Left Arm Around

Australia clinched yet another Ashes victory with a 82-run win over England on day five of the third Test in Adelaide.

Skipper Pat Cummins, the in-form Mitchell Starc and off-spinner Nathan Lyon took three wickets apiece, while Scott Boland claimed the final wicket of Josh Tongue to spark jubilant scenes on the Adelaide Oval turf.

The visitors have now failed to win any of their last 18 matches down under, losing 16 and drawing two since their last success at the SCG in January 2011.

Well here we are again…..

After months of talking, debate and bigging up England’s chances of claiming the urn on foreign soil for the first time since that 3-1 win in 2011, the Three Lions’ challenge has fallen like a deck of cards before Santa has even delivered his presents.

Jamie Smith (60) and Will Jacks (47) ensured the inevitable loss was delayed longer than expected with a spirited partnership on day five, along with some South Australia rain, but the skill of Australia’s bowlers and England’s consistent batting failures ensured the series was over in only 11 days.

Even after the shellacking the tourists have taken down under in recent tours, who could have really envisaged the exciting, vibrant brand of ‘Bazball’ cricket to be decimated in such a devastating fashion?

After all, as the great Stuart Broad proclaimed, this was England’s best XI and Australia’s worst since that historical triumph in 2010/11.

Pat Cummins was ruled out for the first two Tests, fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood for the entire campaign and Jake Weatherald was shooed in as opener to make his Test debut. Jofra Archer was back. England had their quickest attack in history. Harry Brook was here to dominate Australia and Joe Root was about to get an annoying monkey off his back.

Simply put, the Aussies appeared vulnerable as ever and there for the taking- yet the story of the series tells a very different tale.

While the hosts have been good and displayed several moments of high-class- alas Travis Head’s devastating hundreds, Alex Carey’s glove work and Starc’s wicket-taking brilliance, you can’t help but feel that England have very much sealed their own demise.

Whether it be the poor preparation leading into the series, the lack of squad depth, a fractured mindset or most importantly execution out in the middle, the tourists have have let down the strong allegiance of Barmy Army fans who have paid their hard-earned money to support the team. Not to mention the millions of fans tuning in at the crack of dawn and ruining their sleep schedules with hope of it being different, only to be disappointed after brief snapshots of joy.

Think of Perth, where England took a lead on first-innings after Ben Stokes’ fabulous five-wicket haul, Brisbane where Joe Root scored a magnificent ton under the lights or even most recently in Adelaide, where Australia were reduced to 94/4 and in some danger of being dismissed cheaply.

Whenever you think Brendon McCullum’s side could be wrestling an advantage and move into the ascendancy, they’ve surrendered it with astounding ease. Whether they’ve lost wickets in clusters, collapsed with the bat or dropped clangers in the field, Australia have been on hand to make them pay in ruthless fashion.

The relentless, aggressive approach of ‘Bazball’ may have worked with great pizazz against the smaller nations, but this time it’s rather played into the hands of a well-oiled Australian machine who know their roles better. Who have soaked up pressure when necessary, rather than giving it away in sudden lapses of concentration or borderline arrogance.

In a series that could have been a classic tight contest between old enemies, England now face an incredible fight to avoid humiliation and embarrassment once more. 3-0 might be bad, but 5-0 is something that doesn’t bare thinking about given the mental scarring it’ll leave behind. And the careers it could end. The parties of 06/07 and 13/14 can pay testament to that…

What could have been?!

What’s next?

Both sides meet again for the fourth Test at the MCG on Boxing Day (December 25, 23:30 GMT).

It appears the hosts may be without Cummins nor Lyon due to injury, meaning both Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser could be in line for recalls. Jhye Richardson may also play his first Test in four years.

Given Ollie Pope’s franticness and poor form in the series, England may look to drag him out of the limelight and play Jacob Bethell at number three.

Without another spare batter in the touring party, however, nobody else will be available to slot into the top seven.

It may also be worth bringing in someone like Matthew Potts to replace Brydon Carse, especially given his expensive figures throughout the series.