Australia have successfully retained the coveted Ashes urn with two matches still remaining in the series, following a tense 82-run victory over England on the final day of the third Test at the Adelaide Oval. The win gives the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead, dashing England's hopes of a miraculous record chase.
England's Valiant Fightback Crushed
Starting the day at 6 for 207, still needing 228 runs, England showed remarkable resilience. They added 102 crucial runs in the morning session, with Jamie Smith scoring a fighting 60. At lunch, the equation had narrowed, with Australia needing three wickets and England requiring 126 runs to keep the series alive. However, the dream of chasing down the mammoth target of 435 — which would have been a world-record fourth-innings chase — was always a monumental task.
No team in Test cricket history has ever chased more than 418 in the fourth innings, a record set by the West Indies against Australia back in 2003. England captain Ben Stokes later admitted his belief that his team could have created history, but Australia's bowling attack had other plans.
Starc Leads the Decisive Charge
With key spinner Nathan Lyon off the field due to a hamstring injury, the responsibility fell on the pace attack. Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc rose to the occasion, claiming three of the final four wickets to seal the match. He removed Will Jacks for 47, dismissed Jofra Archer for 3, and set up Scott Boland to take the final wicket of Josh Tongue. This left Brydon Carse stranded on 39 not out as England were bowled out for 352.
Australian captain Pat Cummins, who returned to lead the side after missing the first two Tests with a back injury, described the series-clinching win as "pretty awesome". He praised his team's effort in what he called a tough and drawn-out contest, highlighting the grinding nature of Test cricket in Australia.
Key Performances and England's Continuing Woes
Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey was deservedly named Player of the Match for his all-round performance. He scored a century in the first innings and a vital half-century in the second, partnering with Travis Head who made a brilliant 170. Carey also effected seven dismissals behind the stumps.
For England, the defeat extends a painful streak on Australian soil. The team has now gone 5,462 days without a Test win in Australia, a run that includes series whitewashes of 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0, and now a 3-0 deficit in this campaign. Captain Ben Stokes acknowledged the disappointment but urged his team to show resilience and focus on winning the remaining two Tests, starting with the Boxing Day clash in Melbourne on December 26.
The series now moves to Melbourne and Sydney for the final two matches, which will be played for pride as Australia look to secure a series whitewash while England aim to salvage some honour.
