The Ashes 2009

[Hip2bsquare]

Congratulations to England on a very deserved win. They out played the Aussies from the very first day and kept their foot pretty much on the Aussies throat the whole way.

The spell of bowling from Freddie in the morning session, and really thoughout the whole of the Test match was something to behold, there was no way that man was going to let England lose today, an inspiration. Swann grabbed some wickets, but still not impressed by him at all, not impressed.

So a ten day break, and a tour match for the Aussies before the Third test. The Aussies have a few selection dilemas to overcome, why the English have a couple of injury concerns.

Will be back with a Hip2bSquare review of the second test.

Sorry to nit pick Leeds Guy, is nost definately not the first time England have beaten the Aussie at Lords. In fact it is the 6th time, however it is the first time since 1934. Good news for us Aussies, we are able to come abck and win that series. Led well by some unknown guy called Don Bradman.

 

[The Todd]

75 years and it's gone. The Ashes Lord's jinx. It was all anticlimatic at the end. I was having visions of Edgbaston 2005. I thought it could end up that close but Freddie had other ideas. He has shown why he is one of the best strike bowlers in the world. He doesn't take bucketfuls of wickets, he takes key ones at key moments. He did it agains with Haddin early on. From then on it went from improbable to impossible for the Aussies.

There is no doubting we deserved to win the test but Australia must be praised for their never-say-die attitude. To get within 120 runs was a monumental team effort. Michael Clarke is an immense batsmen who batted superbly, though he will be disappointed with his dismissal from Swann.

Speaking of the spinner, he certainly saved his place for Edgbaston. Monty had him under some real pressure and Swanny delivered the goods. Superb bowling on day five.

Jimmy Anderson was anonymous in the second innings but his first innings bowling and his knock with the bat was key. He could well have been Man of the Match if it wasn't for Freddie.

Strauss still has criticisms for his captaincy but there is no doubting his batting. Cook was unlucky, but he really needs to convert more 50s into 100s. KP was woeful again but he has an excuse this time. If his achilles is that bad, then drop him. Ian Bell has an average of 80.00 for Warwickshire so I would give him a go at Edgbaston and possibly Harmison for Broad or Onions (depends on how bad Onions injury is)

As for Australia all their batsmen have delivered once so far except for Hughes. He is looking very shaky at the top of the order and he will need a big score to ease the worries. It is the bowling that is affecting the Aussies. Lee should be fit for the next test so that should help.

Finally, man of the match was undoubtedly Freddie. His bowling won the match in the end and his knock of 30 was vintage Freddie.

Let's hope this high standard of cricket continues into next week.

 

[The Todd]

Kevin Pietersen is missing the rest of the series. I'm actually a bit happy about this. He hasn't turned on the goods for a while, in any format of the game. Tiredness, burnout and injuries have all been blamed but it is time for him to take a step back, regain fitness and form, and be ready for the winter tour in South Africa. That tour will mena more to him anyway.

As for his replacement it has to be Ian Bell. He has struggled at number three, but hopefully number four suits him better. This does put more pressure on Bopara to perform though. Bell has an average of over 80 at county level so he is in form. On his day he is a brilliant batsmen with a great technique. Hopefully a couple of big centuries wil come his way in the future.

To finish off, thankfully this KP injury shouldn't overshadow the build up. The media need to focus on Freddie still and keep the positive attitude going. Anyone claiming our momentum has been ruined is speaking bullshit. We can survive without KP.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Well havent had much of a chance to get on here and write something meaningful. So ill bypass my second test full review and do it in short style.


Strauss and Cook did a good job, Australians batting sucked, Anderson bowled well, Aussies batting sucked again, Clarke and Haddin in great form, Hughes and M Hussey need runs, Mitch needs to learn how to bowl. Finally Freddie is a legend and ENgland deserved too win despite some dodgy decisions.

So that brings us where we are today, the eve of the Third Test match and Edgbaston. Still with a lot of questions to be answered about each side.

I find it odd the English supporters here downlaying the loss of their best batsman, in Kevin Pietersen, for the rest of the series saying its no huge loss and that Ian Bell will be able to take his place. That makes me laugh. Yes KP has been sadly out of form but even an out of form KP is better than Ian Bell, who is a hack of the highest order. Who do you think the Aussie bowlers would rather bowl to? KP or Ian Bell? Thats a no brainer. KP has the intimidation factor, like Freddie, and the Aussies do fear him. Take Haddin for example saying that the Aussie camp is glad that he is missing. If KP were to fire then he can take the Test away from you in the space of 20 overs so him missing is a big plus for the Aussies as Bell is nothing more than a plodder.

