four.

Nathan Lyon of Australia is congratulated by his team mates after taking a wicket during day four of the Third Test Match in the 2025/26 Ashes Series between Australia and England — All smiles for Australia as Nathan Lyon’s spell virtually ended England’s hope at getting back into the series

Ben Stokes (C) reacts after being bowled as Australian players Cameron Green (L) and Marnus Labuschagne (R) celebrate on the fourth day of the third Ashes cricket Test match between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide — England are just four wickets away from a series defeat

Lyon first removed Harry Brook after he attempted the reverse-sweep, before he bowled captain Ben Stokes out for just five runs.

He also saw to opening batter Zak Crawley who was stumped after an impressive 85.

When Lyon came into the fold, England lost three wickets for 17 runs in just six overs.

This left England sitting at 194-6, although they climbed their way to 207/6 at stumps, 228 runs short of the 435 target.

Australia need four wickets on Sunday to wrap up the series in just 11 days of cricket.

It would be the fewest amount of days that an Ashes has been decided since 1921 when Australia completed victory in just eight days of play – 104 years ago.

This will also mark the third time since the turn of the century that Australia have won a Test series in 11 days.

With what looks sure to be an unassailable victory for the hosts, this loss will further extend England’s winless run Down Under to 18 Tests, and their fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.

“It’s disappointing,” Crawley said. “We came here to win the Ashes and we’re staring down the barrel now.

“There will still be plenty to play for and we’ll definitely view it like that.

Zak Crawley (R) and Harry Brook of England run during day four of the Third Test Match in the 2025-26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval — England’s batting has come under fire this series

Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates taking the wicket of Ben Duckett of England for 4 runs during day four of the Third Test Match in the 2025-26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval on December 20, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. — Ben Duckett’s form as an opener is alarming

“It’s been tough. They’re a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it and they’ve proven why.”

Aussie opener shines, England’s in disarray

The damage was heavily inflicted in the second innings by Aussie opener Travis Head who posted 170 runs, whilst Alex Carey – who was at the center of much controversy in the first innings of the third test – added 72 to bring his match total to 178.

Whilst Head has averaged 63.16 runs throughout the series, and is the leading run scorer with 379, England’s opening batting attack has left very little to be desired.

The opening partnership of Crawley and Ben Duckett has been disastrous, with the Nottinghamshire left-hander’s drop in form a particular cause for concern.

The 31-year-old has a highest score of 29 in the series, and has averaged just 16.16 per innings, though fell to Australia captain Pat Cummins in the very first over of England’s chase, out for just four runs off of two balls.

He, along with Ollie Pope, who has come in at number three this series, are now both under a huge amount of pressure for the fourth Test on Boxing Day in Melbourne.

Ollie Pope of England leaves the field after being dismissed by Australia captain Pat Cummins during day four of the Third Test Match in the 2025-26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval — Ollie Pope’s poor run of form down under has continued with his place in the side now under severe threat

This comes as the Surrey man also fell victim to Cummins’ bowling, falling for a mere 17, which further extended his poor form against Australia.

Having been involved in 16 Ashes innings, the 27-year-old averages just 17.62, and has yet to make a half-century.

Since 1900, only Dennis Amiss has played as many Ashes knocks in the top six of the batting order and produced a lower average than Pope.

Amid wicketkeeper Jamie Smith’s poor run of form too, there is a possibility that Pope could take over keeping responsibilities in the hope that it can somehow spark some confidence into his batting.

The numbers back it up – in six Tests in which he has kept wicket, Pope’s averages with the bat climb to 45.60, which is the best average for an English keeper in 132 years.

With the series all but over, Brendon McCullum and Stokes may look to tinker with the lineup as their focus will turn to ensuring they avoid a whitewash series defeat.

But gone is the excitement of Joe Root finally making a century down under – England look crestfallen, and ‘Bazball’ will no doubt be questioned once again when the series – and England’s misery – finally comes to an end.