Fast bowler Mitchell Starc dashed England’s hopes of a comeback by taking three of the last four wickets on the fifth and final day of the third Test match on Sunday, securing an 82-run victory for Australia and ensuring they retained the Ashes with two Tests remaining.

England resumed their second innings on the fifth morning at 207 for six, chasing a target of 435, needing 228 more runs for victory, while Australia required four wickets to retain the Ashes. However, England were bowled out for 352 after lunch, dealing a major blow to their hopes of achieving an improbable victory, setting a world record, and keeping the Ashes series alive.

Australia had won the first two Test matches in Perth and Brisbane by identical eight-wicket margins. Starc had bowled brilliantly in both matches and was named Player of the Match, and he again played a crucial role in Australia’s victory in the third Test.

Starc took the only wicket in the morning session, dismissing Jamie Smith for 60, as England added 102 runs in the first session to keep their hopes alive. England’s spirited fightback kept the Ashes series alive until lunch on the final day.

England were 309 for seven at lunch, with Australia needing three more wickets to clinch the trophy in Adelaide and England needing 126 runs to stay alive in the five-match series. England’s lower-order batsmen continued to put up a fight. Australia missed the services of experienced spinner Nathan Lyon, who had left the field due to a hamstring injury, but Starc, the leading wicket-taker in the series, stepped up, taking the wickets of Will Jacks (47) and Jofra Archer (03), while Scott Boland dismissed Josh Tongue (01) to finish the match. Brydon Carse remained unbeaten on 39.

The fourth Test match will begin on Boxing Day (December 26) in Melbourne.