England has secured the Ashes with two matches left, a triumph that turned the tide of a series dominated by a struggling Australian side.
The victory came after England’s dominant performance in the third Test at Adelaide, where they chased 435 to win by 82 runs, completing a 3-0 series sweep.
Long-time England bowler Stuart Broad, a 167-test veteran, had earlier described the Australian squad as the worst the country has fielded in 15 years, a claim that now feels prophetic given England’s 16-loss, two-draw, no-win streak on Australian soil.
Marnus Labuschagne, the Australian captain, made a spectacular catch that helped seal the win and later reflected on Broad’s remarks, saying, “Have to say, being called the worst Australian team in 15 years… like it’s nice to be sitting where we are, 3-0 up,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. “The job’s not done yet. We want to make sure it’s 5-0 and really take that urn.”
England’s journey to the Ashes title spanned 11 days, with two days in Perth, four in Brisbane, and almost five in Adelaide-a schedule that, while not a record, was close to one.
Australia’s pace attack was disrupted by injuries, with skipper Pat Cummins missing the first two Tests and Josh Hazlewood ruled out for the series, leaving Mitchell Starc as the sole regular pace bowler for the opening matches.
Starc delivered two man-of-the-match performances and claimed 22 wickets in the series, 51 for the calendar year, and said, “We just found a way, which I think is a feature of this group over a number of years now,” Starc said. “Even at times where it’s not going our way, we can find a way to get ourselves over the line.”
The batting lineup saw uncertainty over the opening and No. 3 positions; Steve Smith filled the role in Cummins’ absence in Perth and Brisbane but was ruled out of the third Test due to vertigo.
Usman Khawaja returned to the side to replace Smith, while Travis Head was promoted from No. 5 to open after Khawaja’s back injury, and he responded with a match-winning century in the first Test.
Cummins, speaking after the series, praised the Australian players’ resilience, noting, “You just kind of crack on.” He added that the team’s attitude-“Even though I missed the first couple of games, Steve stepped right in. It was smooth, seamless.”
Cummins continued, “And there’s always things that crop up … but the boys go, ‘OK, that’s happened, let’s crack on, what’s next?’ That’s one of the big reasons why we’ve had success over the last couple of years.”
The fourth Test will begin on Boxing Day in Melbourne, with Cummins and offspinner Nathan Lyon unlikely to play, testing the Australian side’s depth once more.
Head’s century, 170 in the second innings at Adelaide, was a highlight of the series, and in a post-match TV interview he described being part of the team as, “Yeah, it’s bloody amazing.”
The third Test attracted a total crowd of 223,638, with the Barmy Army vocal supporters filling the Adelaide Oval and adding to the atmosphere of a record-chasing fourth innings.
England’s 3-0 lead positioned them to chase a 5-0 series sweep, a feat that would cement their dominance over the historic rivalry.
The win underscores the resilience of the England squad, which had to overcome a patched-up Australian side and still achieve a decisive series victory.
Key Takeaways
- England clinched the Ashes with a 3-0 series win and is poised for a 5-0 sweep.
- Mitchell Starc delivered 22 wickets, showcasing his pivotal role.
- The series spanned 11 days, with a record crowd of 223,638 at the final Test.
In the end, England’s triumph over a weakened Australian side not only secured the Ashes but also highlighted the importance of adaptability, resilience, and teamwork in the world’s oldest Test rivalry.
