(Cricket news) Australia have retained the Ashes and it looked as if they did it without dropping a bead of sweat. The Aussies won the 3rd Test by an innings and 14 runs. England fell apart on the 3rd day itself. 

The visitors didn't have any real hope of rescuing the match at the start of day 3 but the game was done and dusted way earlier than anyone expected. They started the day on 31/1 trailing by 51 runs. Joe Root and Ben Stokes started the day with a few glorious strokes but Stokes was cleaned up by Mitchell Starc shortly after. Scott Boland who picked up two wickets in his one over at the end of day 2 came into the attack and produced an edge of Jonny Bairstow in the very first ball but the catch was dropped, 3 balls later he trapped Bairstow in front and got the wicket. The debutant picked up the prized wicket of Joe Root in the very next over. In his 4th over Boland then picked up the wickets of Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson as he finished his 2nd international innings at 6/7. Cameron Green wasted no time as he clean bowled James Anderson as Australia retained the Ashes.

The thing that would hurt England the most is that this Australian side isn't even the strongest one. Even after missing Josh Hazelwood for 2 matches and Pat Cummins for 1 match, Australia have overpowered England in this series and how. Scott Boland made his international debut at the age of 32 and picked up 7 wickets. Micheal Neser debuted in the 2nd Test and picked up 2 wickets. Despite losing the series, England still have a lot to play for in terms of the World Test Championship points. They have already been docked a few points due to slow over rate. Root and co. will be hoping to win at least one of the remaining two games to avoid a whitewash and get some points in the process. 

Also read: Former captains 'embarrassed' at England's Ashes surrender