Australia vs England 3rd Ashes Test Day 5 Highlights: Australia Take 3-0 Lead vs England, Retain Title In 11 Days

And... breathe. The Ashes 2025/26 score line reads 3-0 in favor of Australia. They have proved once again why they are a side to beat, especially at home. But England can feel much more positive about Melbourne and Sydney after the fight they’ve shown here. They will go back to the drawing board and assess where things went wrong. They did come close this time around, but couldn't win the clutch moments, the way the Aussies did. Well then, both teams will enjoy the Christmas break, but what follows after that is the BOXING DAY TEST. It's going to be pure theatre as the Melbourne Cricket Ground prepares for the fourth and penultimate Test. England cannot win the series, but surely will feel a bit consoled with a 3-2 result. We will be back on Friday, 26th December, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 11.30 pm GMT (the previous day). Until then, take care, stay safe. Cheers!

The victorious captain of Australia, Pat Cummins, beaming with a broad smile, walks up for a chat now. He begins by saying that it wasn't easy, but feels awesome to end up on the right side. Highlights that the last couple of months have been of a lot of grind and they needed to be patient. Points that you cannot really rush things while playing in Australia. It's important to grind in an old-school fashion and says that he loved the toil from all the guys on the field. Adds that it's always about focusing on what they really do as bowlers, and says that they are focused on what they can bring to the table in different conditions. Says that you need more than 11 players in a series. Shares that they have already used 14-15 players so far. Appreciates Marnus Labuschagne for being alert in the slips, and cheekily says that Steve will have to fight with Marnus for a place at the slips. Ends by saying that it was great to see packed crowds on all five days, with two homegrown heroes dominating.

The English skipper, Ben Stokes, says that the dream they arrived with here is gone now, which is tough to take. Adds that everyone in the dressing room is hurting. They came here with a clear goal, but couldn't get it done and it stings but they have to move forward. Mentions that Australia were far more consistent than them in the pressure moments, which was the real difference. Says that they showed great fight, and when Smith and Jacks were batting, they had some hope of pulling out a remarkable chase,  but it wasn't to be. Further adds that they restricted Australia to a par score but couldn't respond in the way they wanted. Then in the second innings, picking up 6 for 60-odd runs showed what they are capable of,  but losing those three wickets late on Day 4 put them on the back foot. However, he has seen enough character from his team which he wanted, despite the result not going their way. Tells that they only have themselves to blame as a unit, and they just were not ruthless enough to challenge the Aussies. Ends by saying that they are not going to just roll over and let the rest of the Ashes drift by, but throw everything in the last two games.

Alex Carey is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant contribution with the bat. He notched up a century in the first inning, and followed it with a crucial 72. He was instrumental behind the stumps as well, with 6 catches in the match and an electric stumping. He starts by saying that it's a great feeling as they knew what was on the line coming into this match. Says that the boys stayed in the present and have chipped in throughout the series so far. Expresses his delight at winning in front of his home crowd. Appreciates the way Travis Head batted, calling it a very special knock. Says scoring four Test hundreds back-to-back at the same venue is just insane and shows how good he has been for them. About his batting, Carey shares that he feels lucky to play a lot of Sheffield Shield cricket on a familiar surface. Also adds that Usman Khawaja played really well at a late notice. Details that having patience and trying to get through some good spells of bowling and picking up the boundaries were important on such a surface. Expresses his happiness of scoring a hundred in front of his family. Adds that when you keep to a really good bowling attack, it gives you a lot of opportunities. Mentions that Nathan Lyon was simply outstanding with the ball on the fourth day. Ends up by thanking the crowd and says it's been a lot of fun.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

But as Stokes stressed at the start of this match about showing a bit of a dog, England refused to surrender. The chase started cautiously, then ignited. Joe Root and Zak Crawley provided stability before Harry Brook launched a counterattack that suddenly made the impossible seem achievable. When Brook fell off an uninspiring shot selection, Will Jacks stepped up, playing with composure beyond his experience. Then came Jamie Smith. Thrown into the furnace in the toughest of theaters, the young wicketkeeper displayed outstanding composure. He didn't fear smashing the new ball against Starc and Cummins, attacking with freedom and forcing Australia onto the back foot. But then came another brainfade moment. Failing to resist the adrenaline, he threw it away with a rash shot just when England needed him most. Jacks and Carse launched another counterattack, with a brisk 52-run stand, only to be broken by a spectacular grab by Marnus Labuschagne off Starc's bowling. Then, the wheels just came off and Australia landed the killer blow to finish things off.

England's decision not to play a specialist spinner looked questionable from the start. They chose to strengthen their batting depth, but on a pitch that spins and bounces in Adelaide's heat, and only got better for spinners as the game progressed, that gamble initially looked costly. Relying so heavily on a part-timer while the pitch was crying out for a proper spinner seemed a tactical misstep. England, though, wrapped up Australia's second innings with surgical precision on Day 4 morning, an inspiring display led by Josh Tongue's four-wicket haul. But the damage seemed done. Travis Head's outstanding 170 and Alex Carey's 72 in a 162-run partnership had exhausted England's bowlers in the heat. With a massive 435-run target set, Australia appeared in complete control.

