Ashes 2025-26: England swashbuckling batter Harry Brook needs just seven runs to reach 3000 Test runs before England’s fourth Ashes Test against Australia in Melbourne on December 26. The star batter will tie Denis Compton’s record as England’s second-fastest to this milestone with 57 innings, as per a report by ESPNcricinfo.
Brook leads England’s batting in the 3-0 series deficit with 173 runs, trailing only Joe Root. Despite one half-century in six innings, important dismissals have impacted him at critical moments.
The Ben Stokes-led England side has been outplayed in all departments by Australia in the three matches that have been played so far.
In the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, Australia won the toss and batted first but struggled early, falling to 94/4 owing to impressive bowling by Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse. However, veteran Usman Khawaja (82) and Alex Carey (106) revived the innings, helping Australia post 371. Archer starred with 5/53 for England, supported by Josh Tongue and Will Jacks.
In England’s first innings, Nathan Lyon (2/70) and Pat Cummins (3/70) restricted big partnerships, but Ben Stokes (83) and Archer (51) put together a century stand to reach 286, still trailing by 85. Boland took three wickets to finish off the tail.
Australia’s second innings saw Travis Head (170) and Carey (72) dominate, setting a total of 349. England, chasing a record 435, lost early wickets and struggled despite partnerships from Joe Root (39), Harry Brook (56), Jamie Smith (60), and Will Jacks (47). Key contributions from Carse (39*) helped, but England were eventually bowled out for 352.
Starc, Cummins, and Lyon were Australia’s standout bowlers. Australia secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, with Alex Carey earning Player of the Match for his two crucial knocks.