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The Ashes 3rd Test LIVE: Australia vs England, free streams, Day 1 updates from the Adelaide Oval

Pat Cummins returns for Australia as they look to secure The Ashes

Pat Cummins and Ben Stokes
(Image: © Pat Cummins - Gareth Copley/Getty Images, Ben Stokes - Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The third Ashes Test is here, and it’s do-or-die for England as Australia already have one hand on the urn after winning the opening two games.

Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon return for Australia, while Josh Tongue comes into the starting XI for England.

Watching The Ashes 3rd Test Essentials

  • Start Time: Wednesday, 17 December — 10:30 a.m. AEDT / 11:30 p.m. GMT (Tue.) / 6:30 p.m. ET (Tue.)
  • Free Stream: 7Plus (AUS)
  • UK Stream: TNT Sports
  • US Stream: Willow TV
  • Our full Ashes streaming guide
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England do things in twos

England have a reason to be cheerful

England have a reason to be cheerful (Image credit: Getty Images)

What do the England team's wickets and the animals of Noah's Ark have in common? They come in twos.

Laboured comparison aside, the English side seem to love claiming back to back wickets in flurries of five minutes.

Some outstanding work from Archer and great work from the fielders too. You can tell they're terrified of dropping anything after a very butterfingered performance in Brisbane.

4-106.

Another wicket!

We're back from lunch...and a wicket already!

Will this batting duo go the full way?

The next batting duo

The next batting duo (Image credit: Getty Images)

Khawaja and Labuschagne will surely see the Aussie team over 100 runs unless England bring it in the first few minutes after lunch, but how far can they go?

These two batters are looking strong but they'll need to be resilient to see Australia get a substantial number on the scoreboard.

It's early days so let's check in as the first ball after lunch is about to be played.

2-94.

Break for lunch

The final stand for England?

Potential LBW?

Brook misses a catch!

England try and seize the momentum

England celebrates two successive wickets

England celebrates two successive wickets (Image credit: Getty Images)

While England should celebrate their wickets, they should also not rest on their laurels too much.

Things certainly look set for an action-packed day if this is anything to go by but it's only going to get hotter which may see a sluggish pace develop on both sides.

2-37.

And another!

The first wicket!

Carse and Archer's bowling under scrutiny.

Another four!

Carse is shaky, Weatherald is soaring

The first FOUR!

The first ball is bowled!

A scorcher in SA!

The pre-match ceremony begins

The toss: Pat opts to bat!

Breaking: Steve Smith won't play the third test

Broadcast has started now!

Australia vs England XI's — Pat Cummins returns!

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 16: Pat Cummins of Australia speaks to media during his press conference after an Australia nets session at Adelaide Oval on December 16, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia.

(Image credit: Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Australia XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.

Welcome to the 3rd Ashes Test match!

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 16: England captain Ben Stokes speaks to the BBC after a press conference at Adelaide Oval on December 16, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia.

(Image credit: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The Ashes returns today as Australia edge ever closer to retaining the urn. Successive victories, achieved without the likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have put them on the brink of another comfortable home series win.

For England, it is a familiar story Down Under. However, they now find themselves with nothing to lose — and under those circumstances, Bazball could yet prove dangerous.

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