The injury cloud over Flintoff is very worrying for the English to. Flintoff doesnt play, England cant win.

Australia too have some questions over there team. Hughes' half century in the tour match will save his bacon imo and he will open up with Kaitch. I would bring Watson in for North, who either makes heaps or none, as I believe that Watson is the superior batsman and if he is fit a very handy 4th seam bowler. If the pitch spins I think Hauritz will keep his place and I feel and think that Mitch Johnson should be dropped for Stuey Clarke. If not then Hauritz gors out for Clark.

 

[The Todd]

Hip, what do you think about McDonald? He wa sin the wickets and the runs in the tour match. DOes he have a look in at all?

On to KP, Bell is not the same player KP is, but he is a lot safer. If he gets himself in he will make a big score, KP has a habit of getting himself in and getting out to a stupid shot. There is no more infuriating player than KP to watch. You'd hate to play against him but you hate to have him on your team. He hasn't performed for a while now, Bell has been so it is only right he gets a go.

Hopefully this match is as thrilling as the last Ashes test at Edgbaston, with the same outcome of course.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Hip, what do you think about McDonald? He wa sin the wickets and the runs in the tour match. DOes he have a look in at all?

On to KP, Bell is not the same player KP is, but he is a lot safer. If he gets himself in he will make a big score, KP has a habit of getting himself in and getting out to a stupid shot. There is no more infuriating player than KP to watch. You'd hate to play against him but you hate to have him on your team. He hasn't performed for a while now, Bell has been so it is only right he gets a go.

Hopefully this match is as thrilling as the last Ashes test at Edgbaston, with the same outcome of course.

Yeah I think Ronnie is some chance to play in the third test. Especially after his performance in the tour match. Both with the ball with 4/11 off 15 overs and with a half century in the unfamiliar openers role in the second dig.

He is a very steady bowler who will ball stump to stump and help build pressure, like he did in South Africa, as well as swing the ball. In state cricket he is a very good batsman, however despite a half century in the Third Test in South Africa I am not convinced he has what it takes with the bat at international level.

I have always been a Watson fan and the selectors have been trying to push him so I think and hope he will get the nod. He is a much better batsman than McDonald and is very good with the ball, able to ball 145km/h while Ronnie is not much more than a medium pacer. He can build pressure like he did in India. But the selectors may go the safe non injury prone way of McDonald. One of the 2 guys will be in the team.

If Hughes had failed in the tour match they would both be playing IMO. With Watto opening.

Yeah KP is a frustrating player, with all his talen he should be averaging in the 50's at international level and tearing attacks apart. I did hear Bell had been in form so I guess its fair he gets first crack. All I saw of him was get done by a beautiful reverse swinging ball by Brett Lee (god we miss him) in the tour match gainst the Lions for a Golden Duck.

 

[The Todd]

Yeah I think Ronnie is some chance to play in the third test. Especially after his performance in the tour match. Both with the ball with 4/11 off 15 overs and with a half century in the unfamiliar openers role in the second dig.

He is a very steady bowler who will ball stump to stump and help build pressure, like he did in South Africa, as well as swing the ball. In state cricket he is a very good batsman, however despite a half century in the Third Test in South Africa I am not convinced he has what it takes with the bat at international level.

I have always been a Watson fan and the selectors have been trying to push him so I think and hope he will get the nod. He is a much better batsman than McDonald and is very good with the ball, able to ball 145km/h while Ronnie is not much more than a medium pacer. He can build pressure like he did in India. But the selectors may go the safe non injury prone way of McDonald. One of the 2 guys will be in the team.

If Hughes had failed in the tour match they would both be playing IMO. With Watto opening.

Yeah KP is a frustrating player, with all his talen he should be averaging in the 50's at international level and tearing attacks apart. I did hear Bell had been in form so I guess its fair he gets first crack. All I saw of him was get done by a beautiful reverse swinging ball by Brett Lee (god we miss him) in the tour match gainst the Lions for a Golden Duck.

Yeah I'm a fan of Shane Watson too, he can be an invaluable player though I can't see him opening in a Test match. Then again, I never thought Katich would so what do I know.

