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Sunshine, meat pies and world-famous cricket grounds - what more could an England cricket fan ask for?

Ideally, they'd want an Ashes series in Australia where they still have a chance to secure the famous trophy after the first three Tests.

Unfortunately, this scenario is off the table during this tour, after a comprehensive 82-run win in Adelaide left the home side with a 3-0 lead for the fourth consecutive series on their own soil.

England's famous supporters' group, England's supporters' group, have a large group flying out for the concluding fixtures in Sydney and Melbourne.

There are also tour groups who will be vacationing in Australia, as well as relatives and companions embarking on a special expedition.

Fans with Booked Tickets

A group of four supporters are a prime example.

Alex, Sam, Rory and Katie had their itineraries and entry credentials arranged for the Boxing Day and New Year Tests "well ahead of time", hoping to witness a historic English victory.

From afar, they've seen Australia outplay the visitors in just a short period from their house in their hometown.

"People in the office has been making comments about it being over for the last two weeks," commented one sibling.

"The hope was that we would have a meaningful contest still when we got there."

Diminishing Hope

Hope was abundant regarding the team's prospects of breaking a 15-year drought for a series win in Australia before it began.

Yet now they are looking at the possibility of extending their winless run in the country to 19 consecutive Tests when the next match starts in Melbourne on Thursday, 25 December.

The England team - and their fans - will be desperate to avoid a whitewash.

One sibling noted the "excitement and fun" of head coach Brendon McCullum's 'Bazball' in recent times had "reinvigorated" the five-day game for followers of the team.

Yet the fans said they had realistic outlooks for the fourth and fifth Tests - and all they are requesting from the players is "some resilience".

"Every pundit references this, but it all is about mental resilience. 'The aggressive approach has been elevated to a term now that is just, like, unrealistic play," stated Rory Ryding.

"In a five-day Test match, you should dig in. Chasing balls 'outside the line has never been in the coaching manuals, and that is mainly the fault the frontline batsmen."

The Remaining Matches

When questioned if he believed England will secure a victory in this Ashes series, Sam said: "The evidence suggests the Australians are superior at the moment."

"It will require multiple performers that stands up for England and produces a match-winning display."

Regardless of the result, the fans are anticipating the trip.

"It will be a wonderful trip anyway," commented Katie Ryding. "We must adopt that mindset."

"Obviously it is a let-down we can't contest the series, but we have invested a significant amount by now."

"We plan to savor having Christmas and New Year out there. It is also a new experience for us abroad at this time of year."

An educator, Katie is determined to make the most of the 21,000-mile round-trip as part of her seasonal break.

"If all else fails, I can play golf to rely on," she added.