Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon shared nine wickets to script Australia’s 82-run victory over England in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval, handing the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series.
The win sealed the Ashes inside 11 days of cricket, equalling the quickest series decision in over a century and underlining Australia’s dominance on home soil.
England’s Chase Ends On The Fifth Morning
England’s slim hopes of chasing down a daunting 435-run target ended early on Day 5 as Australia cleaned up the remaining four wickets. Resuming at 207/6, the visitors were bowled out for 352, despite brief resistance from the lower order.
Mitchell Starc (3/62) struck crucial blows, while Scott Boland delivered the final moment by inducing a thick edge from Josh Tongue, safely taken by Marnus Labuschagne at first slip. Brydon Carse was left stranded on 38 not out.
Cummins Returns And Delivers
Making his return after missing the first two Tests with injury, Cummins made an immediate impact, finishing with 3/48 and leading Australia with authority on and off the field.
Feels pretty awesome. Been thinking about it for a long time. That’s when we’re at our best in Australia, you can’t rush things. It’s a good old-fashioned grind, and I love the toil from all the guys.
While Australia celebrated, there was concern over Cummins’ fitness ahead of the Boxing Day Test, with the skipper a doubtful starter.
Lower-Order Fight Delays The Inevitable
England briefly threatened a late twist through Jamie Smith, Will Jacks and Brydon Carse. Smith top-scored with 60, while Jacks added 47, lifting hopes of another Adelaide escape act. But disciplined bowling and sharp fielding ensured Australia never lost control. England captain Ben Stokes admitted the end of his Ashes ambitions this series.
That dream is now over, which is incredibly disappointing. It hurts, it sucks, but we aren’t going to stop. Australia have executed better than us.
Lyon Injury Clouds Celebrations
Australia’s joy was tempered by injury concerns, with Nathan Lyon, who took 3/77 in the match, ruled out with a hamstring issue and doubtful for the remainder of the series. Earlier, Lyon’s three quick wickets late on Day 4 had pushed Australia to the brink, reducing England to 207/6 and setting up the decisive final morning.
Australia’s control was established on Day 2, when they took an 85-run first-innings lead after bowling England out for 286. Travis Head’s blistering 170 and Alex Carey’s 72 powered Australia to 349 in the second innings, leaving England over five sessions to chase an imposing total.
Australia now turn their attention to Melbourne, where they will look to complete a series whitewash in the Boxing Day Test starting December 26.
Brief Scores: Australia: 371 & 349 England: 286 & 352 all out (102.5 overs) (Zak Crawley 85, Jamie Smith 60; Pat Cummins 3–48, Mitchell Starc 3–62) Australia won by 82 runs and lead the series 3–0.
