Australia won the Ashes on Day 5 of the 3rd Test at Adelaide Oval, securing their third straight victory. The home side retained the urn early in the 2025-26 series with a dominant performance. Many are now asking where did England go wrong in dismal bid to regain the Ashes urn this year.
Early Collapses and Costly Errors
Australia secured a decisive 82-run victory in Adelaide. This win allowed them to retain the Ashes on the 11th day of the series, wrapping up the contest early. Key moments swung the match firmly in Australia’s favor. Usman Khawaja’s Day 1 score of 82 was vital, especially after Harry Brook dropped him when he was on just five runs. Brook then made another costly error, dropping Travis Head when he was on 99. Head went on to score 71, with these dropped catches proving incredibly decisive in Australia’s innings.
England’s top order struggled consistently throughout the match. Early on Day 2, Nathan Lyon quickly took two wickets in his first over, contributing to England’s early collapse. By lunch, Lyon had figures of 4-0-19-2. Pat Cummins also pressed hard with the new ball, taking 5-1-20-1. These spells left England reeling at 59/3 and later 64/3, with Harry Brook on 9 and Joe Root on 13. Australia’s bowlers exploited England’s frailties from the start, as ESPN reported on England’s top-order struggles.
Australia’s Clinical Finish
Australia sealed their victory with clinical precision. Scott Boland took the final wicket of Josh Tongue, caught by Marnus Labuschagne, stranding Brydon Carse on 39 not out. Labuschagne was a standout in the field, taking four catches throughout the match. His efforts included a “sensational” one-handed screamer to dismiss Will Jacks. Labuschagne’s fielding exemplified Australia’s sharp performance and commitment. This all contributed to Australia’s fourth straight home Ashes victory, the earliest retention possible in the series. The match report from ESPN highlighted Australia’s dominant finish.
Gutsy Fight Not Enough
England’s lower order showed considerable “gutsy fight” in the face of defeat. Jamie Smith scored 60 runs, Will Jacks contributed 47, and Brydon Carse remained unbeaten on 39. Even Jofra Archer fought hard as a No.10/11 batsman, though he eventually edged Mitchell Starc to deep point. This resistance mirrored a recurring theme across the series, where England’s lower order often stepped up after top-order collapses.
Ultimately, these individual efforts could not overcome the consistent failures from England’s top batsmen. The pattern of strong lower-order resistance failing to match early batting struggles proved unsustainable. England’s hopes were “thwarted” by Australia’s consistent pressure and their own repeated batting frailties.
Technology Concerns and Missed Opportunities
Adding to England’s frustrations was a disputed DRS decision involving Joe Root. Root survived a potential dismissal when Snicko showed a spike, but no edge was given to Alex Carey. England considered lodging a formal complaint regarding the reliability of the technology, with the supplier later taking “full responsibility” for the error. While this specific incident did not directly alter the match outcome, it underscored a feeling of things not going England’s way.
Alex Carey’s century earlier in the match also kept Australia afloat amid several handed wickets, further emphasizing missed opportunities for England.
Reactions and What’s Next
Fan reactions quickly spread across social media following Australia’s retention of the Ashes. One fan commented via ESPN during the final session, capturing the prevalent sentiment:
“This upcoming session can be the end of Ashes for England, although it will not be the one that wins them this test.”
This quote highlighted the grim reality for England supporters as the match neared its conclusion. Social media platforms, particularly YouTube, were filled with highlights celebrating Australia’s dominance and back-to-back wins. Fan comments on YouTube frequently noted England’s ultimate failure despite flashes of lower-order fight.
Australia’s “nerve held” throughout the series, allowing them to secure their fourth consecutive home Ashes series victory. This latest win cements Australia’s strong dominance in home Test matches against England. YouTube recaps amplified the decisive nature of the series, showcasing what many termed an “epic showdown” favoring the home side. International coverage framed Australia’s 3-0 lead as the “dismal bid” of England failing early.
Looking ahead, England will likely adjust tactics and selections. The recurring top-order issues and critical errors, such as Harry Brook’s drops, demand review. Cricket Australia and the ECB are already addressing concerns about England’s lack of competitive warm-ups, discussing future series preparations at venues like Lilac Hill. The 2025-26 Ashes series is decided, but the early failure impacts player legacies and forces England to confront their strategy. Historical analysis shows this early retention echoes past home strengths for Australia, reinforcing a pattern England must urgently address our analysis on series.
Soureesh Datta 
Govind Singh