How did Day 3 of the 2nd Ashes Test go between Australia vs England? — Review, Turning Points & more

Australia dominated most of Day 3 in the second Test of the Ashes 2025-26, asserting control with both bat and ball to secure a commanding lead. Resuming with Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc at the crease, Australia continued to frustrate England’s bowlers. Carey brought up his 12th Test fifty and went on to score a valuable 63.

The major resistance, however, came from the ninth-wicket stand between Starc and Scott Boland. The pair occupied the crease for 164 deliveries, adding a crucial 75 runs.

Starc played a gritty knock of 77 from 141 balls, further stretching Australia’s advantage. For England, Brydon Carse returned figures of 4/152, while captain Ben Stokes claimed 3/113, but Australia still built a substantial first-innings lead of 177 runs.

In response, England closed the day at 134/6, still trailing by 43 runs. Zak Crawley top-scored with 44, but the rest of the batting order struggled against Australia’s disciplined pace attack. Starc, Michael Neser, and Boland took two wickets each, tightening their grip and putting England under immense pressure heading into Day 4.

Top batting performance — Mitchell Starc

Left-handed batter Mitchell Starc emerged as the standout performer with the bat on Day 3. Outclassing the other half-centurions, Starc played a resilient and controlled innings, scoring 77 off 141 balls with 13 fours. His knock proved pivotal in stabilising Australia’s innings and extending their advantage. Starc also forged a crucial partnership with Scott Boland for the ninth wicket, a stand that significantly strengthened Australia’s lead.

Top bowling performance — Michael Neser

Australian pacer Michael Neser was the standout bowler on Day 3 of the second Test. England appeared to be in a steady position after losing only Ben Duckett early, but Neser turned the momentum in Australia’s favour with a crucial double strike. He first removed Ollie Pope for 26 with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort. Shortly after, he dismissed the well-set Zak Crawley for 44, once again completing a caught-and-bowled to break England’s resistance.

Neser finished the day with impressive figures of 2/27 from his seven overs.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

• Mitchell Starc has now dismissed Joe Root 11 times in Tests, equalling the record held jointly by Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins for most dismissals of Root in the format.
• This Test also produced a rare milestone, it is the first instance for Australia in an Ashes Test, and the first instance by any team in a day-night Ashes Test, where all 11 batters reached double figures in a single innings.
• Australia recorded six 50-plus partnerships in the innings, only the second time they have achieved this in an Ashes Test.
  The previous occasion also came at the same venue in 2006.