England's hopes of retaining the Ashes urn in Australia have been left hanging by a thread after another dramatic batting collapse on day two of the crucial third Test in Adelaide.
Adelaide Batting Woes Deepen Ashes Crisis
Facing a manageable Australian first-innings total of 371, England's top order crumbled once more, slumping to 213 for eight by stumps on Thursday, 18 December 2025. The capitulation unfolded in brutal heat exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, on a pitch that offered little assistance to the bowlers.
The damage was done early, with the top three batsmen back in the pavilion inside the first 10 overs. Australian captain Pat Cummins, alongside Scott Boland and spinner Nathan Lyon, shared the spoils, exploiting poor shot selection and fragile confidence.
By the close of play, the series batting averages of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, and Will Jacks all languished below 30, highlighting a collective failure that has defined the tour.
Stokes' Solitary and Suffering Stand
Amid the ruins, only captain Ben Stokes provided meaningful resistance. In a remarkable departure from England's aggressive 'Bazball' template, Stokes ground out an unbeaten 45 from 151 deliveries, hitting just three boundaries in a display of defensive grit reminiscent of a bygone era.
His vigil came at a severe physical cost. Stokes battled severe cramping and dehydration, limping between the wickets in the stifling conditions. Team management confirmed he struggled to take on fluids due to feeling ill from the heat, yet he soldiered on.
Trescothick Defends Team Amid Growing Deficit
Despite the stark contrast between Stokes' resolve and the top-order frailty, assistant coach Marcus Trescothick rejected the notion that the team had let their captain down. "I’m not sure ‘letting him down’ is the right terminology to be honest," Trescothick stated.
He emphasised that every player was trying 100%, attributing the struggle to a lack of success rather than effort. "Success comes and goes, it’s not guaranteed," he added. On Stokes' unique approach, Trescothick said the captain had chosen his method and the team trusted all players to read the situation.
When asked if other batsmen had judged conditions correctly, Trescothick offered a defiant, "Pretty much, yeah," a stance at odds with the scorecard that leaves England staring at a likely 3-0 series deficit with two Tests to play.
