In a calamitous episode all around Jamie, Baldy, and Raj wrap up the Ashes far too early in the Southern Hemisphere summer.

While England were (more) competitive in the final two days in Adelaide the native South Australians in Travis Head and Alex Carey won the day meaning Australia retained the urn in 11 days. Baldy - ruthless as ever - still wasn't totally satisfied and struggles to come to terms with what to do with Cameron Green, and who replaces the irreplaceable* Nathan Lyon.

For England, the questions go much deeper. Given that they looked much more competitive without an all-out attack mindset, what does Jamie think about their style of play? Raj guides Jamie through some delicate waters in assessing where England go from here.

Finally, Raj gives us the Cliff Notes version of what caught his eye in the immediate aftermath of the New Zealand x West Indies Test in Mount Maunganui in advance of a deeper dive into that series next week.

Merry Christmas to all our listeners and viewers from all of us here at the Top Order.

* Feels like a strange statement after leaving him out of the Brisbane Test but I'm fine with it - Baldy...

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