Australia breathed a huge sigh of relief at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, holding their nerve to beat England and retain the Ashes with a 3–0 series lead.
But while the cricket was intense, the day also delivered one of those moments that reminds fans why sport is so special—captain Pat Cummins celebrating on the pitch with his young family.
Starc Shines as England Falters
The match wasn’t a stroll for the Australians.
England pushed hard in pursuit of a daunting 435-run target, threatening what could have been a historic chase.
But Mitchell Starc once again rose to the occasion, claiming three crucial wickets to blunt the visitors’ momentum.
The final wicket fell to Scott Boland, who dismissed Josh Tongue for just one run.
Boland’s breakthrough set off wild celebrations on the field, with the Australian players hugging, jumping, and letting the relief sink in before the celebrations continued in the changing room.
Cummins Shares Joy With Family
After the formal celebrations, Cummins returned to the pitch to meet his wife Becky and their young children, Albie and baby Edie.
The moment was pure warmth, with Cummins playing a quick game of kick-about with Albie and even giving him a piggyback around the oval.
Becky added a subtle tribute of her own, sporting nails painted with the number 423—the tally of Australian Test cricketers, marking her husband’s place in history.
She shared the shot on Instagram with the caption, “Forever @PatCummins,” highlighting her unwavering support as the family celebrated together.
On-Field Heroics and England’s Struggle
While family moments stole the headlines off the pitch, the cricket itself was compelling.
Starc dismantled England’s lineup, removing key batsmen like Will Jacks and Jofra Archer, with Marnus Labuschagne taking a stunning one-handed catch to seal Jacks’ fate. England’s chase faltered, and Boland’s dismissal of Tongue confirmed Australia’s triumph.
England captain Ben Stokes acknowledged the disappointment but remained pragmatic. “Knowing now that we can’t achieve what we set out to do here is obviously incredibly disappointing… There is still a hell of a lot to play for,” he said, pointing to the remaining two Tests.
Injury Worries Loom Over Australian Camp
The victory wasn’t without concern. Cummins, despite taking six wickets across both innings, admitted he isn’t fully fit after a lumbar issue sidelined him for the first two Tests.
“I doubt I’ll be playing Melbourne,” he said, emphasizing caution ahead of the next match.
Nathan Lyon’s injury also raised eyebrows.
The star spinner appeared on crutches after overstretching to stop a boundary, leaving his participation in the upcoming Tests in doubt.
Cummins acknowledged the potential loss, calling Lyon “pretty close to irreplaceable” but confident that other players could step up.
England’s 14-Year Wait Continues
With the victory, England remains unable to secure a Test win on Australian soil for the 14th consecutive year.
The Ashes remain with the home side for a 10th straight series.
Despite the heartbreak, the series still has two matches to play, and both teams will be looking to end on a high note.
What’s Next
Australia will head to Melbourne, hopeful to maintain dominance while managing key injuries, and England will regroup, searching for a breakthrough to finally claim a Test win in Australia.
While the series is settled, the drama, skill, and touching family moments at Adelaide Oval will linger in fans’ memories for years.
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