Like a house of cards

Adelaide, December 18

England were spared the ignominy of the follow-on but Australia were on course for victory after dominating Day 3 of the Day/Night second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval today.

Spearheading Australia’s pace attack, depleted by the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc combined with spinner Nathan Lyon to bundle out England for 236. The hosts, who had declared their first innings on 473/9, finished the day on 45/1 for an overall lead of 282 and looking primed to go 2-0 up in the five-Test series. Marcus Harris was batting on 21, while Debutant Michael Neser was on two in his nightwatchman’s role. Brief scores: Australia: 473/ 9 declared & 45/1 (Harris 21*, Neser 2*); England: 236 all out (Malan 80, Starc 4/37, Lyon 3/58). — Reuters

Cummins to be back for Boxing Day Test

Adelaide: Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins was today confirmed available for the Boxing Day Test, which begins in Melbourne on December 26, after he was ruled out of the ongoing second Test in Adelaide after being identified as a close contact of a Covid-positive person. Cummins had dined with fellow New South Wales and Adelaide Strikers fast bowler Harry Conway on the eve of the second Test. It was confirmed today that Cummins will not have to continue his isolation and will resume training for the third Test. agencies