'People keep ribbing me' about the series concluding prior to my arrival.
Sunshine, meat pies and world-famous cricket grounds - what else would an Three Lions follower ask for?
Well, perhaps an contest for the urn in Australia where they retain a possibility to reclaim the urn following the initial matches.
This is not the case during this tour, after the hosts' dominant 82-run win in Adelaide gave Australia leading three-nil for the fourth consecutive series on their own soil.
The Barmy Army, the organized fan base, have thousands of supporters making the journey for the concluding fixtures in Sydney and Melbourne.
Furthermore, other tour groups who will be vacationing down under, as well as loved ones embarking on a dream holiday.
Fans with Booked Tickets
Four fans named Alex, Sam, Rory and Katie are among those affected.
Alex, Sam, Rory and Katie had their flights and tickets arranged for the Boxing Day and New Year Tests "12 months ago", anticipating a historic English victory.
From afar, they've seen Australia dismantle the tourists in just under two weeks from their family home in their hometown.
"People in the office has been teasing me about it being over for the last two weeks," stated Sam Ryding.
"Our expectation had been that we would have the series on the line upon our arrival."
Fading Positivity
There was plenty of positivity regarding the team's prospects of breaking a 15-year drought for a triumph on Australian soil prior to the first ball.
However, the situation is now looking at the possibility of extending their winless run in the country to 19 matches when the Boxing Day Test begins in the MCG on Christmas Day.
The England team - and their supporters - will be keen to prevent a clean sweep.
Alex said the "entertainment" of head coach the positive style of play in recent years had "reinvigorated" the longest format for followers of the team.
But the Ryding siblings said they had realistic outlooks for the final two games - and all they are requesting from the players is "a show of spirit".
"All analysts references this, but it all comes down to psychological strength. 'Bazball' has been elevated to a term now that is just, like, impractical batting," 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 batting lineup."
Looking Ahead
Prompted about he believed England will win a match in this Ashes series, one fan responded: "The evidence suggests the hosts are a stronger side at the moment."
"There is going to have to be multiple performers that delivers for the team and turns the game."
Despite the scoreline, the group remains anticipating the trip.
"We will have a great time anyway," said Katie. "We must adopt that mindset."
"Obviously it is a let-down we don't have more to play for, but we have invested a significant amount by now."
"We will make the most of having Christmas and New Year out there. It is also our first experience traveling during the festive period."
An educator, Katie is intent on maximizing the 21,000-mile round-trip as part of her Christmas holidays.
"Should the cricket disappoint, I can play golf to fall back on," she finished.
