Australia captain and fast-bowling spearhead Pat Cummins once again got the better of England’s batting mainstay Joe Root on day two of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, extending the rivalry that has defined several recent matches between the two sides. Cummins, one of the leading fast bowlers of his generation, dismissed Root, England’s leading Test run-scorer, for a record twelfth time in Test cricket, avoiding India’s Jasprit Bumrah.
England’s reply to Australia’s first innings total of 371 got off to a shaky start as the hosts’ bowlers struck immediately. Zak Crawley fell early for 9 while Ben Duckett’s promising stay ended for 29 as Australia tightened up in the opening session.
AUS vs ENG, Ashes 3rd Test in Adelaide: Update
Watch the video:
With early wickets down, England once again turned to Root to anchor the innings. However, his stay was short. Cummins produced a disciplined spell and brought Root into error, dismissing him for 19 off 31 deliveries just after lunch on Day 2. The wicket had added significance as it marked the 12th occasion Cummins had removed Root in Tests, surpassing Bumrah’s tally of 11 dismissals by the English batter.
Australia gave England a tough challenge after posting 371 in the first innings, using early movement and disciplined bowling to strike quickly. England lost momentum in the opening session and Root’s dismissal left them chasing the match early on the second day.
Australia kept up the pressure even after Root’s departure. Nathan Lyon struck twice in the same over to remove Ollie Pope for 3, compounding England’s problems. Harry Brook offered resistance and looked comfortable during the innings, but Cameron Green eventually broke through and dismissed him for 45. By the 36th over, England had slumped to 126 for five, firmly on the back foot.
Cummins’ influence was all the more remarkable that he returned for the Adelaide Test. The Australian captain missed the first two matches of the 2025-26 Ashes due to a bone injury, with Steve Smith captaining the side in his absence. Returning to lead the attack, Cummins stepped up at a crucial moment and strengthened his influence on the series.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
December 18, 2025
