How England lost the Ashes in five charts

Once more, England is competing for titles and spots in the Ashes series’ final two Tests.

Following their victory in Adelaide, Australia will now lead by 3-0, with games in Melbourne and Sydney in store.

Despite controversy over Australia’s top order entering the series, the hosts’ top-three batters scored 666 runs on an average of 41.6 runs, compared to 436 for the tourists, who were 44.2 respectively.

Of course, this is largely attributable to Australia’s masterstroke, which was prompted by Usman Khawaja’s back spasms, when number five Travis Head was promoted to start the first Test match in Perth.

Head’s victory in the match, which included one of the greatest Ashes centuries, earned him the victory in just two days and justified his unbroken promotion to the match’s opening with a sublime 170 in Adelaide.

Number three Marnus Labuschagne has hit two fifties while number three Jake Weatherald, who made his Perth debut, scored a crucial 72 in Brisbane despite more subpar performances.

In his previous two Test starts, England opener Zak Crawley, who came back from a pair in Perth, has scored 214 runs.

Since head coach Brendon McCullum took over in 2022, England have used the word “Bazball.” Yes, that word once more.

Australia has so far scored 4.34 against 3.78 runs, and they have made slightly more attacking shots (34% vs. 31%), which is higher than England’s 4.34.

These stats can be attributed in part to match situations, such as when Australia needed only 65 in Brisbane’s second innings to attack and get to their target in 10 overs.

The main difference between the two teams is how effective they are at attacking shots. Australia’s average of 46.9 is much better than England’s 31.4%.

Since their second innings in Brisbane, England have shown more willingness to adapt, but they also have problems in defense.

Australia were dismissed for 132 in their first innings of the first Test in Perth by England’s hyped, fast-paced pace attack, but they have struggled to be as effective since.

Since that first day in Perth, England may have struggled to find the right length to bowl at on each surface.

Comparing the sides’ accuracy on hitting a good length, which is defined as 5-7m from the stumps, is evidence to support complaints from commentators and pundits that England frequently bowled too short.

In comparison to England’s 77% (33 catches, 10 drops), the hosts have successfully taken 47 of their 55 chances and dropped eight of them.