Australia tightened their grip on the Ashes 2025–26 with a dominant 142-run victory over England in the 3rd Test at Adelaide, surging to a 3–0 lead in the five-match series and leaving the visitors staring at the prospect of another heavy series defeat Down Under. The result underlined the gulf between the two sides — in execution, adaptability, and resilience under pressure.
Set a challenging fourth-innings target on a wearing Adelaide surface, England never seriously threatened to pull off a miracle chase. While there were brief moments of resistance, Australia’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, exploiting variable bounce and movement to dismantle the batting lineup. The final margin of 142 runs flattered England slightly; for large parts, Australia looked capable of wrapping things up even sooner.
The foundation of the win was laid earlier in the match by Australia’s superior first-innings effort. Once again, the hosts showed why Adelaide remains a fortress. Their batters absorbed pressure, built partnerships, and capitalised when England’s bowlers tired. Crucially, Australia avoided collapses — something that has plagued England throughout the series. That discipline allowed the hosts to control the tempo of the game from Day 1 onward.
England’s problems were familiar and recurring. Top-order fragility meant they were constantly playing catch-up, and despite flashes of intent, the much-debated aggressive approach failed to deliver under sustained pressure. Shot selection, particularly against the moving ball, continued to let England down. The result was another Test where they were forced to defend rather than dictate terms.
Australia, by contrast, were clinical. Their bowling attack worked as a unit — attacking early, squeezing in the middle overs, and striking decisively whenever England hinted at a fightback. The pace bowlers exploited conditions intelligently, while the support cast ensured there were no easy overs. It was disciplined, methodical Test cricket — the kind that wins series, not just sessions.
The 3–0 scoreline now tells a brutal story. England are no longer fighting to win the Ashes; they are fighting to salvage pride. With two Tests remaining, the best they can hope for is avoiding a whitewash. Australia, meanwhile, can afford to rotate, experiment, or push harder — the psychological edge is firmly theirs.
This Test also reinforced a broader narrative around the series. Australia have adapted better to conditions, managed workloads smarter, and shown greater patience. England’s bold philosophy has produced moments of excitement, but across three Tests it has repeatedly cracked under sustained pressure. In Australia, fundamentals still matter — and England have paid the price for neglecting them.
For the home side, the win all but confirms Ashes retention with games to spare. It also strengthens their dominance at home, where they continue to dictate terms against even the most confident touring sides. The depth in Australia’s squad, particularly in bowling, has been a decisive factor.
As the series moves forward, the question is no longer whether Australia are the better team — that has been emphatically answered. The real question is how England respond. Do they double down on their approach, or recalibrate to avoid further damage? With confidence low and pressure mounting, the final two Tests will reveal whether England can at least fight back — or whether Australia complete one of the most one-sided Ashes series in recent memory.
12BET Shortlisted for Sportsbook Operator of the Year at SBC Awards 2025