Australia captain Pat Cummins expressed regret over the “key moments we didn’t get right” as his dream of leading the side to an Ashes series win in England fell short on Monday.

During the fifth and final Test at The Oval, Australia had a chance to pull off an improbable victory, being at 264-3 while chasing a massive target of 384. A draw would have been enough to seal the series, but unfortunately, they suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last seven wickets for 70 runs. This resulted in England winning by 49 runs, ending the series in a 2-2 draw, mirroring the outcome of the 2019 Ashes.

Cummins emphasized the significance of key partnerships in batting that could have potentially turned the tide in their favor throughout the series.

Although Monday’s defeat prevented Australia from securing their first Ashes series win in England since 2001, they retained the urn with the 2-2 draw. Cummins acknowledged that the tour was successful overall, given the triumph in the World Test Championship and the retention of the Ashes.

However, he regretted the absence of off-spinner Nathan Lyon due to a tour-ending calf injury during the second Test at Lord’s, highlighting Lyon’s importance in all conditions.

Cummins acknowledged the pressure of the Ashes, which tends to define eras and legacies, and stated that his team would be judged based on their performance in this series. He expressed pride in retaining the Ashes in the last two series in England, considering it an exceptional achievement for the team.