Table of Contents
Australia have retained the Ashes after defeating England by 82 runs in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval, racing to an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The victory capped a dominant stretch for the hosts, who wrapped up the contest on the final day despite determined resistance from England’s lower order.
Chasing a daunting 435, England were dismissed for 352, falling short after briefly threatening to extend the match deeper into the afternoon. The result sparked celebrations among the home side and underlined Australia’s authority throughout the series so far.
England show fight but fall short on final day in Adelaide
England began Day 5 with faint hopes and responded with commendable grit. Jamie Smith, Will Jacks and Brydon Carse stitched together valuable runs to keep Australia waiting, frustrating the bowlers with disciplined defence and timely counterattacks.
However, the task remained steep against a relentless Australian attack. Just as England threatened to narrow the gap, wickets arrived at regular intervals, preventing any genuine late surge. The chase ultimately ran out of momentum, ending England’s hopes of salvaging the Test.
Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland finish the job for Australia
Australia’s bowlers held their nerve on the final day. Mitchell Starc struck three times, using pace and angle to break key partnerships, while Scott Boland delivered the final blow to end England’s resistance and seal the match.
The disciplined bowling effort ensured Australia maintained control despite England’s stubborn stand, closing out a win that reflected their superiority across all five days in Adelaide.
The groundwork for Australia’s triumph was laid earlier in the Test through a powerful batting display in the second innings. Travis Head’s commanding 170 anchored the innings, while Alex Carey’s fluent 72 provided crucial middle-order support.
Their contributions pushed Australia to a position of dominance and set England an imposing fourth-innings target that proved beyond reach. The pair’s efforts were central to shaping the match and applying sustained pressure on the visitors.
Australia retain the Ashes in just 11 days
The Adelaide victory followed eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane, meaning Australia wrapped up Ashes retention in just 11 days of cricket – one of the fastest series clinches in nearly a century.
With two Tests still to play, Australia have already secured the urn, highlighting the gulf between the sides over the opening three matches.
Also WATCH: Nathan Lyon rattles Ben Stokes’ off stump with a beauty on Day 4 of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide
Here are the reactions of fans:
Goodbye Bazball 👋🏻
— Lachy (@Lachy_Steele)
Australia retain the Ashes 🏆
— Adelaide Oval (@TheAdelaideOval)
Quickest Ashes victories (5+ match series)
8 days – aus 1921
11 DAYS – AUS 2025/26
11 days – aus 2002/03
11 days – aus 2001
— Swamp (@sirswampthing)
Australia have gone 3-0 and they've retained the Ashes
It's staying put where it should be
You bloody beauty
Let's gooooooooooooo
💚💛💚💛🇦🇺🦘
— JAKE FLAGPIES23 🏆🖤🤍 (@IncrediblyBozza)
A match-winning performance from Alex Carey: 106 & 72 ✨
— bet88visa.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Bazball is officially dead. England's playing Tests like T20s, no control from players. It works against weak sides/bowling, but crumbles vs stronger squads. From 3rd Test, they switched to normal if they'd done it in start, series might've turned out different.
— Anurag Bhattarai (@Anurag_Bhttri19)
Wicketkeepers clinching POTM honors in :
– Ian Healy – Trent Bridge, 1997
– Adam Gilchrist – Edgbaston, 2001
– Alex Carey – Adelaide Oval, 2025— Arshy (@imArshit)
Worst Aussie team in a decade? Yet they’ve sealed the Ashes in just over 10 days. Ruthless dominance! 💥🇦🇺
— tillu badmas 💀 (@SiddharthKaura2)
We can laugh at Bazball all we like, but chasing 435 in Adelaide and finishing 352 all out is not nothing. England were 82 runs short of a miracle Ashes chase. Give those batters a bit more game awareness and this exact style was close to stealing it.
— Wallflower (@mariyatresa)
🚨ENGLAND IN THE LAST 18 TESTS IN AUSTRALIA:🚨
Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Draw, Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Draw, Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost.
— urstruly (@VikashChou70911)
This was a very good movie, I rated it 5/5 👌
— JAKE FLAGPIES23 🏆🖤🤍 (@IncrediblyBozza)
I just remembered Starc was on two warnings for running on the pitch and another one would have seen him banned from bowling for the rest of the innings. Just as well that didn’t happen as he took 3 wickets today and we would have been 2 bowlers down.
— Rory Burnside (@RoryBurnside)
Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction – Josh Inglis faces Punjab Kings owner’s wrath over unprofessionalism claims
