Series Result Australia lead 3–0 (Ashes Retained)
Match Scoreline AUS 371 & 349 | ENG 286 & 352
Final Result Australia won by 82 runs
Australia have decisively retained the Ashes after clinching victory in the third Test in Adelaide by 82 runs, sealing a 3–0 series advantage. This result leaves England still seeking their first series win Down Under since 2010–11, marking over a decade of frustration for the visitors.
The Hope and the Resistance
The tourists entered the final day at the Adelaide Oval with faint hope of achieving a historic fourth-innings chase. Set a formidable 435 to win, England rallied early on the fifth day, with Will Jacks and Jamie Smith offering a period of gritty lower-order resistance that briefly raised hopes. However, the quality of the Australian bowling attack eventually extinguished those ambitions. Mitchell Starc emerged as a key figure, claiming three crucial wickets late in the match to halt England’s progress, while veteran quick Scott Boland sealed the contest.
Head’s Masterclass and Cummins’ Leadership
Australia’s dominance was underpinned by a commanding 170 from Travis Head. Playing on home soil, Head’s innings highlighted the gulf in batting strength between the two sides. Captain Pat Cummins received praise for keeping the Australian side focused and disciplined, despite navigating earlier injuries and personnel changes.
“It Hurts and Sucks”
For England, the defeat marked another challenging chapter on Australian soil. Captain Ben Stokes candidly admitted that the end of the Ashes dream “hurts and sucks” for the squad. Despite mounting pressure, head coach Brendon McCullum defended the team’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, dismissing external criticism as “white noise” and insisting that England would maintain their attacking style in the remaining two Tests.
Match Statistics
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Series Result | Australia lead 3–0 (Ashes Retained) |
| Third Test Result | Australia won by 82 runs |
| Fourth-Innings Target | 435 (England all out for 352) |
| Top Scorer | Travis Head – 170 runs |
| Key Bowler | Mitchell Starc – 3 second-innings wickets |
| Historical Note | Over a decade since England last held the Ashes urn |
