Australia Clinches The Win! Test 3 Day 5 Review!
Steve O'Keefe and Moises Henriques review a clinical Day 5 in Adelaide where Australia officially retained the Ashes, winning the series 3-0 in just 11 days of cricket.
11 Days of "Smacking" O'Keefe doesn't hold back, calling the series an "absolute smacking." He points out that England has lost the Ashes in the same timeframe as Nasser Hussain’s 2002-03 team, despite pre-tour promises of a better preparation. Henriques adds that England’s refusal to adapt their "ultra-aggressive" style, even when the situation demanded grit, invited Australia back into the game every time England looked to build momentum.
The "Kool-Aid" and the Toss Excuse O'Keefe expresses frustration with England’s "lack of accountability," specifically Zak Crawley’s comments about the toss. Despite winning two out of three tosses, Crawley suggested that losing them had been a major disadvantage. O'Keefe mocks this "drinking of the Kool-Aid," noting that England was simply beaten by a far superior team and that their record under the "Bazball" regime is floundering against top-tier sides like India and Australia.
Bravery vs. Recklessness Henriques offers a nuanced critique of England's batting, arguing that their version of "bravery" is actually a "weak way out." He explains that when under pressure, taking the easy option by searching for quick runs—like Harry Brook and Ben Duckett—is often a sign of feeling overwhelmed. True bravery in Test cricket, Henriques argues, is the ability to "batten down the hatches," absorb a world-class bowling spell, and wait for a better matchup later in the day.
Tactical and Personnel Failures The hosts dissect England’s "listless" bowling and poor preparation. O'Keefe highlights the absurdity of bowling coach Jeetan Patel not knowing the injury status of his captain and main strike bowler, Ben Stokes, on Day 3. Henriques questions England's selection policy, noting that consistent 1,000-run county cricketers are being overlooked for "dashers" who lack the tools to succeed on bouncy Australian wickets.
Looking Ahead to the MCG With the series decided, O'Keefe and Henriques ponder what’s next for both sides:
- England in Disarray: Will heads roll? O'Keefe suggests Ollie Pope's time at number three should be over. They also question if England will bother bringing in a specialist spinner for the nipping MCG wicket or stick with an all-pace attack.
- Australia’s Depth: Henriques notes that Australia has won 3-0 without even fielding their best XI, missing players like Steve Smith and Josh Hazlewood at various points.
- Selection Questions: The hosts tease upcoming debates on whether Usman Khawaja retains his spot and if Cameron Green should be moved down the order to reduce the pressure on his batting.
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
