🔗 Share this article

Beautiful weather, classic snacks and legendary venues - what more could an supporter of the English team possibly want?

Realistically, they'd hope for an contest for the urn in Australia where they still have a chance to win back the Ashes once the opening games are done.

Unfortunately, this scenario is off the table this time, though, after Australia's crushing triumph in Adelaide put the hosts 3-0 up for the fourth successive Ashes series on their own soil.

The Barmy Army, England's supporters' group, have 3,000 fans traveling for the final two Tests in the SCG and MCG.

Furthermore, other tour groups who will be vacationing overseas, as well as families and friends planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Fans with Booked Tickets

A group of four supporters are four such fans.

The group had their itineraries and entry credentials booked for the Boxing Day and New Year Tests "well ahead of time", hoping to witness a long-awaited triumph.

Sadly, they've observed Australia defeat England convincingly in just under two weeks from their family home in Penwortham, Lancashire.

"Everyone at work has been making comments that the series is done for the last two weeks," commented one sibling.

"The hope was that we would have something to play for still when we got there."

Lowered Expectations

Hope was abundant concerning a potential victory of ending their 15-year wait for a series win in Australia prior to the first ball.

But they are now staring down the barrel of prolonging a streak without victory in the country to 19 matches when the next match starts in Melbourne on Thursday, 25 December.

Ben Stokes' side - and their supporters - will be keen to prevent a clean sweep.

Alex said the "excitement and fun" of head coach Brendon McCullum's 'Bazball' in recent years had "reinvigorated" the five-day game for followers of the team.

But the Ryding siblings said they had realistic outlooks for the final two games - and all they are asking for from the players is "a bit of fight".

"Commentators consistently alludes to it, but it all comes down to mental resilience. 'The aggressive approach has been turned into a buzzword now that is just, like, unrealistic play," commented another sibling.

"In a five-day Test match, you should dig in. Wafting outside 'outside the line has never been in the fundamentals, and that is primarily due to the top order."

Looking Ahead

Prompted about he believed England will triumph in a Test in this contest, came the reply: "The evidence suggests the Aussies are just too good right now."

"It will require multiple performers that makes a significant contribution and turns the game."

Even with the series lost, the fans are excited about the trip.

"We are going to have a wonderful trip nonetheless," said Katie. "We must adopt that outlook."

"Naturally, it's a let-down we can't contest the series, but we have invested a significant amount already."

"We will make the most of spending the festive season out there. This will be a new experience for us traveling during the festive period."

An educator, Katie is determined to make the most of the long-haul travel as part of her seasonal break.

"If all else fails, I've got golf to fall back on," Katie concluded.