Australia Clinch the Ashes with 3rd test win & 2 tests to spare after some English resistance

 

As expected, Australia have once again claimed the Ashes—this time with two Tests still remaining. In one of the world’s most high-profile Test rivalries, the hosts cruised to victories in all three of the opening matches, underlining their complete dominance. England, it must be said, failed to produce the kind of sustained contest traditionally associated with an Ashes series, with the lone exception being a spirited final-innings fightback in the third Test—though even that proved insufficient to avert defeat.

In the third Test at Adelaide, Australia laid the foundation with a commanding first-innings total of 371, powered by a magnificent century from Alex Carey. England responded with 286, with captain Ben Stokes leading from the front with a gritty 83 in an attempt to keep his side in touch. Australia began their second innings with an 85-run lead and then tightened their grip decisively. Travis Head produced a record-breaking century as the hosts piled on 349 runs, extending their overall lead to a daunting 434.

Chasing an almost impossible target of 435, England showed far greater resolve than in the previous two Tests. By the end of day four, they were 207 for 6, still needing 228 runs for an improbable victory. On the final day, England’s lower order mounted a brave resistance, adding 146 runs for the last four wickets. Jamie Smith struck a fighting half-century, eventually dismissed for 60 when he was bating beautifully having just hit a few boundaries , while a patient Will Jacks (47) and Brydon Carse (39) played with admirable courage. For a brief period, English supporters dared to dream of the extraordinary. However, once Jacks and Archer fell in quick succession, those hopes were extinguished.

England were eventually bowled out for 352, losing by 82 runs. While defeat was inevitable, this performance was far more competitive than the one-sided losses suffered in the first two Tests. Australia’s bowlers once again delivered under pressure, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon sharing the spoils—each claiming three wickets.

Having already won the first Test in Perth and the second in Brisbane, Australia entered Adelaide with a 2–0 series lead. The comprehensive victory in the third Test extended that advantage to an unassailable 3–0, ensuring that the Ashes trophy remains firmly in Australian hands. With two matches still to play, the series has already been decided—an emphatic statement of Australia’s supremacy.