Adelaide holds its breath, then erupts as Ashes stay home

Australia retained the Ashes with two Tests still to play after holding their nerve to beat England by 82 runs in a tense finish to the third Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc produced the decisive spell on the final day, taking three of the last four wickets to snuff out England’s spirited resistance and hand Australia an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing an improbable 435 for victory, a target that would have required a world-record fourth-innings chase England began Day 5 on 207 for six, still 228 runs adrift. Australia needed four wickets to retain the urn, but were made to work hard as England’s lower order battled stubbornly and briefly threatened another famous escape act.

“It feels pretty awesome,” Australia captain Pat Cummins said after the win. “We got it done. It was a good old-fashioned grind and the boys stuck at it.” Australia have retained the Ashes 18 times.

Cummins, who returned to lead the side after missing the first two Tests with a back issue, watched England chip away at the deficit through the morning session. Starc struck once before lunch, removing Jamie Smith for a fighting 60 as England added 102 runs and kept hopes alive. By the interval, Australia still needed three wickets, while England required 126 runs to pull off a miracle and keep the series alive.

England captain Ben Stokes later admitted he sensed an opportunity. “It felt like we were on for another heist,” he said, reflecting the belief in the visitors’ camp as pressure mounted on the hosts.

The task grew tougher for Australia when veteran spinner Nathan Lyon was forced off the field with a right hamstring injury while diving to save a boundary. With Lyon ruled out for the remainder of the match, the responsibility fell squarely on the pace attack and Starc delivered.

The left-armer broke the resistance by dismissing Will Jacks for 47, who fell to a stunning diving catch by Marnus Labuschagne at slip. Starc then accounted for Jofra Archer soon after, swinging momentum firmly back Australia’s way. Scott Boland cleaned up the tail, removing Josh Tongue and leaving Brydon Carse stranded on 39 as England were bowled out for 352.

Starc’s contribution capped another influential Test for the fast bowler, who has been a standout performer throughout the series. His late burst ensured that England’s defiance did not turn into history.

Earlier in the match, Australia laid the foundation through strong batting performances. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey was named player of the match after a memorable game at his home ground. Carey struck a crucial century in the first innings, followed by a half-century in the second, and was involved in a decisive 162-run partnership with Travis Head, who top-scored with a commanding 170. Carey also impressed behind the stumps, completing seven dismissals over the course of the Test.

Despite the disappointment, Stokes said he took positives from England’s resilience. “This is going to hurt quite a bit,” he said. “But we’ve got two more Tests to go and that’s where the focus has to be now.”

The defeat underlined England’s prolonged struggles in Australia. It has now been more than 5,400 days since England last won a Test Down Under, back in January 2011. Since then, Australia have dominated at home, and this series has followed the same pattern.

The fourth Test begins on Boxing Day in Melbourne on December 26, with the final Test scheduled for Sydney in the New Year. While the Ashes are already decided, pride and momentum will still be at stake as the rivals prepare to play out the remaining matches.

Scoreboard:

Australia 1st innings: 371-10

England 1st innings: 286-10

Australia 2nd innings: 349-10

England 2nd innings:352-10

Result: Australia won by 82 runs

Series: Australia lead 3–0 and retain the Ashes

Player of the Match: Alex Carey