Australia crushed England’s Ashes dreams by securing an 82-run victory in the third Test at Adelaide Oval, retaining the famous urn after just 11 days of cricket and leaving the tourists devastated.
Scott Boland dismissed Josh Tongue in the second session of day five to complete Australia’s dominant performance, ensuring the hosts maintained their grip on cricket’s most coveted prize with two Tests remaining.
“It feels pretty awesome,” declared Australia captain Pat Cummins after his team’s comprehensive triumph. “It wasn’t easy today, but we got it done. It’s an excited changing room.”
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The victory marks another emphatic statement from Australia, who dismissed England for 352 whilst chasing an imposing target of 435 runs. No team has successfully chased more than 418 runs in Test cricket history, making England’s task virtually impossible from the outset.
England captain Ben Stokes expressed his team’s anguish following the crushing defeat. “That dream is now over, which is incredibly disappointing,” Stokes admitted.
The tourists entered the match requiring victory to keep the five-match series alive after suffering eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane. Despite showing greater resistance than in previous matches, England’s “Bazball” ultra-attacking approach proved inadequate against Australia’s relentless bowling attack.
England’s capitulation is their fourth consecutive Ashes series defeat in Australia, extending their winless streak to 18 Tests since their last series victory in 2010-11. Previous tours yielded devastating scorelines of 5-0, 4-0, and 4-0, with similar humiliation looming unless England dramatically reverse their fortunes.
The match took a significant turn when spin wizard Nathan Lyon suffered a hamstring injury whilst attempting to prevent a boundary, forcing him from the field on crutches. Scans later revealed the extent of his injury, casting doubt over his participation in the remaining Tests.
England resumed day five on 207-6 with Will Jacks and Jamie Smith at the crease. Smith initially showed aggressive intent, slog-sweeping Lyon for six before targeting Cameron Green, prompting the Barmy Army supporters to sing Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
Rain briefly interrupted proceedings, but Australia’s bowlers maintained their stranglehold upon the resumption. Mitchell Starc claimed the new ball and immediately struck, dismissing Smith who skied a catch to Cummins at midwicket.
Jacks compiled his highest test score of 47, steering England’s chase below 100 runs required. However, Marnus Labuschagne produced a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Jacks off Starc’s bowling, effectively ending England’s resistance.
Starc struck again to remove Jofra Archer before Boland delivered the final blow, removing Tongue to spark jubilant Australian celebrations and condemn England to another Ashes heartbreak.
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