Chasing a fearsome 435, England were dismissed for 352 but fell short after briefly threatening to extend the match deeper into the afternoon. The result sparked celebrations from the home side and underlined Australia’s authority throughout the series so far.
England shows fight, but falls short on the last day in Adelaide
England started Day 5 with faint hope and responded with commendable courage. Jamie Smith, Will Jacks and Brydon Carse stitched together valuable runs to keep Australia waiting, frustrating the bowlers with disciplined defense and timely counter-attacks.
However, the task remained difficult in the face of a brutal Australian attack. Just as England threatened to close the gap, wickets arrived at regular intervals, preventing a real late surge. The chase eventually lost momentum, ending England’s hopes of saving the Test.
Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland finish the job for Australia
The Australian bowlers held their nerve on the final day. Mitchell Starc struck three times, using pace and angle to break key partnerships, while Scott Boland struck the final blow to end English resistance and seal the match.
The disciplined bowling effort ensured Australia retained control despite England’s stubborn stand, completing a victory that reflected their superiority throughout all five days in Adelaide.
The foundation for Australia’s victory was laid earlier in the Test with a powerful batting display in the second innings. Travis Head’s commanding 170 anchored the innings, while Alex Carey’s flowing 72 provided crucial middle-order support.
Their contributions pushed Australia into a dominant position and gave England an imposing fourth-inning goal that proved out of reach. The pair’s efforts were central in shaping the match and putting sustained pressure on the visitors.
Australia retains the Ashes in just 11 days
The win in Adelaide followed eight-wicket victories in Perth and Brisbane, meaning Australia completed their Ashe retention in just 11 days of cricket – one of the fastest series of clinches in almost a century.
With two Tests left to play, Australia have already secured the urn, highlighting the gap between the sides over the first three matches.
WATCH also: Nathan Lyon rattles Ben Stokes’ stump with a beauty on Day 4 of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide
Here are the reactions from fans:
Goodbye Bazbal 👋🏻 #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/HbL6mmSfD7
— Lachy (@Lachy_Steele) December 21, 2025
Australia retains the Ashes 🏆#ash #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/U0Am9pVVEW
— Adelaide Ovaal (@TheAdelaideOval) December 21, 2025
Fastest Ashes Wins (5+ match series)
8 days – from 1921
11 DAYS – FROM 2025/26
11 days – from 2002/03
11 days – from 2001#AUSvENG
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) December 21, 2025
Australia won 3-0 and retained the Ashes
It stays where it should be
You damn beauty
Let’s gooooooooooooo
💚💛💚💛🇦🇺🦘#AUSvENG #Ash #as25 pic.twitter.com/Ml3c1XGbN2
— JAKE FLAGPIES23 🏆🖤🤍 (@IncredablyBozza) December 21, 2025
A match-winning performance from Alex Carey: 106 & 72 ✨#As2025 #AlexCarey #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/2KukXGbLGm
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 21, 2025
Bazball is officially dead. England play Tests like T20s, no control of players. It works against weak sides/bowling, but crumbles against stronger teams. From the 3rd test they switched to normal if they had done it in the beginning, the series might have turned out differently. #Ash #AUSvENG
— Anurag Bhattarai (@Anurag_Bhattri19) December 21, 2025
Wicketkeepers achieve POTM accolades #DeAs:
– Ian Healy – Trent Bridge, 1997
– Adam Gilchrist – Edgbaston, 2001
– Alex Carey – Adelaide Oval, 2025#AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/qiK01eJHk2— Arshy (@imArshit) December 21, 2025
Worst Australian team in a decade? Still, they sealed the ashes in just over ten days. Ruthless dominance! 💥🇦🇺
#Ash #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/Y9IYXkGegZ
— tillu badmas 💀 (@SiddharthKaura2) December 21, 2025
We can laugh at Bazball all we want, but chasing 435 in Adelaide and completely finishing 352 is no mean feat. England fell 82 runs short of a miraculous Ashes chase. Give those hitters a little more game awareness and this exact style was almost stolen. #Ash #AUSvENG
#As2025 pic.twitter.com/7i7gXfnY2G— Muurbloempje (@mariyatresa) December 21, 2025
🚨ENGLAND IN THE LAST 18 TESTS IN AUSTRALIA:🚨
Lost, lost, lost, lost, lost, lost, lost, lost, draw, lost, lost, lost, lost, draw, lost, lost, lost, lost.#Ash #As2025 #AUSvENG #Adelaide pic.twitter.com/nhQ0P7ReIf
— urstruly (@VikashChou70911) December 21, 2025
This was a very good movie, I rated it 5/5 👌 #AUSvsENG #AUSvENG #Ash #As2025 #as25 pic.twitter.com/zhu4TxOjQx
— JAKE FLAGPIES23 🏆🖤🤍 (@IncredablyBozza) December 21, 2025
I just remembered that Starc had been given two warnings for running on the field, and another warning would have seen him banned from bowling for the remainder of the innings. It’s a good thing that didn’t happen because he took three wickets today and we would be two bowlers down. #aveng #Ash
— Rory Burnside (@RoryBurnside) December 21, 2025
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#Fans #berserk #Australia #retain #Ashes #lead #Adelaide #Oval