Brett Lee is the player who would complete your team though. At his best he is my favourite bowler to watch in world cricket. High 90mph, aggression, swinging, yorkers, bouncers he is superb. If he gets fit and back to form England will struggle.

Bell does have a tendency to go out early but if he gets settled he usually hits a good score. He's not one to get out cheaply which is the most frustrating thing about KP. Yes KP is the better player but Bell has only really failed at number three, he bats better down the order. There is no harm in giving him a go, though one of him and Bopara needs to step up or we will be in trouble.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Yeah I'm a fan of Shane Watson too, he can be an invaluable player though I can't see him opening in a Test match. Then again, I never thought Katich would so what do I know.

Brett Lee is the player who would complete your team though. At his best he is my favourite bowler to watch in world cricket. High 90mph, aggression, swinging, yorkers, bouncers he is superb. If he gets fit and back to form England will struggle.

Bell does have a tendency to go out early but if he gets settled he usually hits a good score. He's not one to get out cheaply which is the most frustrating thing about KP. Yes KP is the better player but Bell has only really failed at number three, he bats better down the order. There is no harm in giving him a go, though one of him and Bopara needs to step up or we will be in trouble.

Im not sure of the merits of opening the batting with Watson at test level either. He had a go of doing it a while back with Queensland but failed pretty much. However he opens in ODI's and to me he is better further up the order than batting at 6 or 7.

Lee is one of my favorite players and bowlers, always has been. A lot of people give him grief, but the guy has over 300 test wickets. Not bad for a guy that played the majority of his career with Warne, McGrath and Gillespie thats not a bad effort. Miss his pace and swing and also aggression with the ball.

When Bell was in the team before I said he was never a number 3. So it will be interesting to see how he goes down the order. Id slot him in at 5, with Collingwood at 4. But either he or Bopara must make runs. If not and the openers fail to build a great partnership England maybe in trouble.

However Australia could do with a good opening partnership, would stop Ricky Ponting having to go to the crease early with the ball new. Ponting is a champion but you dont want your number 3 having to face the new ball all the time.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Repoerts are that Hughes has been axed from the third test team and has been replaced by Watson. While Im a huge fan of Watto (and his missus to) I feel that Hughes deserved at least one more test in the side as the opener. I mean he has only failed in two tests and his fresh of a half century. I dont think Wtason will open, bt Id like to see him slot in at number 4 as I feel he has the technique and tempremant to bat in the top order. In fact I believe he is more suited to 4 than he is to batting at 7 like he has in the past. This means that Hussey will move to the top of the order to open. He made his test debut as an opener and has been successful in the role at State and County level.

Very suprised that Mitch survived the chop.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Well a rained interrupted first days play in the Third Test. One where I cracked it and went to bed instead of watching the crap substitute shows that SBS showed during the delay.

All in all not a bad little session for the Aussies, 1/126 off 30 overs. The Katman got a little carried away and ahead of himself out LBW playing a silly shot when he had reached 44 off 48 balls. Watson did open the innings and batted well being unbeaten on 62. However from the sounds of the reports this morning the English bowlers were far from impressive and the pitch is a road.

Also congratulations to South Australian (go you Redbacks) captain Graham 'Choc' Manou on his test debut. Definately not expected at all, coming into the side for Haddin, after Haddin broke his finger. Also well done to Strauss who allowed Manou to come in for Haddin even though the teamsheets had already been submitted.

Hopefully Choc can keep well and make some runs. Perhaps proving some of the doubters over here in Australia. Graham also adds well to the Aussie Cricketers impressive enough WAGS.

Not a bad bunch, some of the others are not bad either.

 

[The Todd]

I like your way of keeping entertained during the rain delays, the pictures worked with me too. Anyway, our bowlers weren't on the boil at all. Yes the track is not good for the bowlers, but it was damp and cloudy; the ball was swinging but we did nothing with it. In those conditions to get one wicket, and that from a spinner whose ball didn't turn at all, was pathetic.

Watson impressed me. The aggressive start to test matches is a fun one, it brought back memories of Marcus Trescothic's (if only we still ahd him) innings at Edgbaston 2005. In that session we took early initiative, and that is exactly what Australia have done. Katich will be angry with himself for his dissmissal as today there is a shed load of runs in the offering.

