Ashes Gets Spicy: Zak Crawley’s Time-Wasting Meets Pat Cummins’ Perfect Riposte | WATCH
Ashes Gets Spicy England struck early on Day 4, wrapping up Australia for 349 and setting themselves a daunting 435 to win – but it was the late-session theatre that stole the spotlight.
With just minutes left before lunch, Pat Cummins removed Ben Duckett with a thick edge, turning the screws with the new ball. Ollie Pope nudged his first run, leaving Zak Crawley to face the final moments – and igniting a gripping duel.
How good are the mind games between Pat Cummins and Zak Crawley? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/APMPhGmb6Q
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 20, 2025
Sensing danger, Crawley tried to run down the clock, wandering down the pitch and tapping away as the break loomed. Cummins wasn’t amused. Wearing a grin, the Australian captain slowed things down himself, fiddling with his shoes and forcing Crawley to wait.
Ashes Gets Spicy: The standoff ended the only way it could: Cummins charged in and delivered a beauty that squared Crawley up completely, whistling past the outside edge. A few choice words followed, Crawley could only smile – and the Ashes walked into lunch with the temperature rising fast.
MARNUS ARE YOU KIDDING! WOWWWWW!#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/vikW0O7B6L
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 20, 2025
A Historic Miracle Needed For England
Travis Head slammed 170, and Alex Carey hit 72 Saturday as Australia were all out for 249 to set England a record 435 to win and keep the Ashes alive.
England took six wickets before lunch to wrap up Australia’s second innings for 349 at the Adelaide Oval.
It left England with 10 minutes to bat before lunch, but disaster struck in the second over when Ben Duckett, on four, edged Pat Cummins to Marnus Labuschagne at second slip.
England were at 5-1 at lunch, with Ollie Pope on one and Zak Crawley yet to score.
England must win to keep the five-match series alive after being crushed by eight wickets at Perth and Brisbane. Australia, as holders, only need a draw to retain the urn.
Ben Stokes’s men will have to produce something extra special as they stare down the barrel of a 435-run target for victory.
No team has ever chased down more than 316 at the Adelaide Oval, while the biggest successful run chase in Test history was 418 by the West Indies against Australia at St. Johns in 2003.
