Australia were 94 for two at lunch on day one of the third Ashes test against England on Wednesday after home captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first on a sweltering morning at Adelaide Oval.

Australia is batting first in the Adelaide Test after being rocked by the last-second withdrawal of Steve Smith.

Australia star Steve Smith was ruled out of the third Ashes cricket test against England just before the toss of the coin on Wednesday because of a lingering illness. Smith led Australia to eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins.

The third Ashes Test got under way on Tuesday night (GMT), with England needing to win in order to keep the five-match series alive.

England face Australia in the third Ashes Test of the 2025/26 series this week looking to avoid a series defeat. It has been a shambolic start to the series for England, losing the first two Tests

The fast bowler will return as captain at Adelaide as he plays his first game for five months having recovered from a back injury

Australia rebuild again after England strike twice in first over after lunch - The third Test begins at the Adelaide Oval with England 2-0 down to Australia in the series

Australia vs England Live Score 3rd Test Day 1: When England takes on Australia in the third and crucial Test of the ongoing Ashes series at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, with a 2-0 series deficit, they will try to give it their all.

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