The Ashes - 3rd Test Preview
Australia arrive in Adelaide 2–0 up in the Ashes and, for the first time in the series, England are heading somewhere that removes all excuses. No pink ball. No night sessions. No moving target under lights. Just a red ball, a flat surface, and five full days to prove they can play proper Test cricket in Australia.
That is why this Test matters more than the scoreline suggests.
Perth was fast and uneven. Brisbane was hostile and amplified every technical flaw. Adelaide traditionally strips things back. If England fail here, it will not be because conditions ambushed them. It will be because they were not good enough.
The conversation around England has hardened since Brisbane. Australian media have leaned into the “arrogance” tag after the way England continued to attack regardless of match situation, while UK outlets have been more forensic, questioning whether Bazball has become rigidity rather than philosophy. Ben Stokes has pushed back strongly, insisting England will not abandon their identity, but even he has conceded that better execution is non-negotiable.
Joe Root’s Brisbane hundred remains England’s one genuine positive. Every outlet from Wisden to Fox Cricket framed it as the blueprint. Patience. Shot selection. Respect for conditions. The issue is that it stood alone. England still collapsed around him, still lost control of sessions, still handed Australia momentum too easily. Adelaide demands company. One anchor is not enough on a surface that rewards time at the crease.
Bowling is where England are under the most scrutiny. The criticism has been harsh but fair. Too short. Too wide. Too eager to manufacture moments. Adelaide Oval historically rewards bowlers who hit the top of off and stay there. It punishes those who chase wickets. If England repeat their Brisbane discipline here, the red ball will not save them.
Australia, by contrast, arrive with clarity rather than noise. The Usman Khawaja saga has faded from the headlines, as has the Perth pitch debate. Whoever opens will be asked to do the same job Australia have asked of their top order all summer: absorb, occupy, let the game come to them. Steve Smith looks settled. Marnus Labuschagne looks close. The middle order has not had to chase games yet, which tells its own story.
The bowling attack remains Australia’s biggest advantage. Mitchell Starc does not have a pink ball this time, but his record at Adelaide with the red ball is still formidable. Nathan Lyon’s absence continues to be discussed, but Australia have not needed spin dominance because they have not been forced into long defensive spells. Their quicks have controlled tempo, not chased it.
This is the Test where Bazball meets its most uncomfortable question. Can England play with intent without surrendering control. Can they build pressure instead of trying to shortcut it. Can they bowl six good balls repeatedly and trust the surface to do the rest.
Adelaide will not trick anyone. It will not accelerate collapses. It will not create chaos out of nothing. If England lose here, it will be because Australia were better across five days of normal Test cricket.
And that might be the most damaging outcome of all.
