Cricket
Motorsport
Basketball test
League - Test
Combat Sports
Netball
Football
LIVE: "Can't bat, can't win" England break a nation's hearts
SEN • December 19th, 2025 10:08 am
England managed to survive to Stumps on Day 2 and they'll take a modicum of momentum into Day 3 after a 45-run partnership between Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer; however, it’s Australia who hold the aces thanks to some disciplined bowling in extreme heat.
The return of captain Pat Cummins proved vital as the skipper took 3/54, including Joe Root for the 12th time in Test cricket.
England begin Day 3 8/213, 158 runs behind the Aussies.
What will day three bring? Follow live below.
8am: England legend rips team apart
There was fighting talk from England captain Ben Stokes ahead of the third Test, but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears when it comes to the rest of his team who melted in the Adelaide heat on Thursday.
Sir Geoffrey Boycott was filthy about the display.
"Can’t bat can’t win," he told the UK Telegraph. "Stokes and Archer made a nice contribution. Australia got 45 priceless runs in the morning. Root 19, Crawley 9, Pope, 3 another shocker. Jacks just isn’t good enough.
"It’s left to Stokes, head down, grinding and determined. Four hours for 45 n/o. He tried like hell. Archer 30n/o made things looks reasonable. Fact is England trail by 158 runs.
"It’s heart-breaking watching this, listening to Stokes’ fighting talk but as soon as they’re put under pressure they fold."
