Adelaide, 21 December 2025:
Australia defeated England by 82 runs on the fifth day of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval on Sunday to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing 435 for victory, England were dismissed for 352, extending their winless streak in Australia to 18 matches and confirming yet another lost Ashes campaign on Australian soil.
The final day was disrupted by a 40-minute rain delay and compounded by a hamstring injury to Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, but England were unable to capitalise. Jamie Smith top-scored late in the innings before miscuing Mitchell Starc to be out for 60. Will Jacks resisted through the morning session but fell shortly after lunch for 47, edging Starc to first slip, where Marnus Labuschagne took a sharp catch.
Josh Tongue was the final wicket, edging Scott Boland to Labuschagne as England’s innings ended early in the afternoon.
Earlier, Australia had posted 371 in the first innings, led by Alex Carey’s 106, before adding 349 in the second innings thanks to Travis Head’s commanding 170. England replied with 286 in their first innings, with captain Ben Stokes scoring 83.
Australia captain Pat Cummins took 3-48 in the second innings, while Boland finished with match figures of 3-45.
The defeat marks the fourth consecutive Ashes tour in which England have lost the opening three Tests.
England last won the Ashes in Australia in 2011, and their previous overall series victory came in 2015.
Despite missing several senior players — including Cummins for the first two Tests, Josh Hazlewood for the series, Lyon for the second Test and Steve Smith in Adelaide — Australia have outplayed England throughout the series.
England must now avoid defeat in either Melbourne or Sydney to prevent a 5-0 series whitewash.
Scores in brief
Third Ashes Test, Adelaide Oval
Australia 371 (Alex Carey 106; Jofra Archer 5-53) and 349 (Travis Head 170; Josh Tongue 4-70)
England 286 (Ben Stokes 83; Scott Boland 3-45) and 352 (Zak Crawley 85; Pat Cummins 3-48)
Australia won by 82 runs; lead five-match series 3-0
