The third Ashes Test between Australia and England ignited fierce rivalry at Adelaide Oval from December 17 to 21, 2025, with hosts Australia enforcing a daunting 435-run chase after posting 371 and 349 in their innings. England faltered in response, managing just 286 in their first dig before reaching 131/3 on Day 4 Session 3, still needing 304 runs at a run rate of 3.40 with 29.3 overs minimum remaining. Travis Head‘s masterful 170 powered Australia’s second innings, setting the stage for a tense finale as England eye a miraculous comeback.
Marnus Labuschagne plucks a blinder to dismiss Ollie Pope
Marnus Labuschagne produced a spectacular diving catch at second slip to dismiss Ollie Pope for 17 off Pat Cummins‘ bowling on Day 4, igniting celebrations among Australians as the ball kissed the turf just centimeters away. Positioned sharply at second slip, Labuschagne flung himself low to his left at full stretch, plucking the thick edge with his right hand in an “outrageous screamer” that left the cricket world stunned and Pope’s Test spot under renewed scrutiny. This moment arrived at 31 for 2 in the 9.4 over, capping Pope’s brief 29-ball stay and fuelling Australia’s grip with Cummins claiming 3 for 24.
Pope’s downfall followed a pattern of struggles against Australia, averaging a dismal 17.66 Down Under, as the catch not only broke a budding stand but shifted momentum amid England’s tricky chase. Earlier on Day 2, Pope fell cheaply for 3 to Nathan Lyon‘s spin, chipping tamely to Josh Inglis at midwicket, contributing to England’s collapse from 37 for 1 to 42 for 3 before a gritty 106-run rearguard from Ben Stokes (83) and Jofra Archer (51). Labuschagne’s athleticism echoed his reputation for sharp fielding, turning a potential boundary into a game-changing wicket on a batter-friendly track.
Here’s the video:
MARNUS ARE YOU KIDDING! WOWWWWW!#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/vikW0O7B6L
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 20, 2025
England chase falters amid Aussie pressure on Day 4
England’s second innings chase of 435 teetered on Day 4 with Zak Crawley unbeaten over 50 anchoring alongside Harry Brook but losses of Ben Duckett (4), Pope (17), and Joe Root (39) exposed vulnerabilities. Pat Cummins dominated with 3 for 24 from 10 overs, including the Pope dismissal, while Scott Boland and Lyon maintained tight lines as England’s last 10 overs yielded just 22 for 1 at 2.20 run rate. Australia reached 371 in their first innings thanks to Alex Carey‘s 106 and Usman Khawaja‘s 82, with Archer’s 5 for 53 triggering early blows like Travis Head (10) and Labuschagne (19).
Head’s explosive 170 from 219 balls in the second dig, featuring 16 fours and 2 sixes, rescued Australia from 149 for 4, partnering Carey (72) for 162 runs to post 349 and deflate England. England trail by more than 200 with key batter Stokes, Jamie Smith, and others to come, but Australia’s fielding edge, highlighted by Labuschagne’s gem, and Cummins’ leadership position the hosts to clinch the urn. A crowd of 41,289 witnessed the drama, with Crawley’s half-century offering faint hope amid reviews and tactical battles.
