Australia stamped their authority on the Ashes with a ruthless 82-run victory over England in the third Test, retaining the urn and racing to an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five-match series.
Set an imposing target of 435, England fought hard but were eventually bowled out for 352, once again falling short under sustained pressure from Australia’s pace attack.
Resistance, Then Collapse
England showed resolve through Jamie Smith’s fluent 60 and Will Jacks’ 47, briefly threatening to drag the contest deep. But as the final session tightened, Australia’s fast bowlers held their nerve.
Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland struck at decisive moments, exposing England’s lower order and shifting momentum irreversibly.
The defining moment arrived when Josh Tongue edged Boland to second slip, where Marnus Labuschagne completed the catch, sparking celebrations that confirmed Australia had retained the Ashes with two Tests to spare.
Carey Anchors Australia’s Control
Australia’s grip on the match was built earlier through disciplined batting across both innings, posting totals of 371 and 349. Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey played a pivotal role, contributing vital runs and maintaining control behind the stumps during key passages.
Carey’s influence across the five days earned him the Player of the Match award, a reflection of Australia’s depth and balance throughout the contest.
Pace Sets the Tone
Starc emerged as the standout bowler in England’s second innings, striking whenever momentum threatened to shift. Captain Pat Cummins complemented him with timely breakthroughs, ensuring England were never allowed to fully dictate terms.
Ashes Retained, Dominance Asserted
By sweeping the first three Tests, Australia have underlined their supremacy, winning each match convincingly and asserting control over every phase of the series.
With the Ashes secured, attention turns to the remaining Tests — an opportunity for Australia to extend their dominance further, and for England to search for pride in a series that has so far belonged entirely to the hosts.
