Daijiworld Media Network - Adelaide

Adelaide, Dec 21: Australia once again underlined their dominance at home by retaining the Ashes with an emphatic 82-run victory over England in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. The win handed the hosts an unassailable 3-0 series lead with two matches still to play, extending England’s winless run in Australia to 18 Tests.

Reacting to the series-clinching triumph, Marnus Labuschagne said the result was particularly satisfying after pre-series criticism. “We were called the worst Australian team in 15 years, so to be sitting here 3-0 up feels pretty good,” he told ABC Radio.

England resumed the final day chasing an improbable 435 and briefly showed resistance despite a rain delay that curiously came without any rainfall. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith led the charge, attacking Nathan Lyon and Cameron Green early to keep faint hopes alive.

Smith, along with Will Jacks and Brydon Carse, mounted a spirited fightback that lasted nearly three hours. Smith top-scored with 60, Jacks made 47, and Carse remained unbeaten on 39, as England battled to 352 before being bowled out. Labuschagne’s sharp catch at second slip to dismiss Jacks halted England’s momentum at a crucial stage.

Australia’s decision to take the new ball proved decisive soon after, with Smith mistiming a shot to wide mid-on, sparking debate but swinging the contest firmly back in the hosts’ favour.

Scott Boland sealed the victory after lunch, removing Josh Tongue to end England’s resistance and confirm another Ashes triumph for Australia on home soil.