Day 4 of the Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval delivered high drama as tension boiled over in the final moments before lunch. With Australia setting England an intimidating target, the spotlight shifted to a gripping psychological duel between Pat Cummins and Zak Crawley. England, trying to safely negotiate a short but dangerous spell, appeared keen to run down the clock. Crawley stepped away repeatedly, wandered down the pitch and delayed play as the lunch break approached.
Cummins, clearly unimpressed, responded in kind. Wearing a knowing smile, the Australian captain slowed things down himself, adjusting his footwear and forcing Crawley to wait. The contest ended decisively when Cummins steamed in and bowled a sharp delivery that squared Crawley up and flew past the outside edge. Some animated words followed. Crawley smiled, and both sides walked off with the intensity of the contest visibly rising.
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How good are the mind games between Pat Cummins and Zak Crawley? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/APMPhGmb6Q
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 20, 2025
MARNUS ARE YOU KIDDING! WOWWWWW!#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/vikW0O7B6L
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 20, 2025
Australia Build A Mountainous Lead
Earlier, Australia laid the foundation for England’s nightmare chase through a dominant batting display. Travis Head produced a blistering innings of 170, attacking England’s bowlers with authority and confidence. Alex Carey provided strong support, contributing a vital 72 that helped Australia extend their lead beyond reach.
Despite England fighting back with the ball and claiming six wickets before lunch, Australia were eventually bowled out for 349 in their second innings. That effort left England facing a daunting target of 435 runs for victory. The scale of the task underlined Australia’s control of the match, as their batters ensured the pressure firmly remained on the visitors heading into the decisive final phase of the Test.
England Stare At History And Pressure
England’s reply began in troubling fashion. With only a brief window to bat before lunch, disaster struck when Ben Duckett edged Cummins to slip early in the innings. England went into the break at 5 for 1, with Ollie Pope just off the mark and Crawley yet to score. The numbers make the challenge stark.
No team has ever chased more than 316 runs at the Adelaide Oval, and the highest successful run chase in Test history stands at 418. England must win this match to keep the five-Test Ashes series alive after suffering heavy defeats earlier, while Australia, as holders, need only a draw to retain the urn. Ben Stokes and his side now require something extraordinary, bordering on historic, to overcome the odds and stay alive in the series.
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