England's slim Ashes hopes were extinguished as Australia sealed a series win in emphatic fashion by claiming an 82-run victory in Adelaide.

Ben Stokes' team required a minor miracle on Sunday to keep themselves in the series. Instead, they were bowled out for 352 as Australia took an unassailable 3-0 lead.

England's lower order offered some resistance, with Jamie Smith scoring 60 and Will Jacks putting on 47.

However, Mitchell Starc (3-62) dismissed both of them, with Jacks caught out by a fantastic, one-handed Marnus Labuschagne take in the slips.

Brydon Carse scored an unbeaten 39, but Jofra Archer (three) and Josh Tongue (one) could not stay in to delay the inevitable as Scott Boland (3-45) cleaned up the tail.

England are winless in Australia in 18 Tests, as their decade-long wait to reclaim the urn rolls on.

Australia win by 82 runs and retain the Ashes. pic.twitter.com/YtIf1CzmmU

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 21, 2025

Data Debrief: Australia get the job done in rapid fashion

Australia needed just 11 days of action to win the Ashes, and questions will surely now be asked of Stokes, Brendon McCullum and England's leadership.

The tourists have now lost seven of their last eight Tests at the Adelaide Oval, while Australia have won their last six matches in the longest format, which is their best run since a six-match winning streak between November 2019 and December 2020.

Australia captain Pat Cummins, meanwhile, finished the match with bowling figures of 6-117 on his return to action. He is now on 97 Ashes wickets.