Australia have retained the Ashes after a gripping 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 series lead with two matches still to play.
England's Valiant Chase Falls Short
Beginning the day on 126 for 4, still needing a record 309 runs to win, England showed immense grit. Will Jacks (47) and Jamie Smith (60) provided stubborn resistance, chipping away at the target and forcing Australia to work hard for their breakthroughs. Their efforts, supported by a vocal England contingent on the hill, kept hopes alive well into the final session.
However, the loss of Nathan Lyon to a hamstring injury did not derail the Australian attack. The pivotal moment came when Smith, having struck four consecutive boundaries, miscued a pull shot off Mitchell Starc straight to Pat Cummins. The dismissal effectively ended England's realistic chances of a miraculous chase.
Starc Steps Up to Deliver the Final Blows
Despite a relatively quiet match with the ball until the final day, Mitchell Starc proved decisive once again. The left-arm quick removed the dangerous Smith after lunch, before clean bowling Will Jacks and Jofra Archer in quick succession. His triple-strike shattered England's lower-order resistance and set the stage for the finale.
Scott Boland fittingly claimed the final wicket, with Josh Tongue edging to Marnus Labuschagne in the slips at 2.13pm local time. Labuschagne held two superb catches in the cordon to underline Australia's superior fielding under pressure.
A Historic and Swift Series Victory
The victory sees Pat Cummins equal the achievement of Steve Waugh's legendary sides by securing the Ashes in just 11 days of play. It marks a comprehensive triumph for Australia, who overcame the pre-series optimism surrounding England's pace attack and key absences within their own squad.
For England, the dream of a historic Ashes win in Australia lies in ruins. They now face two dead-rubber Tests over the Christmas period, playing only for pride and vital World Test Championship points. The result confirms Australia's dominance on home soil and retains the precious urn for another series.
