Ashes 2025-26: Australia vs England Highlights & Review – 3rd Test

Published - 21 Dec 2025, 09:41 IST | Updated - 21 Dec 2025, 10:23 IST

Australia retained the Ashes urn after winning the third Test against England by 82 runs at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, December 21. Pat Cummins and Co. took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series.

England started Day 5 at 207/6, needing another 228 runs for an improbable win. Overnight batters Will Jacks and Jamie Smith added 78 runs in the first session to give England hopes of something special. However, Mitchell Starc got the better of Smith when he was batting on 60.

Brydon Carse joined forces with Jacks, and the duo added a 52-run stand, bringing the required runs down to two digits. However, Starc picked up the wickets of Jacks and Jofra Archer in quick succession to peg England back. The final wicket of Josh Tongue was taken by Scott Boland as the Three Lions were bowled out for 352 in 102.5 overs.

Jamie Smith mixed caution with aggression and lifted England's spirit with his 60-run knock off 83 balls. He hit seven fours and two sixes during his exhilarating knock. The wicketkeeper-batter hit two consecutive boundaries before getting out to Starc in the 83rd over, shortly after Australia had taken the second new ball.

Mitchell Starc took the wickets of Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, and Jofra Archer on Day 5 to finish with excellent figures of 3/62 in 17 overs. He also bowled three maidens along the way. The left-arm seamer broke the partnership between Smith and Jacks and then the one between Jacks and Carse.

Alex Carey won the Player of the Match award for his sensational batting display in both innings of the Test match. In his first essay, the wicketkeeper-batter smashed 106 off 143 balls. He followed it up with a 128-ball 72 in the second innings.

The fourth Test match between Australia and England begins on Boxing Day. It will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.