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Golden sun, savory pies and iconic stadiums - what more could an England cricket fan ask for?

Realistically, they'd hope for an Ashes series in Australia where they still have a chance to secure the famous trophy following the initial matches.

This is not the case on this occasion, however, after Australia's crushing 82-run win in Adelaide put the hosts with a 3-0 lead for the fourth straight contest on Australian grounds.

The Barmy Army, the organized fan base, have 3,000 fans traveling for the last two matches in the SCG and MCG.

There are also organized trips who will celebrate the holidays in Australia, as well as loved ones embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The Ryding Siblings

The Ryding siblings are four such fans.

The group had their flights and tickets booked for the fourth and fifth Tests "well ahead of time", hoping to witness a historic English victory.

Instead, they have watched Australia outplay the visitors in just a short period from their house in Penwortham, Lancashire.

"All my colleagues has been teasing me about it being over for the last two weeks," stated Sam Ryding.

"The hope was that we would have a meaningful contest still when we got there."

Fading Positivity

Optimism was high concerning a potential victory of securing a first win in 15 years for a victory down under ahead of the tour.

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.

The tourists - and their fans - will be desperate to avoid a dreaded 5-0 scoreline.

Alex said the "excitement and fun" of head coach Brendon McCullum's 'Bazball' in recent years had "reinvigorated" Test cricket for English supporters.

Yet the fans said they had minimal hopes for the fourth and fifth Tests - and all they are asking for from the players is "a show of spirit".

"All analysts alludes to it, but it all comes down to fortitude. 'This style has been become a phrase now that is just, like, nonsense cricket," commented another sibling.

"In a five-day Test match, you should hunker down. Wafting outside 'wide of off stump has not been part of the fundamentals, and that is mainly the fault the frontline batsmen."

Future Prospects

Prompted about he believed England will triumph in a Test in this Ashes series, Sam said: "The evidence suggests the Australians are superior at the moment."

"There is going to have to be several individuals that stands up for England and turns the game."

Despite the scoreline, the siblings are still looking forward to the trip.

"We will have a wonderful trip regardless," said Katie. "Our approach is that mindset."

"Naturally, it's a let-down we can't contest the series, but we have spent so much money by now."

"We'll enjoy celebrating the holidays in Australia. This will be mine and Rory's first time abroad over Christmas."

A schoolteacher, Katie is determined to make the most of the 21,000-mile round-trip as part of her seasonal break.

"As a backup plan, there's always golf to rely on," Katie concluded.