AUS vs ENG

2:39 PM local time (9:39 AM IST): So, with two Test matches left, the fate of the series is decided. The Ashes is Australia's. This game though, was closely contested. England finally played their A-game not to keep up with the hosts. But there are lots of areas to work on for the visitors, which they must, if they want to win in Melbourne. Nathan Lyon may be out of action in the next Test, but Steven Smith should be fit to play. So who goes out? Australia have some thinking to do in that regard, but the best thing about the home side has been rising to the occasion even with some key players missing! That is all we have from Adelaide, but the series continues on Boxing Day, 26 December, with the first ball on Day 1 at the MCG to be bowled at 10:30 AM local time (5:00 AM IST). Do join us for that, friends. For now, this is the pair of Pradeep and Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda! 

Pat Cummins [Australia captain]: "It feels pretty awesome! Pretty excited change-room in there, now that we've got it done.

I've given myself every chance...got myself fit and thankfully, took some wickets. 

You can't really rush things here in Australia. It's good old-fashioned grind. It got a little bit too close in the end, but still, pretty happy!

We've used 14 or 15 players. You cannot win the Ashes with only 11 players. And we've shown that they are all capable to doing it.

This group has shown that it's adaptable to change. Lots of things have happened over the last couple of years, in this series itself there have been injuries at wrong moments, but, the boys have stuck to their task.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith may have a bit of a go at each other for the spot of second slip after the former's catching in this game!

Alex Carey and Travis Head, the two Adelaide locals, don't know when their contributions will stop, but, they are taking their careers to all-new highs every time and long may it continue!

We will have a bit of a break. Celebrate Christmas and then, be right back for Boxing Day!"

Ben Stokes [England captain]: "The dream we arrived with is gone now, and that’s tough to take. Everyone in the dressing room is hurting. We came here with a clear goal, but we couldn’t get it done. It stings — no doubt about that — but we have to move forward.

Australia’s consistency was the real difference. They executed their plans relentlessly with both bat and ball. In this format, that’s everything. Still, we fought hard to stretch the game into the fourth innings, and for a moment, when Will and Jamie were going strong, it felt like we might pull off something remarkable. It wasn’t to be, and that’s disappointing.

Looking back, losing the toss and bowling first — the way we restricted Australia to that total — was a fantastic effort. We knew we needed a big response with the bat. In the second innings, taking six for sixty-odd showed what we’re capable of. But this match came with its challenges, and losing those three wickets late yesterday really set us back.

What encouraged me, though, was the fight shown by the boys down the order. That determination is exactly what I’m asking for, and it’s something we can build on as a team.

We’ve only got ourselves to blame, not any one individual. As a group, we just haven’t been ruthless or relentless enough to truly challenge Australia. But this series isn’t over — there are still two games to go, and plenty left to play for. We’re not just going to roll over and let the rest of the Ashes drift by. We’ll throw everything we have into these last two Tests."

Alex Carey is the Player of the Match! Here's what he has to say: "It’s an incredible feeling. We came into this Test fully aware of what was at stake, and the boys stayed switched on from the start. Everyone has played their part throughout the series, and it’s been genuinely enjoyable — especially winning in front of a crowd like this.

Travis, once again, produced something extraordinary. Four Test hundreds at the same ground is unbelievable. I’ve always known how good he is, and he’s proving it every time he walks out. To play a role alongside him in Adelaide made it even more special.

I’m fortunate to have played plenty of Sheffield Shield cricket here, so the conditions felt familiar. Usman Khawaja stepped up brilliantly on short notice — he’s such a class act. On this surface, it was all about patience, getting through the tougher passages, and cashing in when the chance to score came.

Reaching that hundred was a very emotional moment, especially with my family here. Looking up after getting there meant a lot — something I’ll never forget.

Keeping to this bowling attack is a privilege. You’re always in the game with the quality they bring. I’ve had the chance to stand up to the stumps quite a bit as well. Nathan Lyon — hopefully he’s alright — was outstanding again, and this entire group of bowlers is simply world-class."

Travis Head: "When Nathan went down, I thought it would’ve been nice to step in and grab a wicket myself, but I couldn’t quite hit the rough the way I wanted. The rest of the boys stood up, though. And Starcy — he’s been enormous. I’ve lost track of how many wickets he’s taken, but he just keeps delivering every time we need him.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had this feeling that finishing the Ashes here would be special, and now I’m really looking forward to celebrating tonight.

