Australia retain the urn after just 11 days as England falter again as there is no Christmas miracle for the visitors.
No Christmas miracle for England as Australia make it 3-0 to retain the Ashes in 11 days.
They surged once more in the third Test, but there was to be no Christmas miracle. On just the eleventh day of the series, Australia maintained their composure and their catches to secure the 2025–26 Ashes with their third consecutive victory, despite a valiant effort by England’s lower order that dragged an already hopeless situation well into the afternoon session of the last day.
Scott Boland produced the game-winning moment by forcing England’s No. 11 Josh Tongue to give Marnus Labuschagne a thick edge at first slip. Labuschagne swallowed his fourth take in an incredible performance in the field.
Brydon Carse was left high and dry on 39 not out as a result. His efforts, together with valiant but ultimately unsuccessful knocks of 60 and 47 from Jamie Smith and Will Jacks, had given England real hope that their performances at other crucial points in the Test and the series had just not merited.
A appropriate reminder of one of the main distinctions between the two teams was provided by Labuschagne’s efforts, which included his second one-handed screamer of the game, this time to pry out Jacks at first slip. Usman Khawaja had scored the exact identical score on the opening day of the match—82 runs—after being dropped by Harry Brook on 5.
However, hope was undoubtedly there in England until it was ultimately extinguished—and by a well-known adversary.
Mitchell Starc would not win Player-of-the-Match for the first time in the series, but his claim to the Compton-Miller Medal is now uncontested. Starc took the first three of the last four wickets that were needed. Even though England had their hardest day’s work of the series, the finish was always near because to his left-arm angles, command of seam and swing, and ability to wring unusual life from an unthreatening Adelaide surface once armed with the harder new ball.
Soon after the resumption, Jacks raised the fifty stand, but it wasn’t until later in the morning that the most significant event occurred. At fine leg, Lyon bravely dove to stop a Jacks draw, but he was clearly uncomfortable as he struggled back to his feet. His involvement in the series, similar to his torn calf at Lord’s in 2023, seemed to have ended abruptly as the physiotherapist came out to help him return to the dressing room as it became immediately clear that he had injured his right hamstring.
That was England’s signal to accelerate. Smith hit three consecutive fours off the part-time spin of Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne as the new ball approached. After a few sighs as Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins returned to the attack, Smith concluded that the new ball also had to move.
With two consecutive boundaries off each player and a straight-batted smash past long-off against Cummins to reach his first fifty of the series, Smith racked up four outstanding, powerful boundaries. However, Smith tried one huge shot too many—a crazy pick-up across the line off Starc—just as it appeared he had put Australia back on their heels.
It was almost over. Even Carey, Player of the Match for an unparalleled effort in front and behind the stumps, suffered a rare imperfection when Archer snicked one into his elbow. Carse was dropped by Green at second slip, positioning so close to guarantee every half-chance carried.
But it didn’t matter. For a No. 10/11, Archer has been one of England’s hitters of the series thus far, which is a devastating reflection of their efforts. However, he was unable to be the hero this time. Eight balls later, Australia’s fourth consecutive home Ashes was secured, and once again at the earliest chance, thanks to a slashing cut at Starc that picked out deep point.