England’s much-discussed, endlessly debated and fiercely defended philosophy of ‘Bazball’ suffered another heavy blow in Adelaide, with Australia sealing an 82-run victory in the third Test to move to an unassailable 3-0 series lead. In a result that mirrored previous tours Down Under, the tourists once again found themselves comprehensively outplayed, despite moments of resilience and individual excellence that briefly hinted at something more.
The match was framed as a referendum on England’s aggressive approach to Test cricket, and by the final afternoon at the Adelaide Oval, the verdict felt damning. This was the third consecutive overseas Ashes series where England have fallen behind 3-nil, and once again the bold rhetoric could not outweigh Australia’s ruthless execution under pressure.
While England avoided the complete implosion seen in Brisbane, and showed greater fight across all four innings, the outcome remained the same. A series defeat was confirmed inside just 11 days, and the sense that ‘Bazball’ has limits in Australian conditions continues to grow louder with every passing session.
Below is a full breakdown of how each English player rated in the third Test, examining not just the numbers but the context, intent and consequences of their performances.
Zak Crawley — 8
9 and 85
Crawley’s series has quietly turned around after a nightmare start, and Adelaide provided further evidence that he is beginning to find his feet in Australian conditions. His first-innings dismissal to Pat Cummins was frustrating but hardly damning, undone by a delivery that would have troubled most batters in world cricket.
It was his second-innings knock of 85 that stood out. Showing patience and maturity rarely associated with his reputation, Crawley built an innings rather than blasting his way through it. Remarkably, it was one of the slowest scores of his Test career, underlining that he is capable of adapting when required — even if he stopped short of publicly acknowledging a philosophical shift. In a struggling side, Crawley has emerged as one of England’s brighter lights.
Ben Duckett — 2
29 and 4
Duckett’s tour has gone from unfortunate to deeply concerning. While he showed glimpses of promise early in the series, Adelaide felt like a turning point for all the wrong reasons. His first innings showed familiar issues outside off stump, with several loose shots preceding his dismissal to Nathan Lyon.
Any hopes of redemption in the second innings were extinguished almost instantly. Lasting just two balls, Duckett played an ill-judged shot to a length delivery outside off, leaving England reeling at a critical stage. With pressure mounting and alternatives waiting in the wings, his position now looks increasingly vulnerable.
Ollie Pope — 2
3 and 17
Pope’s struggles may become the defining cautionary tale of ‘Bazball’ on Australian soil. His first-innings dismissal — a casual chip to mid-wicket on a pitch offering little assistance — was widely criticised and sparked fierce debate back home.
While his second innings ended via a stunning catch from Marnus Labuschagne, it did little to offset the broader concerns around his decision-making and adaptability. Having reshaped his game entirely around England’s aggressive philosophy, Pope now faces the prospect of being its first major casualty, with Jacob Bethell looming as a potential replacement at first drop.
Joe Root — 3
19 and 39, DNB and 0/32
For a player of Root’s calibre, this was a deeply frustrating Test. Twice dismissed caught behind by Pat Cummins, Root never truly found fluency despite batting on a surface that offered plenty of scoring opportunities.
His second-innings stay promised more, but once again ended prematurely, leaving England short of the commanding contribution they desperately needed. With the Ashes slipping away, Root’s inability to convert starts into substantial scores loomed large.
Harry Brook — 5
45 and 30
Brook showed signs of growth in Adelaide, even if the end results were modest. His first innings was arguably his most composed of the tour, blending patience with calculated aggression before edging Cam Green.
In the second innings, he again built steadily before being bowled attempting a reverse sweep — a shot that looked reckless but had been productive earlier. While the dismissal will dominate discussion, Brook deserves credit for showing that he can temper his natural instincts when required.
Ben Stokes — 7
83 and 5, 0/53 and 1/26
Stokes’ match was as eventful as it was polarising. His first-innings 83 was gritty, determined and, to some critics, an example of everything ‘Bazball’ is not. Yet when wickets were tumbling around him, Stokes found a way to score runs and give England a fighting chance.
His absence from the attack on day three due to exhaustion raised eyebrows, but he returned with the ball when it mattered. Ultimately, his dismissal by Nathan Lyon during the final-day collapse symbolised England’s broader struggle — effort without reward.
Jamie Smith — 7
22 and 60, four catches
Smith endured another chapter in the ongoing Snicko debate, dismissed controversially in the first innings despite evidence suggesting no contact. He responded superbly in the second innings, counter-attacking with confidence and lifting England’s hopes as he surged past fifty.
His innings ended abruptly with a miscued shot off Mitchell Starc, but by then he had already demonstrated composure and courage under pressure. Behind the stumps, Smith was reliable and sharp throughout.
Will Jacks — 4
6 and 47, 2/105 and 1/107
As England’s frontline spinner, Jacks struggled to contain Australia’s batters, conceding runs freely despite claiming wickets at key moments. His inability to control an end placed added strain on the seamers, and his modest batting returns offered little compensation.
While his second-innings 47 showed fight, questions will persist over selection decisions, particularly with Shoaib Bashir waiting in reserve.
Brydon Carse — 5
2/89 and 3/80, 0 and 39*
Carse’s match was a tale of extremes. His opening spell with the new ball was expensive and ineffective, setting the tone for Australia’s dominance. However, he improved significantly later in the Test, attacking the stumps more consistently and finding success.
His unbeaten 39 in the second innings was a valuable contribution, but overall, his inefficiency with the new ball may count against him when selections are made for Boxing Day.
Jofra Archer — 9
5/53 and 1/20, 51 and 3
Archer was England’s standout performer. His first five-wicket haul in Australia was richly deserved, the reward for relentless pace, control and intent. He consistently challenged batters and set the tone with the ball.
Adding a maiden Test fifty — his first in over eight years — Archer underlined his all-round value. Even in limited second-innings spells, he remained threatening. A superb response to criticism and a reminder of his match-winning ability.
Josh Tongue — 7
1/64 and 4/70, 7* and 1
Tongue grew into the match impressively. Though expensive early, he finished strongly and was rewarded for attacking the batters with four wickets in Australia’s second innings. His energy, persistence and late impact make him difficult to drop, and he has arguably earned his place for the fourth Test.
As England regroup ahead of Boxing Day, the debate around ‘Bazball’ will only intensify. Individual performances offered moments of hope, but once again, Australia’s discipline and adaptability proved decisive — leaving England searching for answers in a familiar Ashes narrative.