Congratulations Ponting on passing 20,000 career runs. There is a hundred for the taking for him today. England need something special today or they will be chasing throughout this test.

 

[The Todd]

Graeme Onions. Durhm born and bred and he rips through the Aussies on day two to wrestle the initiative back in the third test. Two wickets with the first two balls of the day, and almost a clever hat-trick to round it off. he was one off the precious five-for, and he'd have got it if Freddie could catch!

Then along came Jimmy to record another five-for, superb from the Lancashire swing bowler. His bowling has been top notch and he has stepped up when Freddie has been faultering. The morning session was England pace bowling at it's best. The pressure they put the new batsmen under was brilliant, two hat trick opportunites in one session!

As for the batting, Bopare is lucky we have no one else to bat at three because he is getting out cheaply every innings. His century's were too easy against West Indies and it gave everyone false hope. He has been found wanting by the Aussies.

Bell and Strauss have done well, Strauss really steps up a level as captain with his batting. Cook will be angry with himself though. If we lose a couple of quick wickets tomorrow it is anyone's game, though looking at the weather for tomorrow and Monday, a draw seems the best bet.

I won't be on here for a while so I will be no longer discussing the Test's until the fifth and last one. For entertainments sake let's hope the series is still alive. For England's sake, let's hope we have it wrapped it by then. Keep the discussions going.

 

[Leeds Guy]

Well so far 328-7 and if England can get a good 150+ run advantage then it will be the Aussies under pressure. Still think a draw is on the cards though as Austraillia are usually too good to be skitled out cheaply. We need the Aussies to have an England Esq batting collapse. The ball is swinging though, which is good news for Jimmy and Onions. Next up is Headingly and I have tickets yay. Knowing my luck it will piss it down.

 

[Hip2bsquare]

Very interesting first day so far in the fourth test.

England won the toss and batted and have been rolled out for 102. Peter Siddle gaining 5 wickets and a returning Stuey Clarke got 3 wickets. All the Aussie bowlers bowled beautiful but the pitch is doing a lot.

In reply Australia are 1/62 off 10 overs with Watson and Ponting doing some serious damage. Harmison with the wicket.

England lost Freddie Flintoff before the game. A huge loss for the English and one that will be interesting to see if they can overcome.

 

[Leeds Guy]

England were atrocious in that 4th test. The Aussies certainly showed us how to bat and bowl. I thought Harmison did well on his return. Broad did good as well both with the bat and the ball, just a pity nobody else decided to show up. Now its looking like the Aussies will retain the Ashes.

I hope that that is Englands batting collapse of the summer out of the way. But I have a feeling we wont have another innings that gets past 300 runs. The aussies are in firm control now. I hear there is talk of calling up Ramprakash because of his abilty to hit centurys, which i feel could be a good thing. We will have to wait and see what happens.

Oh and on a lighter note, one of my freinds pulled Brett Lee the other night in leeds

 

[The Todd]

What the fuck, I go on holiday with England on the verge of going two nil up with two to play, and I come back with the country in tatters and all but given up hope of winning.

First of all, Michael Clarke at Edgbaston was awe inspiring. He is the exact type of player England NEED in their middle order. Watson proved me wrong, he has been the most consistent opener of the series.

At Headingley it was a bettering. From the moment I received a text saying "76-6. Absoulte shite" I knew the momentum had gone and Australia would now be favourites. The only solace was... nah there wasn't any. Without KP we can cope, as long as we have Freddie. Without both we are a toothless, mediocre test side.

Australia should be able to bring Lee in for Siddle. He bowled well at Headingley but I don't rate him that much. If Lee is fit he plays.

As for England how pathetic it has been that we have Ramprakash linked to a return to the team. He was crap in 2002, county level is no where near the same. As for Trott, you don't bring in rookies for a final test decider. Rob Key is the most experienced option, he should have got the nod.

We are in disarray and we NEED Freddie on form. He lifts everyone around him so losing the toss and bowling isn't that bad a thing. Freddie can rip into the Aussies and hopefully put them on the back foot. That will give the rest of the team a lift. If we bat first, we will likely crumble once again.

Either way, there has to be a result. I would rather go hells bent for an unlikely win and lose than play it too safe and draw. We need to be brave, we need to be attacking. If not the Aussies will pick up an easy win.

 

[Leeds Guy]

What the fuck, I go on holiday with England on the verge of going two nil up with two to play, and I come back with the country in tatters and all but given up hope of winning.

