Sky Sports Cricket Podcast The Ashes Daily: England beaten in Adelaide as Australia retain Ashes.
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Dec 21, 2025 Hosts reflect on the dramatic conclusion in Adelaide, where Australia clinched The Ashes with an 82-run victory. England struggled throughout the series, playing catch-up from the start. Praise is given to Marnus Labuschagne for his outstanding fielding. Concerns about England's preparation and match readiness are discussed, alongside selection choices that may have cost them. Despite Australian injuries, England's underperformance raises questions. The hosts end on a hopeful note with Ben Stokes promising a fight in the coming tests.
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Preparation Shortfall Explained
- England spent the tour playing catch-up after being underprepared for true Ashes intensity.
- The lack of match-ready conditioning and intense warm-up cricket left them exposed on bouncy pitches.
Labuschagne's Catching Defined Moments
- Ath praises Marnus Labuschagne's catching as decisive in clinching the series.
- He highlights a series of stupendous catches that summed up Australia's fielding excellence.
Warm-Up With Intense Red-Ball Cricket
- Do play intense, red-ball warm-ups on bouncy surfaces before Test matches in Australia.
- Avoid relying on low-intensity or white-ball prep that won't simulate genuine Ashes conditions.