Australia Clinch Series with 82-Run Win in Adelaide

England’s hopes of a historic Ashes victory in Australia were crushed as Australia defeated the tourists by 82 runs on the fifth day of the third Test at the Adelaide Oval, taking a 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

England now face the prospect of a 5-0 series whitewash, extending their winless streak in Australia to 18 matches and leaving fans questioning the futures of captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum, and director of cricket Rob Key.

Third Test, Adelaide Oval (Day Five)

• Australia: 371 & 349
• England: 286 & 352
• Key performances: Carey 106; Head 170; Archer 5-53; Tongue 4-70; Stokes 83; Crawley 85; Boland 3-45; Cummins 3-48

---

England’s Struggles Highlight Bazball Limitations

The much-discussed Bazball approach has been exposed under pressure in Australia. Despite improvements in Adelaide, England made costly errors, including:

• Dropping Usman Khawaja on the first morning
• Poor shot selection by Ollie Pope and Harry Brook
• Limited preparation and disdain for warm-up matches
• Absence of a specialist spinner

Captain Ben Stokes admitted this tour was intended to “create history,” but Australia’s hard-nosed, precise cricket proved overwhelming.

---

Key Moments of the Third Test

• Jamie Smith scored 60 before being caught off Mitchell Starc
• Will Jacks made 47, only to edge to Marnus Labuschagne for a brilliant catch
• Josh Tongue was dismissed cheaply, ending England’s innings at 352
• Rain delays and a hamstring injury to spinner Nathan Lyon added to England’s challenges

Australia’s Travis Head, promoted to open, delivered a match-winning century, while Josh Starc’s lethal bowling dominated the first two Tests.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey impressed with some of the finest glovework seen in a single series, and Pat Cummins, returning from a back injury, led Australia superbly in Adelaide.

---

The Path Ahead for England

England now move to Melbourne and Sydney for the remaining Tests, needing results to avoid the humiliation of a 5-0 series sweep.

• Jacob Bethell, 22, remains England’s only reserve batter capable of stepping in
• Shoaib Bashir is expected to be the first-choice spinner
• Matthew Potts and Matthew Fisher have yet to play this series

Historically, Ashes defeats in Australia often trigger major changes in England’s cricket regime, and scrutiny over Stokes, McCullum, and Key is intensifying.

---

Australia’s Dominance Continues

Despite injuries and concerns about squad age, Australia’s performance has been clinical:

• Pat Cummins led a strong bowling attack despite limited preparation
• Carey and Head delivered match-winning contributions
• Starc dominated, stepping up in Hazlewood’s absence

Australia now look to join the few teams to have inflicted 5-0 sweeps on England, while England must wait until the 2027 home series to try winning back the Ashes.