Just over two decades ago, Nasser Hussain’s England touring side lost the Ashes in record time for a five-match series in Australia.
After suffering devastating losses in the first three Tests, the 2002-03 Ashes were gone in 11 hugely forgettable days.
Now, with the first two Tests in the current Ashes series lasting just six days combined, an unwanted piece of history is staring Ben Stokes, Brendan McCullum and the highly-touted England squad squarely in the face—the fastest ever Ashes series loss.
In the tourist’s favour is an Adelaide Oval track expected to be far more conducive to England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach than the hard and bouncy pitches seen in Perth and Brisbane.
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However there are no guarantees of success, particularly given the erratic and frequently self-destructive English batting performances so far this series.
Should the third Test follow a similar script and culminate in yet another England loss, the prized Ashes urn will remain in Australian hands for another cycle.
If it were to happen before the fifth day in Adelaide, Ben Stokes will return home to England with nothing more than an embarrassing piece of Ashes history.