Australia continued their dominance in world cricket by securing an emphatic 82-run victory over England in the third Test of the Ashes series at Adelaide. With this win, the hosts have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match Test series, officially retaining the prestigious Ashes trophy. The result has also had a major impact on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, further strengthening Australia’s position at the top.
Australia tighten grip on WTC top spot
Following their third consecutive win in the Ashes, Australia have consolidated their position at the number one spot in the WTC standings. The Kangaroos currently boast a perfect win percentage of 100, underlining their consistency and dominance in the longest format. This latest victory has widened the gap between Australia and the chasing pack, putting them firmly in control of their World Test Championship campaign.
🚨 WTC POINTS TABLE IN 2025-27 CYCLE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1ipsUE3d05
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 21, 2025
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South Africa sit second on the table with a win percentage of 75, while New Zealand occupy third place with 66.67. Sri Lanka are placed fourth, Pakistan fifth, and India currently stand sixth with a win percentage of 48.15. With several series still to come, the battle for the top two spots remains intense, but Australia have given themselves a massive advantage.
England’s fight falls short in fourth innings
Chasing a challenging target of 435 runs in the fourth innings, England showed intent and resilience but ultimately fell short. The English batters made a strong effort to save the match, yet they could not withstand Australia’s disciplined bowling attack. England were bowled out for 352, handing Australia a convincing win by 82 runs.
Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were the standout performers with the ball in the second innings, picking up three wickets each. Their timely breakthroughs ensured England never truly threatened to pull off an unlikely chase.
England suffer major setback in WTC race
The loss has severely dented England’s hopes in the World Test Championship. After suffering their third straight defeat, England’s win percentage has dropped to just 27.08. They now find themselves near the bottom of the table, ahead of only Bangladesh and West Indies.
With limited matches left in the current WTC cycle, England’s path to reaching the final looks increasingly difficult. The team will need a dramatic turnaround in form to revive their campaign.
Ashes dominance continues for Australia
Australia’s control over the Ashes series has once again highlighted their strength at home. In the third Test, they set England a daunting target of 435 runs, built on solid batting performances across both innings. The bowlers then stepped up to complete the job, sealing the match and the series in style.
With a 3-0 lead and two Tests still to play, Australia will now aim to extend their dominance further, while England will look to salvage pride. For now, the Kangaroos reign supreme both in the Ashes and at the top of the World Test Championship table.
