Summary

  • Australia close day three on 45-1, leading by 282

  • England slump from 150-2 to 236 all out

  • Australia opt not to enforce follow-on

  • Malan (80) & Root (62) play well but their wickets lead to yet another collapse

  • Daily highlights programme on BBC iPlayer from 18:00 GMT

  • Listen to Test Match Special commentary by clicking the play icon

  1. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 10:09 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Broad c Head b Starc 9 (Eng 236 all out)

    The pain comes to an end. Broad swings, connects, but it just loops up to Travis Head for the simplest of catches.

    Will Australia enforce the follow-on?

  2. Postpublished at 10:08 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Ben Stokes was the last wicket to fall, trying to force a bit of aggression from a completely hopeless position.

  3. Eng 236-9published at 84 overs

    James Anderson is smiling but I would guess that he isn't actually having much fun.

    Especially not when he cops one in the groin. But he clips the final ball for four which might ease the pain somewhat.

  4. 6 runs

    Eng 231-9published at 83.1 overs

    Ah! Stuart Broad top edges another bouncer but this time it sails away for six!

    Mitchell Starc does remarkably well to catch it but he tumbles over the boundary rope with it.

  5. Postpublished at 10:04 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    If Australia take this final wicket soon I think they may well enforce the follow-on. Steve Smith is an aggressive captain and they could really make inroads in the England line-up again under the lights.

  6. Eng 225-9published at 83 overs

    Need 49 to avoid to follow-on

    Another brutal Starc over but Stuart Broad is equal to it, digging out one of his trademark yorkers.

    These two just trying to delay the inevitable, it feels.

  7. Postpublished at 09:58 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Geoff Lemon
    Australian journalist at the Adelaide Oval

    The sun is setting on Adelaide Oval, and perhaps on England’s chances in the series, but it hasn’t dimmed the enthusiasm of the travelling supporters. Not that may of them have travelled to be here, but you get the point.

    The flags are still waving and the songs are still being sung. It’s a beautiful mild evening in Adelaide, with a smudged pastel sky coming into being. The hill beneath the old scoreboard is packed, and erupts as the ninth wicket falls.

    England fans at the Adelaide OvalImage source, BBC Sport
  8. Postpublished at 09:58 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    There are three men on the leg-side boundary for Broad. At the moment he's just trying to defend his body and face.

  9. Eng 224-9published at 82 overs

    Need 50 to avoid the follow-on

    No mercy from Richardson as he continues to bombard Broad with the short stuff.

    Broad takes his eye off the ball completely and fends one over the keeper's head for two runs.

  10. Postpublished at 09:53 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    A bit of a delay as Stuart Broad tests out a couple of helmets and goes through a concussion test.

  11. Postpublished at 09:52 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    That bounced a bit from back of a length. A bit of glove took the pace off it.

  12. ouch!

    Eng 221-9published at 09:51 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Stuart Broad is clattered on the helmet by a ferocious Jhye Richardson bouncer. The bowler checks if he's okay, and the physio comes out.

    Broad gestures to his face to suggest it clipped him on the chin.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:49 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Text 81111 (standard message rates apply)

    A lot of England's batters seem to lack the mental grit and patience to be decent Test cricketers. Some have shown glimpses at times, but I think most would agree that 3-4 players in this batting line-up would be replaced in a heartbeat if there were obvious reinforcements waiting in the wings. And this starts at the very top with the openers that regularly struggle to get through the first hour of play.

    Lewis, Essex.

  14. new ball

    Eng 221-9published at 81 overs

    Mitchell Starc takes the new ball. Unsurprisingly he treats Anderson to a couple of short balls that he fends off with disdain.

    Poor Jimmy. He deserves better.

  15. Postpublished at 09:44 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    I'd be more tempted that usual to enforce the follow-on. The conditions will be favourable for the pace bowlers. Also, Nathan Lyon is bowling so well. He can wheel away from one end if needs be.

  16. Eng 221-9published at 80 overs

    The only question now is whether Australia will enforce the follow on. England need to reach 274 to avoid it, which looks rather hopeless at this stage.

    More grim reading for England fans coming up: at the end of day one, Australia were also on 221, but had only lost two wickets.

  17. Postpublished at 09:42 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    James Anderson is England's new batter. I'm sure he's delighted about it.

  18. Postpublished at 09:40 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    Stokes was in a hopeless position.

  19. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 09:40 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Stokes b Green 34 (Eng 220-9)

    Stokes' fun comes to an end.

    An admirable effort from England's star all-rounder. He tries one slog too many and edges it onto his stumps, but he really had no other choice.

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:38 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2021

    Text 81111 (standard message rates apply)

    Discussions around the bowling line up are are a red herring. Without the ability to score 400 in the first innings, no side will consistently win matches in Australia. England have had 4 years to get a batting line up which can do this, Covid is not an excuse for failing to identify players who can perform on flat tracks.

    Steve, Hampshire