The Ashes live scores: Recap from the Third Test’s Day 1 at Adelaide Oval
Cricket: It’s now or never for England - and perhaps the future of Bazball as a philosophy - as the Third Test begins in Adelaide.
Australia can wrap up the series with a win, and even a draw will see them retain the urn at worst this summer.
There’s changes for both sides, with the Aussies recalling two of their greatest-ever bowlers in Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon at the expense of Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett - while a dramatic late swap saw an ill Steve Smith replaced by Usman Khawaja.
England bring in Josh Tongue for Gus Atkinson as their sole difference from Brisbane, backing in the batting unit that has largely failed in the opening two Tests of the series.
What will Day 1 have in store for us? Follow the latest below, with play set to start at 7.30am WA time.
Key events
17 Dec 2025 - 03:14 PM
Analysis
17 Dec 2025 - 03:06 PM
STUMPS - AUSTRALIA 8-326
17 Dec 2025 - 02:45 PM
Umpire expert believes Carey hit the ball
17 Dec 2025 - 02:39 PM
WICKET Carey ct Smith b Jacks 106
17 Dec 2025 - 02:21 PM
Alex Carey brings up a third Test century!
17 Dec 2025 - 01:51 PM
Carey’s DRS controversy
17 Dec 2025 - 01:43 PM
WICKET Cummins ct Pope b Carse 13
17 Dec 2025 - 01:17 PM
WICKET Inglis b Tongue 32
17 Dec 2025 - 12:38 PM
50 for Alex Carey
17 Dec 2025 - 12:14 PM
TEA - AUSTRALIA 5-194
17 Dec 2025 - 11:59 AM
WICKET Khawaja ct Tongue b Jacks 82
17 Dec 2025 - 10:57 AM
50 for Usman Khawaja
17 Dec 2025 - 10:15 AM
Cam Green falls!
17 Dec 2025 - 10:12 AM
OUT LABSUCHAGNE FALLS FIRST BALL AFTER LUNCH
17 Dec 2025 - 09:35 AM
LUNCH AUSTRALIA 2-94
17 Dec 2025 - 08:19 AM
WICKET Head ct Crawley b Carse
17 Dec 2025 - 08:13 AM
WICKET Weatherald ct Smith b Archer 18
17 Dec 2025 - 07:37 AM
Smith update
17 Dec 2025 - 07:23 AM
WATCH: Bondi tribute
17 Dec 2025 - 07:03 AM
Toss: Australia win and will BAT, Khawaja to bat at No.4
17 Dec 2025 - 06:46 AM
Smith OUT
WATCH: Bondi tribute
With both teams out in the middle, a moment’s silence is observed in the wake of the tragic events at Bondi on Sunday, with the words ‘We Stand Together’ on the big screen.
John Williamson performs ‘True Blue’, with his acoustic guitar ringing out across Adelaide Oval in emotional scenes.
Khawaja in the middle
We saw Khawaja batting at No.4 in his most recent Test dig in Perth, of course, when he couldn’t open after missing time in the field.
He made just 2 there, and was out for a duck in his only other Test knock at that spot in the order back in 2016.
Conversely, he averages 238 (!) from his two knocks at No.5 in Test cricket!
Final line-ups
So it’s ultimately three changes for a winning side for Australia, coming out of Brisbane: Cummins, Lyon and Khawaja in for Neser, Doggett and Smith.
England - who would have batted first had they won the toss, Ben Stokes admits - make the sole change with Josh Tongue in for Gus Atkinson. Their attack will get an immediate audit today.
Toss: Australia win and will BAT, Khawaja to bat at No.4
We’ll get an early look at Australia’s retooled batting line-up as Pat Cummins calls correctly!
Khawaja will slot straight into Smith’s spot at No.4. Head and Weatherald will remain atop the order.
Cummins on Smith: “Steve’s feeling a little bit unwell the last couple of days... he came and gave it a crack this morning but he didn’t think he was going to get up for this one. So he’s headed off home.”
More on Smith
Smith reportedly suffering from vertigo.
“It’s a horrible thing... for him to walk out of the ground, that tells me Steve Smith’s feeling really unwell,” Smith’s former coach Justin Langer says on Seven.
Stand by for the toss and teams in the next few minutes, where we’ll get more info on Smith’s situation and find out whether Khawaja will open or slot into the middle order.
Smith OUT
Broadcaster Seven is reporting Smith is now officially OUT of the Test.
He had a chat with Andrew McDonald around an hour before play, and now it appears he’s come up short in his quest to feature.
So it’s Uzzie IN? We’ll know for sure at the toss and teams at 7am WA time!
Smith in doubt
Steve Smith is reportedly under a huge cloud. He struggled with illness earlier in the week, and there’s now word that he’s leaving Adelaide Oval to return to the team hotel.
That would be a massive blow for Australia, if their best batter is out, and potentially lead to an extraordinary reprieve for Usman Khawaja.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Third Test!
It looms as a defining few days for England and everything they stand for. But there’s big looming news to begin with...
