England's hopes of regaining the Ashes are all but over after another woeful batting display enabled Australia to take complete control of the third Test.
England appeared to be in a strong position after claiming the two wickets required to bowl Australia out for 371 on the second morning on a flat pitch at the Adelaide Oval, but the tourists once again came up short with the bat as they were reduced to 213-8 at the close after yet more Snicko controversy.
Australia, who only need a draw to retain the Ashes after winning the first two Tests of the five-match series, lead by 158 with three days left to close out a likely victory.
The only significant England resistance came from Harry Brook (45), before skipper Ben Stokes (45 not out) and Jofra Archer (30 not out) shared an unbeaten stand of 45 to leave the tourists with just the slightest glimmer of hope.
For a second successive day, England were left aggrieved by the application of Snicko as Jamie Smith (22) was controversially given out caught behind after a review, but the clear shortcomings of the technology can be nothing more than a footnote.
Australia captain Pat Cummins was impressive on his return to action after missing the first two Tests through injury, claiming the key wicket of Joe Root as he returned figures of 3-54.
Spinner Nathan Lyon struck twice in his first over on his return to the team after being left out in Brisbane to surpass Glenn McGrath in second place on Australia's list of all-time Test wicket-takers, leaving only Shane Warne ahead of him.
Scott Boland (2-31) continued his strong series with more accurate bowling, Cameron Green took the key wicket of Brook, while Mitchell Starc was without a wicket on a quiet day for the left-armer who carried Australia's attack in the first two Tests.
What appears to be an inevitable slide to defeat in the match and series for England over the coming days, will raise major questions over the futures of captain Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key.
More to follow...
Australia lead five-match series 2-0
