Cummins, Lyon floor England as Australia march towards Ashes triumph

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ADELAIDE, Dec 20 - Pat Cummins skittled Englands top order and Nathan Lyon spun out their soft underbelly to all but seal another Ashes series victory for Australia on day four of the third test at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Chasing a world record 435 runs to win, England were reduced to 207 for six at stumps, still 228 runs short of victory and having played no small part in their predicament through batting misadventure.

Jamie Smith, on two, and Will Jacks, on 11, were left to try to salvage something from the wreckage of another demolition day for the tourists.

With holders Australia 2-0 up in the five-test series after eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane, they need only draw the match to retain the urn.

But there is little prospect of a rousing comeback win from an England squad that have failed to live up to expectations.

Obviously very disappointing. Uphill battle from here, England opener Zak Crawley told reporters.

We came here to win the Ashes and were staring down the barrel now .... Its been tough, theyre a very, very good side.... Obviously weve been slightly short of our best but credit to them.

Questions have been asked of Englands preparations, selections and batting approach, and there were plenty more teachable moments from Saturdays play at Adelaide Oval.

Their batters seemed determined to squander the rare periods when they could reasonably be judged to be on top of the Australian attack.

They needed at least one, and preferably two, to stand up like Travis Head who put on 170, nearly half Australias second-innings total of 349, to effectively bat England out of the game.