Nearly four years of Ashes planning was left in smouldering ruins on Thursday as England buckled under the heat and the pressure at Adelaide Oval to lurch towards a series-deciding defeat in the third test against Australia.

On a day of roasting temperatures and fresh controversy involving the "Snicko" review technology, England were 213 for eight at stumps on day two, still 158 runs short in their reply to Australia's first innings 371.

England captain Ben Stokes (45 not out) and Jofra Archer (30 not out) showed courage to keep the ninth wicket intact for 45 runs, but their late resistance could do little to make up for failures higher up the order.

Leading 2-0 in the series, Australia need only draw the match to retain the urn they have held since 2017/18.

But there was little sign the hosts would be content with anything less than another crushing win after their comfortable victories in Perth and Brisbane.

There was certainly no easing back into the action for Australia's returning captain Pat Cummins and recalled spinner Nathan Lyon, who combined to blitz England's top order before lunch.

"Pretty proud about how the boys went about it," Lyon told TNT Sports. "Pat's been phenomenal as captain as always, but the effort from our fast bowlers to get them 213-8 off 68 overs it's a pretty big effort so rest up, recover and we'll have another crack in the morning."

SNICKO IN THE SPOTLIGHT

England lost 3-5 in a collapse that may have snuffed out the last flicker of optimism from having earlier denied Australia a 400-plus total on a flat wicket.

Cummins threw his rehabilitated back into his work, removing Zak Crawley (9) caught behind in a partnership-breaking dismissal before Lyon struck with two wickets in four balls.

The wily offspinner's second dismissal was a peach, bowling Ben Duckett for 29 with a ball that gripped, turned and beat the outside edge.

Lyon's first was a gift, though, as under-fire number three Ollie Pope surrendered his wicket for three with a flick off his pads caught at midwicket.