Australia have retained the Ashes in dramatic fashion, sealing the series with an 82-run victory over England in the third Test at Adelaide Oval. The win gives the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead, but it was overshadowed by a potentially series-ending hamstring injury to veteran spinner Nathan Lyon.
Record Chase Falls Short as Starc Seals the Deal
Set a mammoth target of 435 runs to win, England showed remarkable defiance on the final day, threatening to pull off the greatest run chase in Test history. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 352 in the middle session, with Mitchell Starc claiming three of the last four wickets to finish with 3-62. His crucial interventions broke a dangerous partnership and snuffed out England's hopes.
The victory was set up by a commanding first-innings performance, where a century from Alex Carey (106) and 82 from Usman Khawaja helped Australia post 371. A fine 83 from Ben Stokes was the lone hand for England as they conceded an 85-run lead. Travis Head's magnificent 170 in the second innings, supported by another Carey half-century (72), pushed the game beyond England's reach.
Lyon's Agony and Cummins' Concern
The celebratory mood in the Australian camp was severely dampened by the sight of Nathan Lyon hobbling from the field on Sunday morning. The 38-year-old off-spinner injured his right hamstring while diving in the field and was later seen on crutches, struggling to straighten his leg.
Captain Pat Cummins cast serious doubt on Lyon's availability for the remainder of the series, stating, 'I doubt he'd be right for the next two [Tests].' With short turnarounds before the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the New Year's Test in Sydney, Lyon's absence would be a massive blow, given his key role in dismantling England's middle order late on day four.
Further worry surrounds Cummins himself. The pace spearhead, who returned brilliantly from a back injury to take six wickets in the match, was seen grabbing at his lower back on Saturday. While he bowled without apparent discomfort on Sunday, he refused to confirm his participation for Melbourne. 'We'll see how I pull up over the next day or two,' Cummins said post-match, with commentator Ricky Ponting suggesting the skipper will be rested.
A Decade of Dominance and English Despair
The series win ensures Australia's ownership of the Ashes urn will extend into a tenth year, having reclaimed it in the 2017-18 series. For England, the defeat extends a miserable record on Australian soil. It has now been 5,462 days since England last won a Test match in Australia, a victory dating back to January 2011.
Australia's achievement is all the more notable for being secured without star players featuring together. Steve Smith and Pat Cummins have not played in the same Test this series, while injured paceman Josh Hazlewood has been absent throughout. The series was wrapped up in just 786.3 overs, the quickest Ashes decider ever played on Australian soil.
Attention now turns to team selection for the MCG, with selectors likely to choose a replacement spinner from Corey Rocchiccioli, Matt Kuhnemann, or Todd Murphy. For England, the search for a first win on this tour—and a way to salvage pride—continues as the Ashes narrative shifts from the contest to the aftermath.
