A well-drilled Australia is on the cusp of retaining the Ashes after just six days of cricket ¡ª not bad for a team that was lambasted by England great Stuart Broad before the series as Australia¡¯s weakest since 2010.

Australia is taking a 2-0 lead into the third test in Adelaide on Dec. 17 and needs only a draw to keep the famous urn and pile more humiliation on Ben Stokes¡¯ tourists.

Australia has put itself on the brink despite missing injured pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, with the performances of stand-ins Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett a reflection of its depth.