Australia’s ruthless dominance in the Ashes continued unabated as they wrapped up the series in emphatic fashion, prompting a scathing assessment from former captain and renowned commentator Ricky Ponting. What was billed as a fiercely competitive contest between two historic rivals has instead turned into a one-sided affair, leaving England searching for answers and pride with two Tests still to play.
The Australians sealed the Ashes within a staggering 11 days, completing a crushing 3–0 series lead after an authoritative 82-run victory in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval. Having already claimed the opening two matches, the hosts showed no signs of easing off, delivering a performance built on discipline, skill, and mental toughness. The margin of victory not only underlined Australia’s superiority but also highlighted England’s struggles to cope with pressure in unfamiliar conditions.
Ricky Ponting, speaking in his role as a Seven Network commentator, did not hold back in his analysis. While he was generous in his praise of the Australian side, he reserved his sharpest criticism for England, whom he felt had failed to live up to the pre-series hype. Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Ponting captured both the emotion and importance of Ashes cricket, saying, “It doesn’t get any better. The only way it gets better for Australia is if they go 4-0 up next week and 5-0 up at the end. That is the only way it can get better.”
Ponting went on to stress the unique place the Ashes holds in the sport, particularly for Australian players who grow up dreaming of moments like these. “This is the pinnacle of our sport. The reason that we want to play the game as kids growing up in the backyard is all about moments like this, it’s all about Ashes cricket.” His words echoed the sentiment felt across the cricketing public, as Australia celebrated yet another emphatic triumph over their oldest rivals.
What surprised Ponting most, however, was not Australia’s excellence but the sheer speed with which the contest had been decided. The former skipper admitted that, heading into the series, expectations were for a far tighter battle. Instead, the reality has been brutally different. “To think that we’re only 11 days into the series and Australia are now 3-0 up, they have been so dominant,” he said, summing up the imbalance that has defined the campaign.
In the build-up to the series, England were widely touted as genuine contenders. Confidence was high, fuelled by recent performances and the belief that this squad represented their strongest touring group in years. Ponting addressed that narrative directly, pointing out how dramatically it has unraveled. “There was a lot talked about in the build-up about how good England were, they’ve come in with their best team and best squad they’ve come with this century.”
Yet the results have failed to match the rhetoric. Ponting did not shy away from calling it as he saw it, adding, “Well, the series is done within 11 days — they’ve been very disappointing.” His disappointment stemmed not just from the losses themselves, but from England’s inability to consistently play the brand of cricket required to challenge Australia in their own conditions. “I thought this would be a close series, I tipped Australia to win the series 3-2, but so far, they just haven’t turned up to play the brand of cricket that’s good enough to win an Ashes series.”
From England’s perspective, the fallout has been emotional and sobering. Captain Ben Stokes, known for his fighting spirit and resilience, acknowledged the pain of seeing the Ashes slip away so quickly. Speaking candidly after the defeat, Stokes admitted, “Obviously the dream we came here with is now over which is obviously incredibly disappointing.”
The sense of frustration within the English camp has been palpable, with players visibly drained by the intensity and outcomes of the series. Stokes continued, “Everyone’s obviously hurting and quite emotional about it.” Despite the crushing nature of the loss, he was keen to emphasize the importance of regrouping for the remaining fixtures. “We’ve got two more games to go, and that’s where the focus needs to switch to now.”
For England, the tour now becomes about salvaging pride rather than silverware. Stokes underlined that shift in mindset while acknowledging the sting of failure. “We came here with a goal in mind and we’ve not been able achieve that. It sucks but, we ain’t gonna stop.” His defiance suggests that England will continue to fight, even if the ultimate prize is already out of reach.
Australia’s celebrations, however, were tempered by concern over an injury to veteran spin bowler Nathan Lyon. The off-spinner appeared to injure his right hamstring after diving near the fine-leg boundary during England’s chase. Lyon immediately clutched the top of his leg and was unable to continue, casting doubt over his availability for the remainder of the series. His potential absence would be a significant blow, given his experience and effectiveness in home conditions.
The series victory has also highlighted the depth and maturity of this Australian side. Throughout the campaign, they have been forced to navigate a number of setbacks. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the entire series through injury, while captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, and Lyon himself have all faced periods on the sidelines at various stages. Despite these challenges, Australia have barely missed a beat, with replacements stepping up seamlessly.
Attention now turns to the iconic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which begins on Thursday. England will be desperate to avoid a clean sweep and restore some credibility before the final Test in Sydney and the long journey home. For Australia, the focus will be on maintaining standards and managing player workloads, particularly given the injury concerns.
Selection dilemmas loom large for the hosts. The impending return of Steve Smith presents a tough call over who makes way, while Lyon’s injury could force a reshuffle in the bowling attack. Cummins’ fitness also remains uncertain after missing the first two Tests, leaving the selectors with some important decisions to make.
Regardless of the changes, the message from Ponting and the broader Australian camp is clear: this Ashes series has been a showcase of dominance, preparation, and resilience. For England, it has been a harsh reminder of how unforgiving Ashes cricket can be when standards slip, even slightly, on the biggest stage of all.
