Ashes D4: 3rd Test – What did they think was going to happen?

Australia tightened their grip on the third Ashes Test on day four, leaving England 228 runs away with just four wickets in hand as the match heads into a decisive final day. With special guest Stuart Clark joining Corbin Middlemas, the mood was one of inevitability. As Corbin put it, “the shorthand of the day is that Australia are on the cusp of victory.”

Nathan Lyon was central to that squeeze, ripping through England’s middle order in a decisive evening spell. Clark summed it up succinctly: “Lyon had them in a spin in that final session,” triggering a collapse that tilted the match firmly Australia’s way. Pat Cummins again underlined his value, striking before and after the breaks and dismissing Joe Root for the 13th time in Tests. “He’s a freal, your strike bowler and your workhorse,” Clark said.

The conversation also turned to England’s shifting approach, with Bazball increasingly shelved under sustained pressure. Clark was blunt in assessment: “Bad planning. Bad preparation. What did they think was going to happen?”

With four wickets left and history stacked against them, England face a final-day climb Australia expect to finish.

ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by special guest Stuart Clark to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter.

Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,’ hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast’