Australia Have retained the ashes after Defeated England by 82 runs in the third test At the Adelaide Oval, taking an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five-match series. The win confirmed the dominance of the hosts, who won the match on the final day despite determined resistance from England’s lower order.
Chasing a challenging target of 435, England were all out for 352, threatening to extend the match into the afternoon. The result sparked celebrations among the home team and underlined Australia’s dominance throughout the series so far.
England showed struggle but fell behind on the last day in Adelaide
England began the fifth day with faint expectations and responded with admirable composure. Jamie Smith, Will Jacques and Braydon Carse combined to score valuable runs to keep Australia waiting, frustrating the bowlers with disciplined defense and timely counter-attacks.
However, the challenge remained difficult in the face of a relentless Australian attack. As England threatened to reduce the gap, wickets kept coming at regular intervals, preventing any real late surge. Eventually the pace of the chase ran out, ending England’s hopes of saving the Test.
Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland completed the job for Australia
Australia’s bowlers maintained their composure on the last day. Mitchell Starc used pace and angle to strike three times to break important partnerships, while Scott Boland delivered the final blow to end England’s resistance and seal the match.
A disciplined bowling effort ensured Australia maintained control despite England’s recalcitrant approach, leading to a victory that reflected their superiority over all five days in Adelaide.
The foundation of Australia’s victory had already been laid through a strong batting performance in the second innings in the first Test. Travis Head played a brilliant inning of 170 runs, while Alex Carey played an inning of 72 runs. Provided important support to the middle order.
His contribution put Australia in a position of dominance and gave England a huge target in the fourth innings which proved beyond reach. The pair’s efforts were central in shaping the match and putting sustained pressure on the visitors.
Australia retained the Ashes in just 11 days
Adelaide’s victory followed eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane, meaning Australia retained the Ashes in just 11 days of cricket – one of the quickest series wins in almost a century.
With two Tests still left to play, Australia have already won, exposing the gap between the teams in the opening three matches.
Here are the fans’ reactions:
Goodbye Buzzball 👋🏻 #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/HbL6mmSfD7
– Lachi (@Lachi_Steele) 21 December 2025
Australia retained the Ashes 🏆#ash #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/U0Am9pVVEW
– Adelaide Oval (@TheAdelaideOval) 21 December 2025
Fastest Ashes win (5+ match series)
8 days – Australia 1921
Day 11 – Australia 2025/26
11 days – Australia 2002/03
Day 11 – Australia 2001– Swamp (@sirswampthing) 21 December 2025
Australia goes 3-0 up and retain the Ashes
It’s stuck where it should be
you bloody beauty
Come on come on GOOOOOOOOO
#AUSvENG #ash #ash25 pic.twitter.com/Ml3c1XGbN2
– Jake Flagpies23 🏆🖤🤍 (@incredibleboza) 21 December 2025
Alex Carey’s match-winning performance: 106 and 72#Ashes2025 #alexcarry #crickettwitter pic.twitter.com/2KukXGbLGm
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 21 December 2025
Buzzball is officially dead. England playing Test like T20, no control over players. This works against weaker sides/bowling, but collapses against stronger teams. By the third Test, they were back to normal. Had they done so early on, the series could have been different. #ash #AUSvENG
– Anurag Bhattri (@Anurag_Bhttri19) 21 December 2025
Wicketkeepers won POTM honor #ash,
– Ian Healy – Trent Bridge, 1997
– Adam Gilchrist – Edgbaston, 2001
– Alex Carey – Adelaide Oval, 2025#AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/qiK01eJHk2– Arshi (@imArshit) 21 December 2025
The worst Australian team in a decade? Yet they have captured the Ashes in just 10 days. Ruthless domination!
#ash #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/Y9IYXkGegZ
– Tillu Badmaash 💀 (@siddharthkaura2) 21 December 2025
We can laugh all we want at baseball, but being all out for 352 while chasing 435 in Adelaide is nothing. England fell 82 runs short of the miraculous Ashes chase. Give those batsmen a little more awareness of the game and this exact style was close to stealing it. #ash #AUSvENG
#Ashes2025 pic.twitter.com/7i7gXfnY2G– Wallflower (@mariatresa) 21 December 2025
🚨England in the last 18 Tests in Australia:🚨
Lost, lost, lost, lost, lost, lost, lost, lost, drawn, lost, lost, lost, lost, drawn, lost, lost, lost, lost.#ash #Ashes2025 #AUSvENG #Adelaide pic.twitter.com/nhQ0P7ReIf
– urstruly (@VikashChou70911) 21 December 2025
It was a very good movie, I rated it 5/5 👍 #AUSvsENG #AUSvENG #ash #Ashes2025 #ash25 pic.twitter.com/zhu4TxOjQx
– Jake Flagpies23 🏆🖤🤍 (@incredibleboza) 21 December 2025
All I remember is that Starc got two warnings for running on the pitch and another warning would have seen him banned from bowling for the rest of the innings. That’s not exactly what happened because he took 3 wickets today and we would have been 2 bowlers behind. #osweng #ash
– Rory Burnside (@RoryBurnside) 21 December 2025
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