Australia Crush England’s Resistance on day 2 of 3rd Test , Ashes on the line for tourists

 

A resurgent Australia tore through England’s brittle batting on Thursday, leaving the visitors on the verge of a third straight Test defeat and their Ashes campaign hanging by a thread unless a miracle unfolds.

At stumps on a sweltering day two, England were struggling at 213 for 8, still 158 runs behind after Australia added 45 to their overnight total of 326 for 8, with temperatures soaring to 40°C. Ben Stokes stood firm on an unbeaten 45 after a marathon 151-ball effort, with Jofra Archer providing support on 30, but England remained deep in trouble in a must-win Test on a surface offering ideal batting conditions.

Although England avoided the follow-on, they were again left frustrated by contentious Snicko decisions. Australia, leading the five-match series 2–0, will retain the Ashes with either a win or a draw following emphatic eight-wicket victories in Perth and Brisbane.

England’s openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley negotiated the early threat posed by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, but the calm proved deceptive. In a devastating 15-ball spell, England lost three wickets for just five runs, continuing a familiar pattern of collapses.

Cummins struck first, inducing an edge from Crawley (9) that was safely taken by wicketkeeper Alex Carey in the Australian captain’s first Test since July after recovering from a lower-back issue. In a masterstroke, Cummins then introduced Nathan Lyon, who had been controversially omitted from the pink-ball Test at the Gabba.

Lyon made an immediate impact, claiming two wickets in a remarkable opening over. Ollie Pope (3) flicked tamely to midwicket before Duckett was bowled for 29. Joe Root survived briefly when a Scott Boland edge to Carey was ruled not to have carried, but the reprieve was short-lived. He fell to Cummins soon after lunch, edging once again to Carey — the 12th time Cummins has dismissed him, more than any other bowler.

With England reeling, Stokes dug in, living up to his call for “a bit of dog” in the contest. He showed no hesitation after being struck on the helmet by a fierce Starc bouncer and, after medical checks, resumed his resistance.

Cameron Green broke another partnership just before tea, with Carey claiming his fourth catch to dismiss Harry Brook. Jamie Smith looked settled before departing for 22 in controversial fashion, with Snicko showing a faint spike despite a visible gap between bat and ball. Stokes shook his head in disbelief as Smith walked off.

The technology had already been under scrutiny after Carey’s emotional century on day one at his home ground. Carey survived on 72 following a Snicko error, with replays later suggesting he had edged Josh Tongue. Carey himself admitted he likely hit the ball, and the technology operator later acknowledged the mistake. Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg criticised the system, calling the error “not good enough” and demanding assurances it would not recur.

Boland added to England’s woes by removing Will Jacks (6) and Brydon Carse (0), but Archer showed resolve alongside Stokes to see out the day.

Earlier, Australia resumed on the back of Carey’s 106 and a gritty 82 from Usman Khawaja. Starc counterattacked with five quick boundaries before Archer bowled him for 54. Lyon and Boland then added a defiant 23-run last-wicket stand before Lyon was trapped lbw for nine, giving Archer impressive figures of 5 for 53.

With England’s backs firmly against the wall, Australia now stand on the brink of retaining the Ashes yet again.