England’s Ashes hopes are over as Australia defeated them in Adelaide in 3rd Test. Australia claimed this victory just after 11 days of cricket. With this win, Australia now retains the Ashes with an unsailable 3-0 lead as part of the five-match series in Adelaide.
This was one of the closest matches in this series. In the fourth innings, England were chasing a daunting 435 to try and keep the series alive for another game. However, they fell short of the target and were bowled out for 352.
On the fifth day, England began the day with 207 for 6, with the hopes of the team resting on the shoulders of Jamie Smith and Will Jacks. Initially, they were troubled by Cameron Green, but Smith decided to go on the offensive and slog-swept Lyon and Lyon for a couple of sixes. After a few overs, Lyon had to leave the field with an issue in his right hamstring.
Once they reached the 80-over mark, Australia took the second new ball immediately. Smith welcomed the new ball by hitting two successive fours off Cummins and brought up his fifty. He fell at 60 after completing a partnership of 90 with Jacks.
After Smith’s wicket, England couldn’t manage to build a big partnership, and wickets fell after regular intervals. Starc, Cummins, and Lyon finished the game with three wickets each.
England had high hopes for their captain, Ben Stokes, before the start of the series. However, his dismal returns in this series mean they have to wait to regain the Ashes. After a two-year hiatus, the series will return to England.
Australia’s victory was set up by Alex Carey, Usman Khawaja, and Starc with their batting in the first innings. These three helped Australia recover from 94 for 4 to post a staggering 371.