Pat Cummins has cemented his place in Ashes history, leading Australia to retain the famous urn after a tense victory in the third Test at Adelaide Oval. The win, sealed on a gripping fifth day, ensures the Ashes remain in Australian hands for at least another eighteen months.
Cummins Enters the Pantheon of Greats
The triumph marks Pat Cummins's third consecutive Ashes series as captain without surrendering the urn. This remarkable achievement places him among an illustrious group of Australian skippers. The only other captains to have accomplished this feat are Joe Darling, the iconic Don Bradman, Richie Benaud, Mike Brearley, Allan Border, and Mark Taylor.
The moment was made all the more poignant as Cummins embraced former captain Steve Smith on the field. Smith, who led the side to victory in the first two Tests while Cummins was absent, missed this decisive match. This avoided any awkwardness over credit, a scenario reminiscent of when Adam Gilchrist captained Ricky Ponting's team to a series win in India in 2004.
The Quest for an Elusive Prize in England
Despite this dominant period of home success, a significant goal remains unfulfilled for this experienced Australian core. They are yet to secure an outright series win in England. On their last two tours, they retained the Ashes with 2-2 draws, dropping the final Test at The Oval on both occasions. While retaining the urn is always framed as the primary objective, the desire for a definitive victory on English soil continues to motivate the squad.
This victory extends Australia's current streak of holding the Ashes to five series, a run that began with Smith's batting heroics in the 2017-18 home series. Only three Australian teams have enjoyed longer periods of dominance: six-series streaks from 1934-1951 and 1958-1968, and an eight-series reign from 1989-2003.
Can 'Dad's Army' March on to 2027?
Attention now turns to whether this ageing but formidable team can conquer England in 2027. The 'Dad's Army' jibes, dismissed before the series, have gained some traction due to a spate of injuries. Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were injured pre-series, Nathan Lyon tore a hamstring, and Smith missed the Adelaide Test. Usman Khawaja has battled back issues, while Scott Boland will be 38 by the next Ashes.
Yet, their performance has been devastating. Australia wrapped up this series in just 786.3 overs, a quicker pace than Warwick Armstrong's 1921 side (791.5 overs) and Steve Waugh's 2002-03 team (896.4 overs). Mitchell Starc, with 22 wickets at an average of 17, has been instrumental.
The clock is ticking for the veteran group. By the 2027 series, Cummins will be 34, Starc 37, Hazlewood 36, Lyon 39, and Smith 38. Their places in Ashes folklore are secure, but the lure of finally winning in England provides a compelling final chapter. As the next adventure glows on the horizon, it remains to be seen which of these champions will be drawn to its light for one last campaign.