First of all, Michael Clarke at Edgbaston was awe inspiring. He is the exact type of player England NEED in their middle order. Watson proved me wrong, he has been the most consistent opener of the series.

At Headingley it was a bettering. From the moment I received a text saying "76-6. Absoulte shite" I knew the momentum had gone and Australia would now be favourites. The only solace was... nah there wasn't any. Without KP we can cope, as long as we have Freddie. Without both we are a toothless, mediocre test side.

Australia should be able to bring Lee in for Siddle. He bowled well at Headingley but I don't rate him that much. If Lee is fit he plays.

As for England how pathetic it has been that we have Ramprakash linked to a return to the team. He was crap in 2002, county level is no where near the same. As for Trott, you don't bring in rookies for a final test decider. Rob Key is the most experienced option, he should have got the nod.

We are in disarray and we NEED Freddie on form. He lifts everyone around him so losing the toss and bowling isn't that bad a thing. Freddie can rip into the Aussies and hopefully put them on the back foot. That will give the rest of the team a lift. If we bat first, we will likely crumble once again.

Either way, there has to be a result. I would rather go hells bent for an unlikely win and lose than play it too safe and draw. We need to be brave, we need to be attacking. If not the Aussies will pick up an easy win.

Agreed playing Trott could work against us, but then again he has got nothing to lose, if he goes out and bats positive and we win hes a hero, if he goes out gets 2 ducks and we lose, he wasnt ready and the selectors get the blame. The only positive to come out of this so far is Bopara has been dropped. The Aussies were dismantling the England Lions today last I looked they were 300+/9 dec and the lions were 111/4 in reply, so they are certainly geared up for it. Im just hoping and praying that England bat well and that we can bowl positive and get the Aussies out for a reasonable score.

 

[The Todd]

Stuart Broad, welcome to test cricket. He has always shown massive potential, but five wickets to put England in control in the Ashes decider is his first lasting mark. He has bowled superbly. Not only has he took five wickets, the batsmen he has removed are Watson, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke and Haddin. Four of the five top batsmen in the Aussie side (Hussey is still a great player, no matter how shit his series has been)

We looked in trouble this time yesterday, our middle order collapsed again, though Bell and Trott did a decent job. Still troubles me how no one can step up and turn a decent score into a great one.

Now, thanks to broad and Swann we lok well set. All the talk in the build up was about Freddie, Anderson and Harmison. There was talk of Monty playing either instead of or as well as Swann. The two overlooked players have dragged England up from the mire.

This is no where near over though. There's a chance the last two wickets take a while to fall, and then we have another England batting performance to sit through. We need to set Australia a big, big score because Australia have a habit of recovering in second innings after a poor first one. If people like Ponting and Clarke get settled there is no limit to the score they can chase.

England need to wrap up the final few wickets quickly then bat well for a day and a half, before skittling the Aussies out as soon as possible to let us all avoid the inevitable heart problems.

 

[Leeds Guy]

But we all know England wont do that. They lost 3 wickets already late last night and I think we are in the midst of a batting collapse. I rekon we will set them a target of 300 maybe 350 at a push and the Aussies will acheive it with relative ease. Pontings due a big score, hes only had the one in the series, like you say pebs Hussey is due and I rekon if either of these 2 get set then its game over for England. I'd like to have more confidence but it just would not be English to ya know.....win something

 

[Khalifa]

Come on Australia. I don't know the exact score but I am pretty sure we are down. Michael Hussey is a the x-factor in this game. If he plays well then England have lsot the ashes, if he plays bad then England have one. Michael Clarke is just s super star and Ricky Ponting should retire. Just say'n.

 

[The Todd]

So Australia need the world's best ever innings to deny England the Ashes. Why does it feel lik it will happen?

The one team you would think could possibly make the score is Australia and the one team you would think could possibly lose from this position is England. I don't think England have ever won a major sporting event without it being dramatic so Australia are bound to come close if they don't win.

Also, well done Trott. Superb batting today, and a little mention to captain fantastic (it's funny how opinions change) and Swanny for great knocks.

Oh, and one last thing. PLEEEAAASSSEEEE let the rain fuck off for the next two days.

 

[Leeds Guy]

So Australia need the world's best ever innings to deny England the Ashes. Why does it feel lik it will happen?

