Australia captain Pat Cummins marked his return from a stress fracture with a dominant bowling performance in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, putting his side on the verge of a series-clinching victory. Cummins missed the first two Tests and had no match preparation before his comeback, having spent five months in the gym and nets without playing a competitive match. Despite that, he bowled as if he had never been away, taking early wickets and breaking England's resistance.
The Australian paceman's familiarity with home conditions proved crucial on a flat pitch in Adelaide. Cummins dismissed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope early, before removing Joe Root after a brief stand between Root and Zak Crawley. Root, who has now fallen to Cummins 13 times in Test cricket, was visibly frustrated as he was drawn into a false stroke. Cummins' celebration showed the importance of the breakthrough, which effectively sealed the match.
England had been set a target of 435, and briefly threatened through Root and Crawley before Cummins struck. Spinner Nathan Lyon then took over, dismissing Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Crawley to leave England's chase in tatters. Lyon's clever variations and turn on a wearing pitch proved too much for the lower order.
The victory in Adelaide gave Australia an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, with two Tests still to play. Cummins, who had been rested from the first two matches to recover from his injury, was expected to celebrate with teammates after the match.
