Match 3rd Test
The Ashes 2025-26
December 17, 2025, 5:00 am
Australia Logo
Australia
Odds » 1.37
VS.
England Logo
England
Odds » 2.9
Draw » 11
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

AUS vs ENG Today’s Match Prediction & Cricket Betting Tips: The Ashes 2025-26, 3rd Test, December 17

Published on: Dec 16, 2025 1:45 pm IST | Updated on: Dec 16, 2025 1:55 pm IST

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After 10 long days, Ashes action is back. The 3rd Ashes Test is all set to be played at the Adelaide Oval with the hosts leading 2-0. Ahead of the third Test, the hosts have a massive advantage, as their skipper, Pat Cummins, is back and will be leading the side in this game. With the return of Cummins, England have been put under the pump even more, as they have to deal with the same after trailing 0-2 in the series. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 3rd Test Match, AUS vs ENG, at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

Win Probability: AUS vs ENG

Once again, it is going to be the hosts, Australia, who will start as the favorites in this game. England have failed to win a single Test on Australian soil ever since winning the 2010-11 Ashes series 3-1 in Australia. The visitors have been very casual, particularly with the bat in the past two games, and if they don’t find a solution for the same, Australia will keep their juggernaut going and thrash Ben Stokes and his men in yet another Test match. There’s no doubt where the win probability meter would lean in this game. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 3rd Test Match, AUS vs ENG, at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

AUS: 71% win chance
ENG: 29% win chance

  • One more win and Australia will retain the Ashes urn.
  • England can’t afford to lose this game, as one more loss will shut the door for them to script a comeback in this series.
  • Australia now has 5 wins in their last 5 Test matches.
  • England has only one win to their name, along with 3 losses and a drawn game.

Cricket Betting Tips for AUS vs ENG- 3rd Test

Steven Smith to score Over 38.5 in 1st Innings

Although we haven't got to see the best of Steven Smith yet in this series, the fact that he averages close to 44 at this venue in Test makes him one of the best bets for this game.

Travis Head to score Over 32.5 in 1st Innings

Travis Head knows only one way; he stands in the middle to bash the bowlers no matter what format he plays. With already a hundred to his name in this series, Head would be hoping to get into more runs.

Harry Brook to score Over 31.5 in 1st Innings

Harry Brook looked great in the first innings of Perth Test as he took the bowlers on with his aggressive batting display. Since then, his form has dipped, but the talent he possesses won't keep him away from runs for long.

Joe Root to score Over 35.5 in 1st Innings

After finally getting his first ever ton in Australia in the last game, Joe Root should feel confident about his batting. Heading into Adelaide, he should look positive and his hunger for runs must be elevated. Expect the veteran batter to have a good game with the bat.

AUS vs ENG Today’s Match Prediction

Check out our prediction for the AUS vs ENG 3rd Test match at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

England has a ‘Cummins’ problem to deal with

English batters weren’t over with the nightmare named Mitchell Starc, and now they have to deal with Pat Cummins as well, who will be partnering the world-class left-arm pacer in this second Ashes Test in Adelaide. The English batters have looked clueless against the 36-year-old so far, as he has skittled them with his sheer pace and swing. Heading into Adelaide, they have a problem named Pat Cummins, who is returning to competitive cricket after a long injury layoff of 5 months.

“Scoreboard pressure” is one term that has been used in cricket for years, irrespective of the formats. In this series, the English side has failed to mount pressure on the hosts, as their batting hasn’t fired the way they would have wanted. Every now and then, giving wickets away against sheer pace suggests that the visitors are lacking skills to play quality pace. In Adelaide and the two Test matches to follow, the English batters have to rise to the occasion and mount scoreboard pressure on the Aussies to give themselves a chance of somehow staying alive in this series.

Big guns like Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and the skipper himself, Ben Stokes, need to grind and bat for hours to make the Australian pace attack suffer under the sun. They have to score runs at any cost to give themselves a chance to win this game because one more loss and it will be curtains for the visitors in this 5-match Ashes Test series.

