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England on Brink of Ashes Defeat After Smith's Blunder
21 Dec
Summary
- Jamie Smith's aggressive shot led to his crucial dismissal on day five.
- Australia needs three more wickets for an unassailable 3-0 Ashes lead.
- Spinner Nathan Lyon departed with a match-ending hamstring injury.
England faces imminent defeat in the Ashes series after a critical error by batter Jamie Smith on day five in Adelaide. Smith's ambitious stroke, attempting to clear the boundary, resulted in his dismissal for 60, shattering England's hopes of chasing a monumental 435.
This pivotal moment occurred as Smith and Will Jacks had forged a promising 91-run partnership. The situation worsened for England with the departure of their vital spinner, Nathan Lyon, due to a hamstring injury sustained while fielding, leaving them six wickets down and Australia on the cusp of victory.
Despite a brief interruption for rain and some aggressive batting from England, Australia remains firmly in control. The loss of Lyon, who had been instrumental on day four, combined with Smith's uncharacteristic shot selection, has placed England in a precarious position, potentially conceding a 3-0 lead in the series.
