Australia thrashed England by an innings and 14 runs in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday (December 28) to retain the Ashes.
Resuming their second innings at 31/4 on Day 3, England’s middle and lower order capitulated as Australia’s debutant fast bowler Scott Boland wreaked havoc, taking six wickets to help bundle out the visitors for a paltry 68.
It was an embarrassing batting performance from England, with only skipper Joe Root (28) and Ben Stokes (11) reaching the double-digit mark.
Boland returned with the astonishing bowling figures of 6 for 7 in the second innings while left-arm pace Mitchell Starc bagged three wickets as the hosts skittled England in just 27.4 overs.
The Aussies needed just a draw in the third Test to regain the urn but with this victory, they have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series.
Cricket fraternity slammed England's abject surrender in Melbourne and praised Australia for retaining the Ashes in a ruthless fashion.
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