Australia retained the Ashes in ruthless fashion, crushing England’s hopes with an 82-run victory in the third Test to race to a 3-0 series lead inside just 11 days. A brave, defiant lower-order fight from England dragged the contest into the afternoon of the final day, but composure, catching excellence, and relentless pressure ensured there would be no festive escape for the visitors.
The decisive moment came when Scott Boland found a thick edge from No.11 Josh Tongue, safely pouched by Marnus Labuschagne at first slip. It was his fourth catch of a sensational match in the field, and one that finally extinguished England’s flickering hopes, leaving Brydon Carse stranded on 39 not out after a valiant stand that briefly hinted at the improbable.
That England were even within sight of victory was testament to their fight on the final day. Jamie Smith’s counterattacking 60, Will Jacks’ resolute 47, and Carse’s composure forced Australia to dig deep. But once again, England were undone not by effort, but by moments, moments they failed to seize and Australia ruthlessly punished.
Those moments had arrived far earlier in the Test. Harry Brook’s dropped catches of Usman Khawaja on 5 and Travis Head on 99 proved terminal. Khawaja’s 82 set the platform, while Head’s sublime 170, followed by a further 71 after his reprieve, was the innings that broke England’s spirit and tilted the series beyond retrieval.
If there had been one lingering hope on the final morning, it rested on England’s ability to survive until the second new ball. They did more than that. Smith and Jacks chipped away with intent, Smith launching spin and seam alike over the leg side, dragging the target below 200 and briefly unsettling the Australians.
Then came a cruel twist. Nathan Lyon, sprinting to intercept a pull shot, clutched his hamstring and limped off, his series seemingly over. England sensed vulnerability and pressed harder, Smith hammering boundaries off Cummins and Starc to bring up his first fifty of the series.
But Ashes history has a habit of repeating itself.
Smith’s ambition betrayed him. A wild swipe across the line off Mitchell Starc was calmly accepted by Pat Cummins at mid-on. Another opening slammed shut. Another chance gone.
From there, Australia tightened the screws. Starc, with the new ball, was devastating, swinging it late, hitting the splice, and dragging Australia to the brink. Three wickets fell to him, and with Lyon sidelined, the left-armer shouldered the responsibility of finishing the job.
England clung on. Carse was reprieved by a marginal lbw decision. He responded with a towering six and a flick through fine leg that briefly raised belief. But belief alone wasn’t enough. A wobble-seam delivery from Starc kissed the edge, and Labuschagne produced another one-handed stunner, underlining the gulf between the sides in execution and nerve.
Even then, Australia were made to work. Chances went down. Alex Carey fumbled a rare opportunity. Cameron Green spilled one at second slip. But England’s resistance finally cracked when Jofra Archer slashed to deep point, and moments later, Boland delivered the final blow.
Australia celebrated their fourth consecutive home Ashes series victory, sealed at the earliest possible moment. England were left to reflect on a series defined not by lack of effort, but by lapses in skill, composure, and ruthlessness at decisive junctures.
For Australia, this was dominance with clarity, Head’s brilliance, Carey’s all-round excellence, Starc’s authority, and Labuschagne’s fielding setting the standard. For England, it was another reminder that in Ashes cricket, courage must be matched by precision.
There was fight.
There was heart.
But there was no miracle.
And once again, the Ashes remain firmly in Australian hands.
Ashes 3rd Test – Scorecard:
- Australia: 371 & 349
- England: 286 & 352
Australia won by 82 runs.
Series: Australia leads 3-0 (Ashes retained).
