Bazball burnt to Ashes as Australia retain urn Down Under

Australia retained the Ashes in stunning style on December 21 in Adelaide, trumping Ben Stokes-led England by a comprehensive 82-run margin to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Australia dominated proceedings from the get-go after winning the toss and electing to bat first, never letting the game out of their grasp even once across four innings.

The hosts amassed 371 in 91.2 overs in the first innings, riding on the back of Usman Khawaja’s well-compiled 82 off 126 and wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s counterattacking 106 off 143 with eight fours and a six. Mitchell Starc added more heft to the total with an invaluable 54 off 75. Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers, bagging an impressive five-wicket haul (5/53 in 20.2 overs).

England’s batting woes extended in the series, as they lost their top order cheaply before scripting a mild recovery to reach 286 in 87.2 overs. Captain Ben Stokes led the fightback with a hard-fought 83, while Archer, not content with the fifer, took matters into his hands with the bat as well, scoring a gutsy 51 even as Australia bowlers shared the spoils, with Pat Cummins returning with 3/69 and Scott Boland claiming 3/45.

Australia went harder in the second innings, amassing 349 in 84.4 overs to set England an improbable target of 462. Travis Head stole the show with a stellar 170 off 219 balls, including 16 fours and two sixes, while Carey continued from where he left off in the first innings, adding 72 off 128. Josh Tongue impressed with figures of 4/70.

Out to chase, England were restricted well short at 352 in 102.5 overs despite showing some fight, with Zak Crawley managing 85, Jamie Smith 60, and Will Jacks’ long vigil of 47 off 137. However, Australia’s relentless attack stood firm, with all three of Starc (3/62), Cummins (3/48), and Nathan Lyon (3/77) scalping three wickets each.

Carey was named Player of the Match for his 106 and 72 as well as six catches behind the stumps. The Adelaide triumph means Australia retain the Ashes at the earliest juncture, burying Bazball and England’s hopes to change their fortune in this part of the world, having not won a Test since the 2010-11 season.

England have played 40 Tests in the Bazball era in the Stokes-McCullum regime, winning 22 of those. Even though the win percentage seems respectable, England have repeatedly flattered to deceive, with some of their biggest thrashings coming since the adoption of the ultra-aggressive philosophy. England have collapsed more frequently than ever before, especially in overseas conditions, and their gung-ho approach has seemingly done more harm than good on multiple occasions. To say that their overseas record has been underwhelming is an understatement.

England's Test performance in Bazball era