The one team you would think could possibly make the score is Australia and the one team you would think could possibly lose from this position is England. I don't think England have ever won a major sporting event without it being dramatic so Australia are bound to come close if they don't win.

Also, well done Trott. Superb batting today, and a little mention to captain fantastic (it's funny how opinions change) and Swanny for great knocks.

Oh, and one last thing. PLEEEAAASSSEEEE let the rain fuck off for the next two days.

100% agreed, I'd have felt alot more comfatable had we taken 1 or 2 wickets last night. But we are on about England knowing our luck Aussies will be 500-9 and the last pair will put on the 45 needed, cos we cant do it the easy way. Just once I'd like England to win something without the drama and tension, skittlle them out for 150 again. Come on England we can do it, Ive had a good weekend of sport so far all I need is either Lewis or Jenson to win and England to win for the clean sweep

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Australia are up shit creek without a paddle. They need to make some serious runs, but i'm not quite sure if we'll do it. This side can certainly do it, and Ponting can still go, but this is the side of yesteryear. If Marcus North can make some strokes like he did on his debut, and the batsmen pull it together, there is a very real possibility that Australia can win this or bring it out to a draw at least.

 

[Leeds Guy]

Australia are up shit creek without a paddle. They need to make some serious runs, but i'm not quite sure if we'll do it. This side can certainly do it, and Ponting can still go, but this is the side of yesteryear. If Marcus North can make some strokes like he did on his debut, and the batsmen pull it together, there is a very real possibility that Australia can win this or bring it out to a draw at least.

I dont think it can be a draw unless you have a ridiculously poor run rate. If you bat out the next 2 days you will win the Ashes.

Anyway its a mute point now cos as I type this

ENGLAND WIN THE ASHES

So proud, all thanks to jimmy and monty with their batting escape in the first test.

 

[The Todd]

Now my head has finally stopped spinning since the celebrations, YES!!!!!!! Although the result in the final test was never really in doubt us English are too used to sporting cock ups to celebrate too early. We won, and convincingly so in the last test.

Yes over the series the Australian batsmen were superior, their bowlers took more wickets but they lacked the killer instinct that set other Australian teams apart from the rest of the world. Too many times they collapsed when in a seemingly good position or failed to punish England when they had us reeling.

The team is young though. There are plenty of more years for them to develop as a team. Ponting isn't ready to retire yet so in him they have the best batsman in the world. Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey finish off the best middle order in world cricket. Katich has improved greatly and Hughes is a player of great potential who I am sure will be back in England punishing our bowlers one day.

Haddin is good, just living in Gilchrist's shadow is never easy, North batted well and even his part time spin was good. Hauritz also is a good bowler who is finding it hard to live in Warney's shadow. Mitchell Johnson is the key one for the future. He didn't adapt to English conditions well at all. If he finds his old form quickly again then Australia will become much more dangerous.

Hilfenhaus quietly picked up bagfuls of wickets without taking the headlines, as did Siddle believe it or not (don't rate him mind). There is still Brett Lee to come back from injury to instantly add more threat to the bowling line up. Much of this team will be playing, and beating, England in Australia on 2010/11.

As for England a series win is covering up poor individual performances. Strauss, Swann and Prior were the only ones I would say were consistent. Broad, Anderson and Bell were brilliant in spells.

Cook needs get his head down and work hard in time for the winter. Trott looks brilliant but he needs to keep up the form, one match doesn't prove a player's worth. Collingwood started brilliantly and ended up clinging on for his place. Bopara was, basically, shit. Needs a lot of re-thinking to get his place back.

Harmison was shit, though since he peaked right at the end of the series and took three wickets people will think he was better than he is. Onions has ability and can be relied on, though I maybe wouldn't take him to South Africa.

We obviously have Panesar and Pietersen who can slot in when they're ready/needed. Swann's performance means Panesar is basically waiting for a wicket made for two spinners where he will replace the quick bowler with the least ability with the bat.

England have a chance now to move on in the cricket world. To have dropped from second to fifth in four years is unacceptable. We need to push on in Test cricket, see this series win as the start of an era not the pinnacle of one like last time. A nice, hard trip to South Africa is a good next series to have, one which will test the side like no other.

COngratulations England, you've made us all proud. Unlucky Australia, you're graciousness in defeat makes it hard for us to hate you. I look forward to next winter.