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Sunshine, meat pies and world-famous cricket grounds - what more could an Three Lions follower possibly want?

Ideally, they'd want an contest for the urn in Australia where they still have a chance to secure the famous trophy once the opening games are done.

That will not be happening on this occasion, however, after the hosts' dominant 82-run win in Adelaide left the home side leading three-nil for the fourth consecutive series on home turf.

The loyal traveling fans, the organized fan base, have 3,000 fans traveling for the concluding fixtures in Sydney and Melbourne.

There are also travel parties who will be vacationing in Australia, as well as relatives and companions planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The Disappointed Travelers

The Ryding siblings are a prime example.

Alex, Sam, Rory and Katie had their flights and tickets booked for the fourth and fifth Tests "well ahead of time", dreaming of a historic English victory.

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 giving me grief that the series is done for the last two weeks," commented one sibling.

"Our expectation had been that we would have something to play for by the time we arrived."

Fading Positivity

Hope was abundant regarding the team's prospects of securing a first win in 15 years for a series win in Australia prior to the first ball.

Yet now they are staring down the barrel of continuing a barren spell in the country to 19 matches when the fourth Test gets under way in Melbourne this week.

The England team - and their supporters - will be keen to prevent a whitewash.

One sibling noted the "thrill and enjoyment" of head coach Brendon McCullum's 'Bazball' in the past couple of seasons had "renewed interest in" the longest format for followers of the team.

However, the group said they had minimal hopes for the fourth and fifth Tests - and all they are requesting from the players is "a show of spirit".

"Every pundit references this, but it all is about mental resilience. 'Bazball' has been become a phrase now that is just, like, impractical batting," added Rory.

"Over the course of five days, you should dig in. Chasing balls 'outside the line has not been part of the textbooks, and that is primarily due to the frontline batsmen."

Future Prospects

Prompted about he believed England will triumph in a Test in this Ashes series, came the reply: "It appears the Aussies are just too good at the moment."

"Necessarily, there must be multiple performers that stands up for England and makes a big impact."

Despite the scoreline, the fans are looking forward to the trip.

"We are going to have a fantastic experience anyway," added another sibling. "Our approach is that mindset."

"Naturally, it's disappointing we can't contest the series, but we have spent so much money as it is."

"We plan to savor having Christmas and New Year out there. This will be mine and Rory's first time traveling over Christmas."

An educator, Katie is focused on enjoying the lengthy journey as part of her Christmas holidays.

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