Australia have retained the Ashes, securing the series with two matches to spare after a hard-fought 82-run victory over England in the third Test at Adelaide Oval. The win gives the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
England's Valiant Chase Falls Short
Beginning the final day needing a further 228 runs with four wickets in hand, England showed significant grit. Will Jacks dug in for a stubborn 47 from 137 deliveries, while Jamie Smith scored a vital 60 from 83 balls, his first major contribution of the tour. Their resistance forced Australia to work hard for the win, even after losing spinner Nathan Lyon to a hamstring injury during the morning session.
England's target of 435 was a record chase, and for a period, they chipped away at it, scoring 102 runs in the morning. However, the task ultimately proved too great against a relentless Australian attack.
Starc Steps Up to Break English Hearts
Fittingly, it was Mitchell Starc who delivered the decisive blows. After a relatively quiet match with the ball, the left-arm fast bowler removed Smith, Jacks, and Jofra Archer in a pivotal spell either side of a rain-delayed lunch. His intervention set the stage for Scott Boland to claim the final wicket of Josh Tongue, sealing the victory shortly after 2pm local time.
Starc's performance capped a stellar series for him, having previously excelled in Perth and Brisbane while captain Pat Cummins was absent. His crucial wickets in Adelaide extinguished England's last flickering hopes of a miraculous comeback.
Series Sealed in Record Time
The victory means Pat Cummins's side has equalled the record for the fastest Ashes series win, matching the achievements of Steve Waugh's teams in 2001 and 2002/03 by securing the urn in just 11 days of play. The comprehensive 3-0 lead underscores Australia's dominance on home soil.
For England, the dream of a historic Ashes triumph in Australia lies in ruins. The team now faces two dead-rubber Tests over the Christmas period, playing only for pride and crucial World Test Championship points. Their endeavour in Adelaide, while spirited, ultimately highlighted the gulf between the two sides in this series.
