England are on the verge of an Ashes series defeat after Australia’s Nathan Lyon broke their resistance late on the fourth day of the third Test in Adelaide.
Off-spinner Lyon removed the reverse-sweeping Harry Brook, bowled Ben Stokes and, most importantly, stumped Zak Crawley to move the home team within reach of the urn.
Crawley compiled an impressive 85, but when he was seduced by a delirious Lyon, England were 194-6 in pursuit of a theoretical target of 435.
Australia will return on Sunday needing four more wickets to take a 3-0 lead after three Tests, retain the Ashes after just 11 days of cricket and win a fourth consecutive home series against England.
Lyon’s intervention – England lost three wickets for 17 runs in six overs – came after the tourists finally showed a willingness to adapt their Bazballing methods.
It was recognition of the situation and the realization that some players, including Crawley, are fighting for their future and reputation.
After Stokes returned to bowl with seven overs from the start of the game, the tourists took Australia’s last six wickets for 38 runs to dismiss the hosts for 349 in their second innings.
Travis Head was eventually out for 170 and Alex Carey 72. Josh Tongue finished with 4-70 and Brydon Carse 3-80.
A four-day finish looked likely when Ben Duckett was out in the first round of England’s chase and Ollie Pope is in great danger of being dropped for the fourth Test after falling for 17.
Then came Crawley’s display of defiance, finished by the Lyon genius.
