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Sunshine, meat pies and world-famous cricket grounds - what more could an supporter of the English team desire?

Well, perhaps an contest for the urn in Australia where they retain a possibility to reclaim the urn once the opening games are done.

That will not be happening during this tour, after Australia's crushing victory by 82 runs in Adelaide put the hosts 3-0 up for the fourth consecutive series on Australian grounds.

England's famous supporters' group, England's supporters' group, have 3,000 fans making the journey for the concluding fixtures in the SCG and MCG.

In addition, there are travel parties who will celebrate the holidays overseas, as well as families and friends heading for a dream holiday.

The Ryding Siblings

A group of four supporters are four such fans.

Alex, Sam, Rory and Katie had their travel arrangements and match passes secured for the Melbourne and Sydney matches "well ahead of time", dreaming of a rare England series success.

Instead, they have watched Australia defeat England convincingly in just under two weeks from their house in the north of England.

"Everyone at work has been teasing me about it being over for the last two weeks," commented one sibling.

"We always thought that we would have something to play for still when we got there."

Lowered Expectations

Optimism was high concerning a potential victory of breaking a 15-year drought for a triumph on Australian soil before it began.

However, the situation is now looking at the possibility of prolonging a streak without victory in the country to 19 matches when the next match starts in the MCG on Christmas Day.

The England team - and their supporters - will be hoping to sidestep a dreaded 5-0 scoreline.

Alex said the "entertainment" of head coach the positive style of play in recent times had "reinvigorated" Test cricket for English supporters.

Yet the fans said they had realistic outlooks for the final two games - and all they are requesting from the players is "a bit of fight".

"Every pundit alludes to it, but it all is about mental resilience. 'This style has been elevated to a term now that is just, like, impractical batting," added Rory.

"Over the course of five days, you should hunker down. Playing at deliveries 'sixth stump' areas has never been in the textbooks, and that is primarily due to the frontline batsmen."

Future Prospects

Prompted about he believed England will secure a victory in this Ashes series, Sam said: "The evidence suggests the Aussies are just too good currently."

"Necessarily, there must be several individuals that delivers for the team and produces a match-winning display."

Regardless of the result, the siblings are still anticipating the trip.

"It will be a great time nonetheless," commented Katie Ryding. "Our approach is that mindset."

"Obviously it is disappointing we aren't fighting for more, but we have invested a significant amount already."

"We'll enjoy spending the festive season in Australia. This will be a new experience for us away from home at this time of year."

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

"If all else fails, there's always golf to fall back on," she added.