Mitchell Starc, skipper Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon shared nine wickets as Australia stormed to an 82-run victory in the Adelaide Test, retaining the Ashes series after winning their third consecutive Test this series.
Australia now holds an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, achieving this remarkable feat in just 11 days, matching the fastest time frame for winning the Ashes in the last century. This follows comfortable victories in Perth and Brisbane.
Despite the loss, England’s lower order fought hard, with wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith and all-rounder Brydon Carse putting up a commendable resistance. Their efforts raised hopes for a miraculous turnaround, but Australia’s disciplined bowling attack ensured the hosts maintained control and held onto the urn.
Smith scored 60 runs, while Will Jacks contributed 47 and Carse remained unbeaten on 38. England had reached 207-6 on Sunday in pursuit of a record 435 to win. However, Mitchell Starc’s bowling (3-62) brought Australia close to the end before Scott Boland dismissed Josh Tongue, concluding the tourists’ innings at 352.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who took three wickets on day four of the third Test, suffered a hamstring injury and is now doubtful for the remainder of the series.
Earlier in the match, Cummins and Lyon led the bowling attack on Day 4, reducing England to 207/6 in their chase for 435 runs. By the final day, the visitors needed 228 runs to win, while the hosts required only four wickets to secure the series victory.
Starc stood out as the key bowler, clinching three tailender wickets with figures of 3/62 in the second innings. Boland delivered the match-winning moment by forcing England’s No. 11, Josh Tongue, to edge the ball to first slip, where Marnus Labuschagne took a remarkable catch, marking his fourth grab of the game. Carse remained not out at 39, but his efforts came up short.
Australia showcased their dominance on day two, establishing an 85-run lead by dismissing England for 286 runs. Travis Head’s outstanding innings of 170 and Alex Carey’s first innings score of 72 contributed to Australia’s second innings total of 349, providing the hosts just over five sessions to bowl out England.
Lyon struck early on Saturday, taking three quick wickets and reducing England to just 17 runs, nearly sealing the match then and there. However, England managed to reach 177-3, keeping alive their hopes for a remarkable outcome in the Christmas Test.
Australia aims for a whitewash of England when they meet in the fourth and Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, commencing on December 2, followed by the fifth and final Test starting on January 4 at the SCG.
Brief scores: Australia 371 (Alex Carey 106, Usman Khawaja 82; Jofra Archer 5-53) & 349 (Travis Head 170, Alex Carey 72; Josh Tongue 4-70) beat England 286 (Ben Stokes 83, Jofra Archer 51; Scott Boland 3-45, Pat Cummins 3-69) & 352 (Zak Crawley 85, Jamie Smith 60; Pat Cummins 3-48, Mitchell Starc 3-62) by 82 runs.