AUS VS ENG 3RD TEST

Right then! The Boxing Day Test has folded up quickly. Australia with an unassailable lead of 3-0. From MCG now we move to Sydney as the 4th Test between Australia and England will start on Wednesday, 5th January 2022 at 10.30 am local (11.30 pm GMT, previous day). Till then, Adios!

Easy to guess who will be the Player of the Match! The local boy, Scott Boland is the Player of the Match for his outstanding figures of 4-1-7-6. He says that even he can't believe what happened. Adds that he was told during Christmas eve in the morning that he is making his debut. Tells that things have changed since and he just wanted to make an impact. He appreciates the crowd for supporting him. Ends by saying that he is very happy to win the Player of the Match award.

Joe Root, the skipper of England, says that they have been playing in these conditions for a while and adds that they have to concentrate on what's ahead of them, he credits Australia and says that they blew them away. On being asked about how he feels about his team's performance, he replies that the way they went about their cricket was good, and credits his teammates, for giving them a chance to win this game. Concludes by saying, there were pockets where they had done well, but they need to just stay strong and look forward to the next game.

Pat Cummins, the winning skipper, he smiles when Adam Gilchrist tells him that he is now an Ashes winning captain. Says everything clicked for them and he is so happy for Scott Boland, who did well in front of his home crowd. Adds that they were relentless with both bat and the ball. Tells that all around they were brave and he is very happy. Says that Michael Neser was good but he did not get a chance for another match but it is a happy squad. Tells that any Ashes series stands as the watch-out series. Concludes by saying, they have dominated the last few Ashes and they want to make an identity for the new few years.

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Now, what next for England, the Ashes is already out of hands now. They will have to wait to win back the Ashes. Talking about the remainder of this series, they can shuffle things up, play with more freedom, and at least avoid a whitewash.

A dominant display from Australia. They needed 6 wickets to win and it didn't take a full morning session as well. In a blink of an eye, the whole of England innings got vanished. The visitors started well with Root and Stokes showing some intent but it did not last much. Stokes fell and that opened the gates for Australia and Joe Root's wicket was the final nail in the coffin. Scott Boland was incredible, he ended with the figures of 4-1-7-6 and wrapped things up quickly.

Scott Boland has equaled the record for the fastest five-wicket haul in 19 balls. Ernie Toshack and Stuart Broad are the other two players to take a five-wicket haul in 19 deliveries.

AUSTRALIA WIN THE SERIES AND HAVE RETAINED THE ASHES. Before the start of the morning session, not even Scott Boland would have believed if someone had shown these figures to him. Someone pinch and tell him, this is not a dream. The results were inevitable but this would fold up so early was not deemed of. Scott Boland leads as the players of Australia applause the spectators. Australia win by an innings and 14 runs.

OUT! TIMBER! Dominance, just dominance from Australia! Green takes his first wicket and runs with joy. Incredible scenes here at MCG! A cracker of delivery to seal the series though. This was on a length and around off, it lands and shapes in sharply. James Anderson is squared up as he looks to defend and the ball hits the off stump.

We can see Ben Stokes sitting in the dugout with his head down. Not a good sight for England fans.

Fuller delivery, outside off. Jos Buttler pushes it to covers and scampers through to the other end, which brings James Anderson on strike. Australia will be happy with that.

A short ball, down the leg side. Jos Buttler looks to pull but misses.

On a length, outside off. Jos Buttler looks to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Length and on off. James Anderson defends it out.

Length and outside off. Left alone.

Anti-climax! A length ball, on middle. James Anderson tucks it to deep square leg for a brace. The crowd is shouting Boalnd! Boland! Boalnd! They are loving the home boy right now.