Australia Retain The Ashes: ENG Sink As AUS Seal Series With Unassailable 3-0 Lead In Adelaide

Australia needed just one final push, and they delivered in style to officially retain the Ashes in Adelaide.

Mitchell Starc ripped through England’s resistance on Day 5, as Australia bowled the visitors

out for 352 to seal an 82-run win and an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

It was inevitable, but the way it unfolded was pure theatre.

The day began with rain delays and fresh concern for Australia after veteran spinner Nathan Lyon limped off with a hamstring injury. Yet even that setback couldn’t slow the hosts.

With England chasing an improbable 435, Will Jacks and Brydon Carse briefly ignited belief with a gritty eighth-wicket stand, cutting the target to under 100 with a session still to play.

Then came the turning point — again involving Marnus Labuschagne. Pat Cummins threw Starc the ball, and the left-armer produced a jaffa that kissed Jacks’ edge. Labuschagne, stationed in the cordon, plucked another jaw-dropping catch to shatter England’s hopes and send Adelaide into raptures.

From there, it was ruthless. Starc blew away Jofra Archer to expose the tail, and Scott Boland wrapped things up soon after, with Labuschagne fittingly involved once more as England’s final wicket fell.

Australia’s dominance across the Test was underlined by their discipline, depth and brilliance in the field — none more so than Labuschagne, whose catching proved decisive when it mattered most.

Ashes retained, series effectively decided, and England left searching for answers once again. Australia, meanwhile, march on — clinical, confident and very much in control.