Well, well.
It’s still a massive long-shot of course, but England has given itself a puncher’s chance to keep the 2025-26 Ashes series alive.
Inspired by captain Ben Stokes, the England attack took six wickets in the opening session of day four in Adelaide, meaning the tourists have just over five sessions to chase down 435 for the most unlikely of Ashes Test victories—cheered every ball by the ever-optimistic Barmy Army.
While theoretically possible, 148 years of statistics say it won’t happen with England needing to break multiple records to keep the Ashes alive, including the highest successful fourth innings run chase in Test cricket history.
Losing impulsive opener Ben Duckett for just four runs in the second over certainly won’t help.
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Greatest Ashes Test Run-Chases
1. Australia – 404/3 vs England
- 4th Test, Headingley 1948
- Target: 404
2. England – 362/9 vs Australia
- 3rd Test, Headingley 2019
- Target: 359
3. England – 332/8 vs Australia
- 4th Test, Melbourne 1928–29
- Target: 332
Greatest Test Run-Chase at the Adelaide Oval
Australia 6/315 vs England
- 3rd Test, 1902
- Target: 315
Greatest Run-Chase in Test History
West Indies - 7/418 vs Australia
- 4th Test, Antigua, 2003
- Target: 418