Australia Close In on Ashes Retention After Dominant Start to the Series

Australia are on the brink of securing the Ashes after just six days of action, carrying a 2-0 lead into the third Test in Adelaide on December 17. A draw will be enough for the hosts to retain the urn, marking a stark contrast to pre-series predictions that had questioned their strength.

England arrived with confidence and bold claims, including remarks from former fast bowler Stuart Broad, who called this Australia side the weakest since 2010. Those comments have not aged well. Despite the absence of injured pace leaders Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s replacements Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett have stepped up with commanding performances. Former Australian quick Brett Lee praised the depth on display, saying the country currently has enough talent to field two strong sides.

That depth was highlighted again when Australia ‘A’ overwhelmed England’s second-string team by an innings and 127 runs at Allan Border Field. Emerging players Fergus O’Neill, Cooper Connolly and Campbell Kellaway impressed, while former Test batter Nathan McSweeney sent selectors a powerful reminder with a double hundred.

The momentum Australia now enjoy contrasts sharply with the unease that surrounded the squad at the start of the series. In Perth, uncertainty loomed over the batting order as Jake Weatherald became Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner’s retirement. A back spasm kept Khawaja off the field in the first innings, forcing Marnus Labuschagne to step in, but the decisive moment came when he withdrew again in the second innings. Travis Head responded with a blistering 69-ball century that shifted the series firmly in Australia’s favour.

Former fast bowler Glenn McGrath said the team appeared transformed once Head took on the opening role. Labuschagne later noted that the confidence of Head and Weatherald carried into the Brisbane Test, where he, Steve Smith and Alex Carey all recorded rapid half-centuries.

Selectors now face a key decision ahead of the Adelaide Test: restore the fully fit Khawaja or continue with the in-form pair of Head and Weatherald.

Smith, who captained the side in Cummins’s absence, said Australia’s strength lies in adjusting quickly during play. He described the approach as responding “on the go” instead of waiting for breaks to rethink strategy.

Former captain Greg Chappell offered a blunt assessment of England’s struggles, arguing that their attacking “Bazball” style has faltered in Australian conditions. He said the challenges of larger grounds and more demanding pitches have exposed gaps in both planning and execution.

With Australia riding confidence and England searching for answers, the hosts appear poised to seal yet another Ashes triumph.