Summary

  • Australia close on 326-8 after winning toss on day one of third Test in Adelaide

  • Australia's Smith ruled out with illness after arriving at ground - Khawaja replaces him

  • Carey makes superb century off 135 balls before top-edging Jacks to Smith to fall for 106

  • Tongue and Carse remove Inglis and Cummins in evening session

  • Khawaja makes 82 after being dropped on five by Brook

  • Archer removes Labuschagne and Green in first three balls after lunch

  • England trail 2-0 in five-Test series and must win to keep Ashes alive

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport commentary at top of page

Send us your views

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 01:48 GMT 17 December 2025

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    Hopefully, England's batsmen will take the lessons from this session. There will be balls to attack and if they play sensibly with aggression they will score well. I’m sure they will see that.

    John, Cumbria

    England not ruthless enough. The bowling is fodder and catches win matches.

    Antony

  2. Postpublished at 01:44 GMT 17 December 2025

    Thanks Sam.

    Rather nicely balanced out in South Australia.

    There's kids swarming around the outfield at Adelaide, wafting bats and racing between plastic wickets haphazardly.

    No doubt one of them will be causing me extreme distress by bowling England out for not very much in 2045.

  3. Postpublished at 01:37 GMT 17 December 2025

    An intriguing first session in Adelaide but the drama started before a ball was even bowled with the news that Steve Smith would not play in this Test.

    His replacement, Usman Khawaja has batted nicely, though, coming in after England removed both Australia openers in quick succession.

    It remains fairly evenly poised as I head off to make my first pot of coffee of the night and leave you in the capable hands of Mike Peter.

  4. Postpublished at 01:34 GMT 17 December 2025

    Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    England needed early wickets. They really had to capitalise from there - that dropped catch you wonder how expensive that's going to be. Australia have bounced back. That first half hour after lunch is going to be massively important for England.

  5. Lunch - Aus 94-2published at 24 overs

    Khawaja 41, Labuschagne 19

    I'm not sure dropping someone who averages 55 in Tests is the answer to England's problems, Jack.

    They will be getting a little concerned by this partnership, though, as Usman Khawaja sweeps powerfully in front of square for four.

    Will Jacks does then find the edge with a slightly wider delivery but the ball drops just short of slip.

    That's lunch. Australia going OK after losing both openers, not bad from England either after being asked to bowl first. Another couple of quick wickets after lunch and Ben Stokes' side would be right on top.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 01:29 GMT 17 December 2025

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    That's now 30 runs already that Harry Brook's cost his team. Wonder if he'll finally make it up to them with the bat? Seems undroppable though!

    Jack, Cornwall

  7. Postpublished at 01:26 GMT 17 December 2025

    Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Usman KhawajaImage source, EPA

    Looking at Australia's batting since the second innings in Perth. They have been more positive.

    It is a good crowd at Adelaide Oval. They have seen some good cricket in some pleasant conditions.

    You cannot afford to drop short here. Usman Khawaja, since he has been dropped it is like a switch flicked in his mind and off he has gone.

  8. Aus 87-2published at 23 overs

    Khawaja 36, Labuschagne 17

    Steady on, Chris. Think it is much more a case of England have a quick look to see if there is anything there for the spinner yet on a ground that tends to turn a bit as the game progresses.

    This has been a good partnership for Australia, though, and a single for Marnus Labuschagne brings up the fifty stand.

    Usman Khawaja then pulls a short ball away for four. Anything short is going to get punished on this pitch.

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 01:24 GMT 17 December 2025

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    With Jacks coming in, it’s clear that Australia have broken England's bowling already. Cricket has become such a disheartening sport for us...

    Chris, Wrexham

  10. How's stat?!published at 01:23 GMT 17 December 2025

    Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    It's looking like Brook's drop of Usman Khawaja might be costly, but he's been solid for England. In the Bazball era, he's been their most reliable outfielder, taking 87% of chances.

  11. Aus 82-2published at 22 overs

    All a bit too full from Will Jacks early in the over and Marnus Labuschagne is able to hit a low full toss to the left of mid-off.

    Joe Root is able to flick that back before the rope to save a run but there is no stopping the Usman Khawaja sweep shot that comes a couple of balls later.

    It runs away for four as Australia take 10 from the off-spinner's first over.

  12. Postpublished at 01:18 GMT 17 December 2025

    Interesting. We're going to get a bit of Will Jacks before lunch.

    Will there be anything for the spinner at this early stage of the Test?

  13. How's stat?!published at 01:18 GMT 17 December 2025

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    14 dot balls for Marnus Labuschagne before that single.

  14. Postpublished at 01:18 GMT 17 December 2025

    Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Usman KhawajaImage source, Getty Images

    Usman Khawaja probably thought his career was done and dusted. Steve Smith being crooked has given Khawaja another life!

  15. Aus 72-2published at 21 overs

    Perhaps another wicket or two before lunch, Ali?

    Usman Khawaja is starting to looked pretty settled now and works the ball through mid-wicket for two off Ben Stokes.

    The England captain is causing Marnus Labuschagne a few issues and the right-hander was glad to get off the mark with a single midway through the over.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 01:13 GMT 17 December 2025

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    Chocolate advent calendar, fleecy blanket, nice cuppa tea and sunny Adelaide - what more do you need on a December night…

    Ali, Netley Abbey

  17. Aus 67-2published at 20 overs

    Loose ball from Josh Tongue and Usman Khawaja doesn't miss out, cutting up and over backward point for four.

    England will be keen to weasel another one out in the 20 minutes before lunch.

  18. Postpublished at 01:09 GMT 17 December 2025

    Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    England needed to start with some early wickets, and they have done that, but they need to captilise on that.

    No real interest from the England team to come together and talk about it.

    I don't think England have bowled exceptionally well.

    Too short, again. Sometimes you get a couple of early ones.

  19. Aus 62-2published at 19 overs

    Ben Stokes appeals for the wicket of Marnus LabuschagneImage source, PA Media

    Huge appeal from England as Ben Stokes hoops the ball back in to rap Marnus Labuschagne on the front pad.

    Not out, says the umpire, and that has to be because of an inside edge.

    Yep, Snicko confirms it. Otherwise that was plumb. Thankfully, Stokes realised as well and didn't burn a review.

    Five from the over with Usman Khawaja adding another boundary through square leg.

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 01:06 GMT 17 December 2025

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    Normal service has resumed. Dropped catch and 2 batters looking settled.

    Samuel, Polegate

    I think it is vital that two things happen now. We must get Khawaja very soon or the drop will play on the players minds and Brooky needs to take a great catch!

    Chris