Seven cricket commentator Ricky Ponting has lashed a “disappointing” England after they crashed to a soul-sapping Ashes series loss on Sunday.

Australia retained Ashes within 11 days with an impressive 82-run win over England in the third test at the Adelaide Oval after victories in the first two tests.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Australia retain the Ashes with 3-0 demolition.

Ponting, who is arguably the best commentator of the sport, was quick to praise Australia’s performance but blasted England for not showing enough grit.

“It doesn’t get any better. The only way it gets better for Australia is if they go 4-0 up next week and 5-0 up at the end. That is the only way it can get better,” Ponting said on Channel 7.

“This is the pinnacle of our sport. The reason that we want to play the game as kids growing up in the backyard is all about moments like this, it’s all about Ashes cricket.”

The former captain couldn’t believe how easily Australia won the series when it looked evenly matched heading in.

“To think that we’re only 11 days into the series and Australia are now 3-0 up, they have been so dominant,” he said.

“There was a lot talked about in the build-up about how good England were, they’ve come in with their best team and best squad they’ve come with this century.

“Well, the series is done within 11 days — they’ve been very disappointing.

“I thought this would be a close series, I tipped Australia to win the series 3-2, but so far, they just haven’t turned up to play the brand of cricket that’s good enough to win an Ashes series.”

Meanwhile, England cricket captain Ben Stokes lamented his side’s performance.

“Obviously the dream we came here with is now over which is obviously incredibly disappointing,” he said.

“Everyone’s obviously hurting and quite emotional about it.

“We’ve got two more games to go, and that’s where the focus needs to switch to now.

“We came here with a goal in mind and we’ve not been able achieve that. It sucks but, we ain’t gonna stop.”

The win was soured by an injury to spin bowler Nathan Lyon who immediately felt for the top of his right hamstring after diving to field a ball on the fine-leg boundary on Sunday and took no further part in the clash.

The series triumph showed the maturity of the Australia side who suffered several setbacks including an injury to Josh Hazelwood that led him to miss the entire series, as well as captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja and Lyon being sidelined at various times throughout the series.

Next up is the Boxing Day Test at the MCG starting on Thursday where England will be desperately trying to save face before the final Test in Sydney and then flying back home.

Australia have a selection dilemma on their hands with a tough decision on who will go out of the side to accommodate the return of Smith.

They will also likely need a replacement for Lyon, while Cummins appears no certainty to play after missing the first two Tests through injury.