This win belongs to everyone. It’s right up there among my favourites — winning the series and getting some runs in the bag. Setting things up in that third innings on a good surface felt great, and to help us close out the match and the series is incredibly satisfying.

It’s been a tough grind, but the crowd has been outstanding — I don’t know the exact number, but it felt massive and exactly what we expected.

Celebrating that hundred put me well outside my comfort zone. Davey’s done it before, and when I saw the boys laughing in the corner, I just went with the moment.

I’m happy to bat wherever the team needs me. I was disappointed getting out cheaply a couple of times, but with the field spread, I feel I can get going a bit quicker. It’s all part of working things out. Now we head to Melbourne and Sydney — two very different challenges — and I’m excited for what’s ahead."

Mitchell Starc: "Really pleased with that one — everyone had to put in a shift on a flat wicket, and the boys did exactly that. Another Ashes victory, and the atmosphere over the past week has been incredible.

The pitch didn’t offer as much as we expected, which made Nathan’s injury even tougher to take. With a harder new ball, he would’ve had a massive role to play, but we managed to find our way through regardless.

The wind was swirling around from every direction, so it was a proper contest out there. Happy to come out on top.

It’s a huge blow losing Josh, no doubt about it. But the group rallied — Pat returned, and the likes of Doggie and Scotty stepped up brilliantly. They played a massive part in this Test, and I’m really happy for them.

It’s always satisfying to contribute. It was tiring at times, but we speak often about how vital those lower-order runs can be. Scotty and I have done that back home in Queensland, and once again those runs proved important.

People like to joke about how old we are, but experience counts — especially when you’re riding the highs and the lows. Pat and Andrew have led this group superbly, and the younger guys slot in so well because of that stability.

And finally, watching that partnership with Alex was special. Playing here at home and putting the team in a strong position — it meant a lot."

2:12 PM local time (9:12 AM IST): Australia win by 82 runs, take an unassailable 3-0 lead and of course, retain the Ashes! 

Ben Stokes - 83 (198) and Zak Crawley - 85 (151) || Jofra Archer - 5/53 (20.2) and Josh Tongue - 4/70 (18)
Alex Carey - 106 (143) and Travis Head - 170 (219) || Scott Boland - 3/45 (15.2) and Nathan Lyon - 3/77 (25)

The day began with England 6-down and only a precious few more than 200 runs on the board. But, the match has ended, with a purposeful fight from England, going down, but not without a spirited go for an unlikely win! 

Getting bowled out for 352 eventually, is a strong, strong effort from the position that the visitors were in! Jamie Smith's counterattack, Will Jacks' stubborn resistance and Brydon Carse's lower-order runs, frustrated Australia! 

What also didn't help, was Nathan Lyon going off the field, injured. He was later seen on crutches. On a pitch like this, under pressure, he was a big miss! 

However, Australia always find a way, most definitely at home! 

After Lunch, when things were not working, Pat Cummins turned to Mitchell Starc to make things happen. And as wicket-takers do, he got rid of Jacks! It was a superb catch from Marnus Labuschagne at first slip, but had he dropped it to his left, everyone would say it should be left to the keeper! But, he held his nerve, went for it and caught it well enough. 

Next up, it is Jofra Archer's turn to fall into Starc's trap! Short and wide outside off with deep backward point in place. Archer slashed hard and found him on the full! 

Finally, Scott Boland managed to nick off Josh Tongue, securing an impressive victory deep into Day 5! 

No Steven Smith, no Nathan Lyon later on, good pitch to bat on, but, no problems for the hosts even then! 

102.5 Scott Boland to Josh Tongue, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Australia seal the Ashes with two Tests to spare - Australia’s supremacy on full display. Length delivery outside the off-stump, Tongue into the drive, but that catches the outside edge. Labuschagne in action again, takes a dolly at second slip to his left and it's all over.

102.3 Scott Boland to Brydon Carse, OH! Just over the top of mid-wicket. Back of a length on the off-stump, Carse whips that one away for a single.

So England's hopes of keeping the series alive hangs by a thread now. The last pair is at the crease now. How do they bat? Well, just treat the ball on its merit.