Australia confirmed their dominance in the Ashes with a dramatic victory in Adelaide, defeating England by 82 runs on the fifth day to lock in an unbeatable 3-0 series advantage. The result ensured the urn remains firmly in Australian hands, but the final act was anything but routine.
Day 5 began under gloomy skies, with rain interruptions delaying play and raising fresh concerns for the hosts when veteran spinner Nathan Lyon was forced off the field after suffering a hamstring injury. For a brief moment, momentum threatened to swing. England, chasing a daunting 435, refused to fold quietly.
Will Jacks and Brydon Carse combined for a determined eighth-wicket partnership that injected belief into the English camp. Their resistance trimmed the target
to double figures with time still available, momentarily unsettling an Australian side that had controlled most of the Test.
That optimism, however, was short-lived. Captain Pat Cummins turned to Mitchell Starc, and the left-arm quick delivered a moment of magic. A sharp delivery found the edge of Jacks' bat, and Marnus Labuschagne - once again alert in the slips - completed a stunning catch that shifted the contest decisively back Australia's way. The Adelaide Oval erupted as England's hopes began to unravel.
Starc smelled blood. He quickly dismantled the lower order, dismissing Jofra Archer with pace and precision to expose the tail. Scott Boland then stepped in to finish the job, as England were bowled out for 352. Appropriately, Labuschagne played a role once more in the final dismissal, capping off a memorable performance in the field.
Australia's victory was built on more than just one spell. Their discipline with the ball, depth in the attack and relentless intensity in the field proved too much for England over the course of the match. Labuschagne's catching brilliance stood out as a defining factor, repeatedly halting England's attempts at revival.
With the Ashes secured and the series effectively decided, Australia march forward with confidence, while England are left to regroup and reflect after another sobering chapter in their Ashes campaign.
