Ask Onix
Australia seal Ashes retention with dominant Adelaide win
Australia clinched the Ashes series on Sunday, defeating England by 82 runs on the final day of the third Test in Adelaide to take an unassailable 3-0 lead. The victory extends England's winless streak in Australia to 18 matches and 14 years.
England's collapse dashes Bazball revival hopes
England entered the fifth day needing 228 runs to achieve the highest successful chase in Test history, but their resistance crumbled under Australia's relentless pressure. Jamie Smith top-scored with 60 before falling to Mitchell Starc, while Will Jacks fought to 47 before edging the same bowler to a stunning one-handed catch by Marnus Labuschagne at slip.
The tourists were eventually bowled out for 352, with Josh Tongue's dismissal sealing the 82-run defeat. The loss leaves England facing the prospect of a 5-0 whitewash, a humiliation not suffered since 2006-07.
Leadership and strategy under scrutiny
The defeat has plunged England's management into crisis, with captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum, and director of cricket Rob Key facing mounting pressure. Stokes had framed the tour as a chance to "create history," while McCullum claimed the Ashes could "define" the team. Instead, England's Bazball approach has been exposed by Australia's disciplined and ruthless cricket.
"This tour will be remembered for showing disdain to warm-up matches, a holiday in Noosa, and talk of 'weak men' in the dressing room,"
Analysts
Key, who holds significant influence over Stokes and McCullum's futures, is reportedly under the most scrutiny. Both men are contracted until the 2027 Ashes, but the current tour's failures may force a reckoning.
Australia's resilience defies injury woes
Australia's victory is all the more remarkable given their injury struggles. Captain Pat Cummins missed the first two Tests, Josh Hazlewood is sidelined for the series, and spinner Nathan Lyon was omitted from the second Test before returning in Adelaide-only to limp off with a hamstring injury on the final day.
Despite these setbacks, Australia's depth and adaptability have shone. Travis Head's match-winning century in Perth set the tone, while Alex Carey's glovework and Starc's bowling have been standout performances. Cummins, returning from a back injury, led from the front with a three-wicket haul in England's second innings.
England's selection and preparation questioned
England's struggles have been compounded by questionable decisions. The tourists opted against a specialist spinner, dropped a crucial catch of Usman Khawaja on the first morning, and saw key batters Ollie Pope and Harry Brook dismissed to poor shots. The absence of a reserve batter-with only 22-year-old Jacob Bethell, yet to score a first-class century, available-further highlights their lack of depth.
Shoaib Bashir, England's chosen spinner, has looked out of his depth, while seamers Matthew Potts and Matthew Fisher remain untested. With Pope likely to be dropped for the fourth Test in Melbourne, England's options are dwindling.
What's next: Avoiding a 5-0 whitewash
England now face the daunting task of salvaging pride in the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. A 5-0 defeat would mark their worst Ashes performance in Australia since 2006-07 and could trigger sweeping changes in leadership and personnel.
For Australia, the focus shifts to joining the elite group of teams to complete a 5-0 Ashes whitewash. Beyond that, they will eye the 2027 series in England, where they aim to secure their first away Ashes victory since 2001.
"Bazball as we knew it is in the skip-but McCullum still has a future,"
Cricket pundits
