Ashes secured in Adelaide as Australia boost WTC27 hopes

Australia have regained the Ashes and boosted their chances of another appearance in the ICC World Test Championship Final with a dominant 82-run victory over England in the third Test in Adelaide on Sunday.

The Aussies clinched the win midway through the final day of the Adelaide contest, with Scott Boland claiming the decisive wicket as England were bowled out for 352 in their second innings as Australia made it 3-0 in the five-game Ashes series.

The triumph sees Australia maintain their place at the top of the World Test Championship standings with a perfect record through six Tests of their 22 Tests this cycle and has them well placed to reach a third straight decider at Lord's in 2027.

The loss will make it tougher for England to reach a first World Test Championship final, with Ben Stokes' side in seventh place on the standings with a 27.08 percent win-loss percentage. They have won just two matches from their eight appearances this cycle.

England still have two further Ashes Tests in Australia to improve their spot on the standings and are scheduled to appear in a total of 21 Tests this cycle prior to the 2027 final in London.

The tourists actually put up an improved performance with the bat in Adelaide, with their total in the second innings their best through three Tests Down Under and boosted by half-centuries from opener Zak Crawley (85) and keeper Jamie Smith (60).

Smith and Will Jacks (47) had safely negotiated much of the morning session on day five and there were hopes of an unlikely English victory looming when Australia spinner Nathan Lyon hurt his hamstring and was ruled out for the remainder of the Test.

But Marnus Labuschagne held on to a brilliant chance at slip to help dismiss Jacks and Boland finished the job to have Josh Tongue caught in the same spot as the Aussies clinched the victory in style.

The next Test begins on Boxing Day in Melbourne, with Lyon's fitness to be closely monitored prior to the match. Should the veteran be ruled out then Australia may turn to fellow off-spinner Todd Murphy, left-armer Matthew Kuhnemann or uncapped tweaker Corey Rocchiccioli.

Ashes schedule

First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-22 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-7 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21 (Australia won by 82 runs)
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8