Lyon surpasses McGrath as Australia leave England struggling in Adelaide test

Australia’s bowlers turned up the heat literally and figuratively on a punishing second day of the third Ashes Test, with Nathan Lyon moving past Glenn McGrath on the all-time wickets list and the hosts leaving England reeling at 213 for eight at stumps, still 158 runs behind.

Resuming on 326 for eight, Australia added valuable lower-order runs to post 371, thanks mainly to Mitchell Starc’s gritty half-century. England pacer Jofra Archer wrapped up the innings with impressive figures of 5 for 53, his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. But the gains were quickly undone as Australia’s relentless bowling attack ripped through England’s top order and kept firm control of the match.

England began its reply confidently at 37 without loss before returning captain Pat Cummins made the breakthrough, dismissing opener Zak Crawley for 9. What followed was a dramatic collapse. Nathan Lyon, introduced in the 10th over, struck twice in four balls as England lost three wickets in the space of 15 deliveries and slipped to 42 for three.

Lyon’s wickets of Ollie Pope (3) and Ben Duckett (29) took him to 564 career Test scalps, pushing him past retired great McGrath into second place on Australia’s all-time bowling list. Only Shane Warne, with 708 wickets, now sits above the 38-year-old offspinner.

It marked a remarkable comeback for Lyon, who bowled just two overs in the first Test at Perth and was left out entirely for the second Test in Brisbane. On Thursday, he bowled 22 overs for figures of 2 for 51, while Cummins finished with 3 for 54 and Scott Boland chipped in with 2 for 31.

Australia’s bowlers toiled for long hours in extreme heat, with temperatures touching 40 degrees Celsius, but the pressure was firmly on England captain Ben Stokes. Stokes endured a brutal time at the crease, spending nearly four hours batting under constant threat. He was struck on the helmet by a sharp Starc bouncer and later took a painful blow to the thigh, appearing to struggle with cramps.

Despite the discomfort and several contentious Decision Review System (DRS) calls, Stokes produced a determined unbeaten 45 from 151 balls. His unbroken 45-run stand with No. 10 Archer (30 not out) ensured England survived the day and carried its innings into the third morning.

Australia’s dominance could have been even greater but for a handful of dramatic moments. Cameron Green broke a promising 56-run stand by removing Harry Brook for 45, while DRS decisions frustrated both teams. England were unhappy when Jamie Smith survived a glove appeal, while Australia later benefitted from a marginal edge decision that sent Smith back to the pavilion.

England needed a dramatic turnaround to stay alive in the five-Test series, with Australia already leading 2-0. On a pitch that traditionally favours batting at Adelaide Oval, the visitors must now bat long and bat deep. Australia, however, remained firmly in control buoyed by history, momentum and a bowling attack firing on all fronts.

Brief Scoreboard

Australia 1st Innings:

371

Jofra Archer 5/53

England 1st Innings (at stumps, Day 2):

213/8

Ben Stokes 45* (151 balls), Harry Brook 45

Pat Cummins 3/54, Nathan Lyon 2/51, Scott Boland 2/31

England trail by:

158 runs