There was a strange parity in how this match unfolded as England faced nearly identical collapses. They were reduced to 71/4 and looked set for a total disaster before Harry Brook and Ben Stokes stabilized the ship. History repeated itself later in the day when the visitors slumped further to 168/8, but the resilience of the lower order again became the defining theme. Ben Stokes produced a gritty and uncharacteristic defensive knock while Jofra Archer showed genuine batting skill to frustrate the Australian bowlers in the final session before folding on 286.

Adelaide delivered enough drama to fill an entire series. With Steve Smith ruled out at the eleventh hour due to vertigo, Australia turned to the veteran Usman Khawaja to fill the void at number four. It was a makeshift solution that felt like a gamble, but Khawaja played with the poise of a man who never left the side and anchored the innings with a vital 82. The real headline, however, was the incredible rise of Alex Carey. Walking out to the middle with his team reeling at 94/4, Carey played the innings of his life. His emotional century on his home ground was more than just a personal milestone because it dragged Australia from the brink of collapse to a commanding 371. This recovery was fueled by a lower order that refused to fold, with Mitchell Starc adding a punishing 54 to deflate an England attack that struggled to find the knockout blow.

It is now time to hear it from TRAVIS HEAD. He says that when Lyon went down, he thought he might have to step in and get the wickets, but got pumped in his first few overs as he couldn't hit the rough. Adds that Starc has been exceptional so far in this Ashes, with bat and ball. Mentions that he was manifesting finishing the Ashes here in Adelaide, and now he is looking forward to celebrating with the lads. Says that this win belongs to everyone and it is up there with his favourites. Tells that he rates his knock as one of the best ones, and brought out a celebration previously done by Warner. Further adds that he is happy to bat anywhere. Says he was disappointed getting out cheaply a couple of times, but he feels that with the field spread out, he can score quickly. Ends by saying that he is looking forward to the different challenges in Melbourne and Sydney.

Isa Guha has someone to have a chat with. It is MITCHELL STARC first, followed by Head. Starc says that he is pleased with this win. Adds that everyone put in a good effort on a flat wicket. It is another Ashes victory and the atmosphere throughout this game was amazing. Mentions that the pitch didn't offer as much as expected, and the injury to Lyon didn't help them, but they managed to find their way. Tells that the wind was swirling from every direction and it was a proper contest. Further adds that it's a huge blow losing Josh, but Cummins returned, which was nice, and Doggie (Doggett) and Scotty stepped in nicely. Says that it is always good to contribute, he enjoys his batting, but it's a bit tiring as well. Mentions that people joke about their age but experience is crucial. Says that Pat and Andrew have led the group superbly, and the young guys coming in have done pretty well. Ends by saying that the Head-Carey partnership was great to watch, and he doesn't really know how Travis does that time and again.

Pat Cummins hadn't bowled a ball since July, returning from injury wilderness. He looked less like a man out of practice and more like a predator, with surgical precision. Picked up a 4-for in the first innings, then backed it up by a spectacular three-wicket haul in the second. Supporting him was Nathan Lyon, who turned this flat deck into a spinning masterclass. By leapfrogging the great Glenn McGrath to move to sixth on the all-time wicket-takers list, Lyon didn't just claim a record, but he asserted his status as a modern-day great. Add Mitchell Starc, who contributed a rather fluent 54 before with the bat in the first innings, and then unleashed electric pace, with discipline and absolute conviction, ending up with four wickets.

Forget the theories that Australia are over the hill, with several blokes in the twilight of their careers, or that England simply handed them the first two Tests. This performance was a cold reminder of the massive gap in quality between these sides. Even in crushing heat, the Australian bowlers worked as a pack and never let England breathe. While the visitors relied almost entirely on Archer, the home side had an endless supply of weapons in the bowling department. Every bowler took turns testing England's technique and mental strength, and the visitors had no answers. Whatever tactics Australia deployed were executed to near perfection.

AUSTRALIA RETAIN THE ASHES IN JUST 11 DAYS! The Men in Baggy Green are euphoric, with smiles and hugs spreading across the field. Nathan Lyon, watching on crutches at the sidelines, beams with pride as his teammates celebrate this triumph. Things heated up towards the end, and England deserve all the credit for mounting a valiant fight. They made Australia sweat and forced them to work hard for every wicket. The winning margin may be narrower than expected for Australia, but as they have done all series, they found a way to own the clutch moments. England, in contrast, could not. Despite the fight and character shown by the tourists, there is plenty of soul searching ahead for them.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! It's absolute jubilation here at the Adelaide Oval as the Aussies celebrate wildly. Scott Boland lands this on a good length and on the fifth stump line, gets it to shape away as well. Josh Tongue looks to drive it on the up, but without much footwork. It takes the outside edge and flies straight to second slip, where fittingly Marnus Labuschagne takes a sharp catch, his fourth of this innings. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 82 RUNS AND TAKE AN UNASSAILABLE 3-0 LEAD!

Short of a length and around off, Josh Tongue plays well inside the line of it to let it go.

Uppish but safe! Fuller and on middle, angling in. Brydon Carse flicks it aerially and just over mid-wicket for a single.

Hits the length hard, on off, takes off a bit. Brydon Carse just about gets on top of it and keeps it out off the shoulder of the bat towards point.

On a length and on off, angling in, Brydon Carse stays back and blocks it out.

STAT - Dismissing Archer was Starc's 750th wicket overall in his international career. The third-highest wicket-taker for Australia across all formats, after the great Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.