Ashes 2019: Australia form card

From getting whitewashed in Sri Lanka to losing to South Africa at home
to regaining The Ashes the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal to losing their first home series against India, Australian cricket has seen a lot unfold over the past three years.

They have witnessed the meteoric rise of Steven Smith, a century before lunch by David Warner, the rise of Nathan Lyon as one of the finest off-spinner, the return of Pat Cummins, Tim Paine’s appointment as captain, and an incessant search for Warner’s opening partner have all been part of this journey.

Australia had won their last series, but that was at home against Sri Lanka. However, to be fair, that was without Smith and Warner, both of whom will be back this time to boost the batting. Mitchell Starc’s wonderful form – albeit with the white ball – is another reason for encouragement.

How have Australia fared in the past three years? Let us find out.

Lost 0-3 in Sri Lanka, 2016: Lost by 106 runs at Pallekele, lost by 229 runs at Galle, lost by 163 runs at SSC

Lost 1-2 to South Africa at home, 2016-17: Lost by 177 runs at Perth, lost by an innings and 80 runs at Hobart, lost by 7 wickets at Adelaide

Beat Pakistan 3-0 at home, 2016-17: Won by 39 runs at Brisbane, won by an innings and 18 runs at Melbourne, won by 220 runs at Sydney

Lost 1-2 in India, 2016-17: Won by 333 runs at Pune, lost by 75 runs at Bengaluru, drew at Ranchi, lost by 8 wickets at Dharamsala

Drew 1-1 in Bangladesh, 2017-18: Lost by 20 runs at Mirpur, won by 7 wicket at Chattogram

Beat England 4-0 at home, 2017-18: Won by 10 wickets at Brisbane, won by 120 runs at Adelaide, won by an innings and 41 runs at Perth, drew at Melbourne, won by an innings and 123 runs at Sydney

Lost 1-3 in South Africa, 2017-18: Won by 118 runs at Durban, lost by 6 wickets at Port Elizabeth, lost by 322 runs at Cape Town, lost by 492 runs at Johannesburg

Lost 0-1 to Pakistan in the UAE, 2018-19: Drew at Dubai, lost by 6 wickets at Abu Dhabi

Lost 1-2 to India at home, 2018-19: Lost by 31 runs at Adelaide, won by 146 runs at Perth, lost by 137 runs at Melbourne, drew at Sydney

Beat Sri Lanka 2-0 at home, 2018-19: Won by an innings and 40 runs at Brisbane, won by 366 runs at Canberra