Australia swept to an 82-run win in the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval yesterday to retain the urn with two matches to spare and leave England facing recriminations over another failed campaign.
Chasing a world-record 435 runs to win, England battled doggedly on day five but folded for 352, with left-arm quick Mitchell Starc taking three wickets and Scott Boland dismissing Josh Tongue for the last out before tea.
"Three-nil is hugely satisfying for many reasons but particularly with how the chat before the series was how equally poised it was going to be,” said Australia captain Pat Cummins, who took six wickets on his return from a back injury.
"This group's amazing at just cracking on.”
Much of the talk in the buildup to the Ashes had been the age profile of the Australia squad but Starc said the veterans had proved their worth.
"We do laugh at some of the comments that get back to us about how old we are,” the 35-year-old added.
"I'm sure experience plays a part going through your highs and lows .... That plays a big part in all of this.”
After eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane, England have now lost the Ashes in three matches for the fourth consecutive tour, while losing 16 of their last 18 Tests in the country.
Though two Tests remain, this latest surrender may top the previous tours for sheer disappointment.
There were expectations of a genuine contest, fighting words from England captain Ben Stokes, and hope that “Bazball” might win the urn in Australia for the first time since 2010/11.
All that was swept aside in Adelaide where England ditched their trademark aggression, reverted to more traditional Test batting and were still beaten convincingly.
"We obviously came here with a goal in mind and we haven’t been able to achieve it. It hurts and it sucks,” said Stokes.
"They've been able to outdo us on a much higher level ... I thought we did incredibly well to take us where we did in this fourth innings.
"We couldn't do what we came here to do but there was some good stuff to come out of this game.”
Brendon McCullum admitted he had made mistakes as England head coach and said their preparations may have been flawed.
The fourth Test starts on Boxing Day in Melbourne.
REUTERS
