ADELAIDE: Australia sealed the Ashes in emphatic fashion, cruising to an 82-run victory in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday to retain the urn with two matches to spare. Chasing a daunting world-record target of 435, England showed resistance on the final day but were eventually dismissed for 352, continuing their grim recent record on Australian soil.
Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc led the charge with three wickets, while Scott Boland claimed the final scalp of Josh Tongue before tea. Skipper Pat Cummins, back from a back injury and finishing with six wickets in the match, hailed his side’s composure and resilience after securing a 3-0 series lead.
“Three-nil is hugely satisfying, especially after all the talk about how evenly poised the series was meant to be,” Cummins said. “This group is amazing at just cracking on.”
Pre-series debate had centred on Australia’s ageing squad, but Starc dismissed the criticism, insisting experience had been decisive. “We do laugh at some of the comments about how old we are,” the 35-year-old said. “Experience plays a big part in handling the highs and lows.”
For England, the defeat deepened a familiar Ashes nightmare. After heavy losses in Perth and Brisbane, they have now lost 16 of their last 18 Tests in Australia and surrendered the Ashes in three matches for a fourth consecutive tour — with the disappointment of this campaign ranking among their worst despite two Tests still to play.
