Australia crush England fightback to retain Ashes in Adelaide

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ADELAIDE, Dec 21 - Australia swept to an 82-run win in the third Ashes test at Adelaide Oval on Sunday to retain the urn with two matches to spare and leave England facing recriminations over another failed campaign.

Chasing a world record 435 runs to win, England battled doggedly on day five but folded for 352, with left-arm quick Mitchell Starc taking three wickets and Scott Boland the last dismissal of Josh Tongue before tea.

Three-nil is hugely satisfying for many reasons but particularly with how the chat before the series was how equally poised it was going to be, Australia captain Pat Cummins, who took six wickets on his return from a back injury, told reporters

This groups amazing at just cracking on.Much of the talk in the build-up to the Ashes had been the age profile of the Australia squad but Starc said the veterans had proved their worth.

We do laugh at some of the comments that get back to us about how old we are, the 35-year-old added.

Im sure experience plays a part going through your highs and lows .... That plays a big part in all of this.

After eight-wicket defeats in Pert and Brisbane, England have now lost the Ashes in three matches for the fourth consecutive tour, while losing 16 of their last 18 tests in the country.

Though two tests remain, the latest surrender may top the previous tours for sheer disappointment.

There were expectations of a genuine contest, fighting words from England captain Ben Stokes, and hope that Bazball might win the urn in Australia for the first time since 2010/11.

All that was swept aside in Adelaide where