England have conceded the Ashes urn in just 11 days in Australia, equalling their quickest defeat in a post-war away Ashes series.
Despite going into the series billed as the England side most likely to challenge Australia on home turf since 2011, England have slumped to one of their most dispiriting Ashes defeats of all time. Having lost the first Test in just two days, they slumped to a four-day defeat in Brisbane before the series result was sealed before Tea on day five in Adelaide. That brings the total days needed for the destination of the Ashes urn to be decided to 11, spread across a month Down Under.
England have suffered many-a embarrassing loss in Australia, but this one feels the most demoralising. They went into the series with their fastest bowling attack for an away Ashes series in living memory, a batting order set to take on Australia's uncompromising quicks and an approach hell-bent on not taking a backward step. Equally, Australia were battling significant injuries and form concerns going into the opening Test. Instead of capitalising, England were undone in record-equalling time.
ALSO READ: With or without Bazball, Australia are just better than England
As a result, England's record of only five away Ashes wins since the Second World War still stands. More depressingly from England's point of view, the number of Ashes series in Australia they have lost in fewer than 15 days now exceeds their tally of series wins.
England's shortest-ever Ashes defeats in Australia
2013/14 – 14 days
Given the place 2013/14 occupies in England fans' memories, it's surprising it comes in so low on this list. It took 14 days for England to lose the urn, which they'd held for three consecutive series beforehand. We all remember how it went – Mitchell Johnson tore in from the first Test, which England lost in the final session of day four, careers were ended and England's world-beaters disintegrated. Although 14 days is the official figure for this one, there were some rain interruptions during the first and second Tests, so you could make an argument for England's hopes in this series lasting less than 14 days technically.
1990/91 – 13 days
Although the 3-0 scoreline was only decided in the final Test in 1990/91, with draws in the third and fourth, the urn's destination was sealed from Test number three. Australia won the first two Tests in three and five days respectively, with Terry Alderman proving too much for the tourists in the first and Bruce Reid taking 13 wickets in the second. It wasn't all doom and gloom for England, David Gower scored a century in the second Test in Melbourne with Angus Fraser taking six-for in the same game. Gower racked up another century in the third Test, which thanks to an enterprising declaration from Graham Gooch was alive until the final session of day five, but it ultimately ended in a draw. Given Australia held the urn going into the series, that result put paid to England's hopes of wrestling it back.
ALSO READ: Ranking England’s last 15 Ashes Tests in Australia from least to most devastating
2021/22 – 12 days
The second of the four 21st century entries on this list, the 2021/22 series only narrowly lasted longer than the current edition. The series was dogged by Covid-19 protocols, players and staff entering self-isolation, and Australia's superiority. The first day of the series was cut short by rain but it was still enough for England to be routed for 147. Australia completed a nine-wicket win after Lunch on day four, but had to wait for victory in the second Test until late on day five. The third Test was an infamous England loss at the MCG, where Scott Boland took six second innings wickets to bowl them out for 68 and seal the series on day three of the Boxing Day Test. Twelve days of pain, and the urn was gone.
1950/51 – 11 days
That the 1950/51 series makes this list is remarkable, given that the Test matches in the series were six-day games with eight-ball overs, and each day consisted of only five hours of play. Few gave England a prayer before the series, despite Don Bradman's retirement, and they were proved right. The first Test was a feverish scramble. Australia were bowled out for 228 on day one and rain washed out day two and delayed play until the afternoon of day three. The downpour had turned the pitch into a 'gluepot' and, struggling to cope with the surface, England's captain Freddie Brown declared when his side were 68-7 and still 160 behind to force Australia to bat on it. Australia then promptly declared when they were reduced to 32-7, and England were bowled out for 122 before the close.
After the first Test was decided on day three, but technically after two days play, the second was a thriller which Australia won by 28 runs on day four. It took them another four days to complete an innings victory in the third, meaning they retained the urn after 11 official days.
2002/03 – 11 days
The toss on day one of the 2002/03 series set the tone. Nasser Hussain's notorious decision to bowl first set the course for one of England's darkest days at the Gabba. Dropped catches and Simon Jones' blood curdling knee injury left England's hopes in tatters. Matthew Hayden's twin centuries and Glenn McGrath's eight wickets secured Australia a 384-run win on day four. Their margin of victory in the next Test was even bigger, with an innings and 51-run win being reached on day four. The urn's home was officially Australia for the next two years at least when England capitulated inside three days at the WACA, 11 days after Hussain chose to bowl at The Gabba.
2025/26 – 11 days
And this is where we've ended up. The rest of the series still promises some intrigue – Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon are both doubts for the rest of it, and England were closer in Adelaide. Nevertheless, nothing will change the fact that the side who were billed as the strongest to tour Australia for over a decade have equalled their record for losing a series in the shortest time possible.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
