As England suffered a humiliating 0-3 series setback against Australia with two tests remaining in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26, the Australian media has left no stone unturned to mock England and the famed ‘Bazball.’

With two games remaining after England's 82-run defeat in the third Test at the Adelaide Oval on December 21, the Ashes were won, sparking a barrage of critical comments from all over Australia.

A day later, The West Australian published a fake and mocking obituary for England's much-anticipated "Bazball" ideology, which many perceived as the harshest assessment to date.

The humorous article made purposeful comparisons to cricket history, including the well-known Sporting Times obituary from 1882 that eventually led to the creation of the Ashes. But this time, England's extremely aggressive Test strategy, led by captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, was the goal.

“An affectionate remembrance of Bazball, which died at the Oval on 21st December 2025. Deeply lamented by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, but basically no one else. R.I.P. Australia wins the Ashes, beating woeful Poms in just three matches and 11 days of cricket," read the mock obituary.  

The word reflected how against an experienced Australian team that relied on perseverance, self-control, and a thorough grasp of local conditions, England's audacious strategy had failed. After reviving their Test fortunes with bold batting and attacking declarations, England came to Australia riding high.

Stokes and McCullum were committed to applying the same fast-paced approach to the most difficult Test assignment in the world. But it was soon clear that there had been little planning. Before the series, England had only one warm-up match, an internal practice match against a second-string team, and they were exposed as soon as the Ashes started.

Australia had won the first two tests by 8 wickets each in Perth and Brisbane, and while England managed to stretch the third test in Adelaide to the fifth day, they suffered a defeat by 82 runs.

McCullum said that the team might have pushed too hard in between games as a reaction to the crushing losses. Before the Adelaide Test, the team's training schedule was scaled back, and players were sent to the seaside resort of Noosa to recuperate.

Australia's triumph highlighted the disparity between the two teams under familiar circumstances and guaranteed them the Ashes with games remaining.

England will have some time off before facing Australia in the fourth Test in Melbourne from December 26 onwards.