England’s hopes of Ashes glory were dashed in dramatic fashion at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, December 21, 2025, as Australia clinched an 82-run victory in the third Test to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The defeat, coming after just 11 days of cricket across the first three Tests, has not only extended England’s winless run in Australia to 18 matches but also triggered a storm of criticism, soul-searching, and calls for fundamental change in English cricket.
As the final wicket fell at 2:12pm—Josh Tongue edging a slip catch to Marnus Labuschagne off Scott Boland—Australian celebrations erupted, while England’s players trudged off the field, left to reflect on another lost Ashes campaign down under. For England fans, there were fleeting moments of hope on the final day. Jamie Smith produced a sparkling 60, Will Jacks fought hard for 47, and Brydon Carse remained unbeaten on 39. Yet, every time England threatened an unlikely world record chase of 435, Australia’s fielders—especially Labuschagne—were there to snuff out the resistance.
The mood in Adelaide was as bleak as the overcast skies that forced the floodlights on just ten minutes after play began. A 40-minute rain delay offered only temporary respite for England’s battered supporters, the Barmy Army, who nonetheless kept spirits high with their trademark singing—even as the series slipped away. The loyalty of England’s traveling fans was on full display, with players acknowledging their support at the end of the game, despite the crushing defeat.
Australia’s win was all the more impressive given the absence of several key players. Spinner Nathan Lyon suffered a hamstring injury during the morning session and was forced to leave the ground, joining a list of absentees that included Josh Hazlewood and, for large parts of the series, Pat Cummins and Steve Smith. Former England star Kevin Pietersen voiced his bewilderment on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “No Hazlewood, hardly any Cummins, Smith, Lyon etc etc, makes this defeat tough to understand!” Pietersen also lamented, “Seen more dismissals this morning that tell me all I need to know about an earlier tweet I wrote, saying that, batters are not tuned into Test Cricket anymore.”
Criticism from former England greats came thick and fast. Michael Vaughan, reflecting on Stuart Broad’s pre-series claim that Australia were the 'worst team in 15 years,' quipped, “Broady was close pre series with his summary of both teams but he just got it the wrong way round …” In his Telegraph column, Vaughan was even more blunt: “The whole approach of this England side has been badly exposed on this Ashes tour, and you don’t have to look far into history to know that heads will roll after a defeat like this.”
Sir Alastair Cook, speaking on TNT Sports, gave credit to Australia for their professionalism and skill. “Australia deserve it. England will feel an air of regret over these three games,” he said. Former spinner Phil Tufnell, meanwhile, praised Australia for consistently out-thinking England: “It has been thoroughly professional [from Australia]. Australia have out-thought England in many situations. You have got to take your hat off.” Nasser Hussain, on Sky Sports Cricket, echoed the sense of disappointment: “If you had told the England hierarchy here and back home that Josh Hazlewood isn’t going to bowl a ball, Nathan Lyon is going to get injured, Cummins is gonna miss a couple of Test matches, Smith is gonna be out, they’d have gone ‘wow.’ Actually, we have ended up getting exactly what we’ve had virtually on every other Ashes tour, and that’s what disappoints me.”
Perhaps the harshest verdict came from Geoffrey Boycott, one of English cricket’s most forthright commentators. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Boycott declared, “A lot of credit should go to Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes for what they have done for our cricket but it is obvious that Bazball has run its race.” He continued, “Hubris has taken over from common sense and that cannot be allowed to carry on. Stokes and McCullum are like men digging a hole to nowhere. If what you are doing isn’t working then stop digging.” Boycott did not mince words in calling for change: “Change is absolutely necessary to step up to the next level. What would I do? Change the coach. We are tired of this duo talking a good game but not delivering against the best teams so Rob Key, it is time for you to assert yourself.”
Boycott suggested Jason Gillespie or Alec Stewart as possible coaching replacements and urged a return to disciplined, textbook cricket. “I would like this ‘gung-ho’ batting to stop… Nobody wants dour, defensive cricket but let’s get back to textbook cricket with guys assessing the situation, thinking on their feet and batting with discipline. We were always told to use our brain. A thinking cricketer is a better cricketer,” he added.
Despite the storm of criticism, England captain Ben Stokes remained defiant about his future as skipper. Asked if he would consider stepping down, Stokes replied, “Nope.” He acknowledged the pain of defeat but emphasized his commitment: “Knowing now that we can't achieve what we set out to do here is obviously very disappointing. It's a pretty emotional time for me in the dressing room and the guys, players, management, backroom staff. We will take a lot out of this game about how we can maybe apply ourselves to give us a better chance of being a much more consistent cricket team.”
Stokes, who agreed to a new central contract running until the next Ashes in 2027, has battled injury woes but insisted he still has the energy for the job: “Absolutely.” He revealed he had to manage his body carefully throughout the series, particularly after feeling like he “was going to snap every time I ran after a ball.” Taking advice from senior teammates, Stokes looked after himself to ensure he could play a leading role when needed.
The fallout from this Ashes defeat is likely to be significant. England’s ultra-aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach, championed by Stokes and McCullum, has come under fierce scrutiny. The team’s inability to adapt their tactics when under pressure, coupled with technical failings against a weakened Australian side, has led many to question whether a reset is needed. With two Tests remaining—at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Sydney Cricket Ground—England still have a chance to restore pride and avoid a whitewash, having been beaten 5-0 on three previous Ashes tours.
As the dust settles in Adelaide, the conversation around England cricket is set to intensify. The futures of coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key are now under the microscope, and calls for a return to more disciplined, situational cricket are growing louder. Will England heed the warnings of their former greats, or stick with the bold philosophy that has defined the Stokes-McCullum era? With two matches left, the team’s response may shape the direction of English cricket for years to come.
For now, the Ashes urn remains firmly in Australian hands, and England’s search for answers continues as the series moves to Melbourne and Sydney.
