England endured a cruel late twist on day four in Adelaide as Nathan Lyon spun Australia firmly back into control, leaving the tourists staring down a record-breaking chase to keep their Ashes hopes alive.
For much of the day, Ben Stokes’ side had reason to believe. After bowling with real intent to wrap up Australia’s second innings, England batted with renewed purpose through the middle session, only for the final hour to unravel spectacularly. Lyon was the architect of the collapse, claiming 3 for 64 as England lost three wickets for just 17 runs in six overs.
Harry Brook was first to fall in the late slide, bowled for 30 while attempting an audacious reverse sweep. Moments later, Stokes was undone for five by a Lyon delivery of real quality that pitched on middle and leg before straightening to clip the top of off stump, extinguishing any faint hopes of a miraculous captain’s rescue act. Zak Crawley, who had looked increasingly assured, was then lured out of his crease and smartly stumped by Alex Carey for a well-made 85.
Earlier, England had made a strong fist of the day. Australia resumed on 271 for 4 with a lead of 356, but plans to bat England into submission were disrupted by a spirited bowling display. Travis Head extended his innings to 170 after his superb century on day three, pushing Australia past 300 before holing out to deep square leg off Josh Tongue, who finished with an impressive 4 for 70.
Stokes, having not bowled at all the previous day, eased fitness concerns by launching into a sharp seven-over spell in the morning. He was rewarded with the wicket of Carey, caught at leg slip for 72. From there, Australia’s tail folded quickly. Josh Inglis fell to Tongue, while Brydon Carse removed Pat Cummins and Lyon in successive deliveries to briefly sit on a hat-trick. Jofra Archer wrapped things up with a neat caught-and-bowled to dismiss Scott Boland, Australia losing their final six wickets for just 38 runs.
England were still left needing 435 to win, the highest successful chase in Test history. Any early optimism was dented almost immediately when Ben Duckett’s torrid series continued with a loose edge to slip in just the second over. Ollie Pope followed for 17 shortly after lunch, undone by a stunning, low diving catch from Marnus Labuschagne that may yet prove pivotal for his Test future.
Crawley and Joe Root then briefly turned the mood. Their fluent 78-run stand for the third wicket carried England to tea with genuine belief flickering once more. That hope was punctured straight after the interval when Root edged Pat Cummins for 39, opening the door for Lyon’s decisive late burst.
Crawley brought up his 21st Test fifty and, alongside Brook, threatened again, but England’s familiar fragility resurfaced under pressure. Brook’s dismissal triggered the collapse, with Stokes and Crawley soon following as Australia tightened the noose.
Jamie Smith and Will Jacks survived the closing stages to ensure England would bat again on day five, but at stumps the equation remained daunting. With 228 runs still required and only four wickets in hand, England’s Ashes campaign is hanging by a thread as Australia close in on sealing the series in Adelaide.