Australia doesn’t need to change their approach

Steven Smith has done a magnificent job as the skipper of the side in the opening two Test matches in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins. With Cummins back at the helm for the Adelaide Test, their approach shouldn’t change. The hosts found it tough in the first innings of the Perth Test, but since then, they have been all over England, particularly in all 4 innings at the Gabba.

For Australia to retain the Ashes urn, they just need a win in Adelaide, or even a draw would suffice. So far, the batters have had their share of luck, but the bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc, have been quite a dominant force. With Pat Cummins also back to partner Mitchell Starc, Australia will look to build pressure on England’s already down batting line-up. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.

AUS vs ENG Head-to-Head

Matches Played: 363
AUS won: 154
ENG won: 112
Draw: 97
RECENT form AUSTRALIA: W W W W W
RECENT form ENGLAND: W D L L L

Two wins in two games means Australia is only stretching their lead against England in head-to-head Test matches. With a win at the Gabba, Australia now have 154 wins to their name in 363 Test matches, whereas England only has 112 wins to show. 97 games between the two sides have ended in a draw. 

Team Analysis: Australia and England

How will the two teams, i.e., Australia and England, fare in the third Ashes Test? Let’s take a look.

Australia (AUS)

  • The hosts have locked in their playing XI for this Test.
  • Pat Cummins is back to lead the side and will be taking the place of Brendan Doggett.
  • Despite putting up a match-winning effort in the last Test match with a 5-fer, Michael Neser has to unfortunately miss out for a spinner, Nathan Lyon.
  • Despite regaining 100% fitness from a back spasm, opener Usman Khawaja has failed to make it to the eleven.

Expected Starting 11

Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (C), Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

England (ENG)

  • The visitors have also named their eleven for this game.
  • They are going into Adelaide with a sole change. Pacer Gus Atkinson has made way for another young pacer, Josh Tongue.

Expected Starting 11

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue

Weather Conditions and Pitch Report

Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 3rd Test between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide:

Pitch ReportWeather Report
The Adelaide Oval surface is traditionally batting-friendly early on, offering good pace and bounce for stroke-makers.Day 1 (Dec 17): Sunny, max temp around 35°C, no rain expected, light winds.
Expect true bounce and carry for fast bowlers, especially under lights in the day-night conditions.Day 2 (Dec 18): Hot again, temperatures in the mid-30s, minimal cloud cover.
As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into play from Day 3 onwards.Day 3 (Dec 19): Still warm, but conditions begin to ease slightly with temps around 30°C.
Batting becomes tougher in the final two days, with variable bounce and footmarks assisting bowlers.Day 4–5 (Dec 20–21): Chance of rain showers, cooler conditions (mid-20s), which could affect play.
Overall, teams winning the toss usually prefer to bat first to capitalize on the early batting-friendly conditions.Weather likely to play a role late in the match, potentially aiding England if they need time saved.

Toss Prediction

Australia will likely opt to bat first if they win the toss, aiming to capitalize on Adelaide’s batting-friendly surface in the opening days. England, however, may prefer to bowl under lights, exploiting seam movement in the evening session. The toss could decisively shape momentum in this crucial third Test.

Where to Watch Today’s Match

The online live streaming of the 3rd Test match of the Ashes 2025-26 will take place live on the JioHotstar app. The live TV coverage for this series will be available on the Star Sports 1, 2, and 3 channels.

AUS vs ENG: Today’s Match Predictions

Australia has been flying high with two wins in two games so far in the Ashes Test series. They have been terrific in their approach both with the bat and ball, and will look to continue doing what they have been doing. For England to register a win here and keep the series alive, their batters need to step up against Mitchell Starc’s fiery pace. If they manage to do so, then only they will be able to stop Australia’s juggernaut. For now, the hosts, Australia, still remain the favorites and are expected to win the AUS vs ENG 3rd Ashes Test match.

Australia Logo
Odds » 1.37
VS.
England Logo
Odds » 2.9