ENGLAND RETAIN ASHES,AUSSIES FACE THE AXE

 

England retain Ashes, Aussies face the axe

England’s biggest test win over Australia since Old Trafford in 1956

It was a majestic performance and the reward was there for the taking. England humiliated Australia by an innings and 157 runs to retain the Ashes. On the fourth morning, it took less than 100 minutes for the Barmy Army to burst into celebrations. There was brief resistance provided by Brad Haddin, tipped as the man to take over captaincy from Ponting in the Sydney test. He used the long handle to good effect and provided plenty of entertainment while making a 50. Haddin was well supported by Australia's lone shining star at the MCG, Peter Siddle.

After the early dismissal of Mitchell Johnson to a beauty from Tremlett, Siddle and Haddin put on 86 runs in just 17 overs to lend some respectability. Siddle was using his feet to Swann to good effect. But, Swann showed why he is rated as one of the best spinners in the world today when he continued with his attacking wicket-taking line and length. Eventually, it brought him reward in the form of Siddle's wicket. The partnership was broken and Hilfenhaus did not add a single run before getting out to the impressive Bresnan. The injured Ryan Harris did not come out to bat and that was it for England.

Australia had a better batting display in the second essay but even with a combined score of 356 in both innings, their batting was in tatters. English bowlers were spot on throughout the match. The pick of the lot was Tim Bresnan, who ended with match figures of 6 for 75. Tremlett and Anderson ended with 5 wickets each. Jonathan Trott finished as Man of the Match for his outstanding effort with the bat. Trott had carried with bat with a polished 168.

When was the last time you remember seeing Australia crash to two innings defeats in the same series and that too at home? At least not in recent memory. But, that has happened today and confirms the paradigm shift in world cricketing powers. The win has given England the right to keep the urn firmly with them. With just a test to go at Sydney in the New Year, even a win will not give Australia the Ashes. Remember, since England have possession of Ashes before coming to this series, Australia needed to win the series to regain it while all England had to do was to draw the series to retain it. Going by the current formbook, it looks most certain England will continue with their rampaging mood at the SCG.

Worst defeat since 1956

There have been numerous headlines that have hit the wires ever since Australia slumped to 98 all out in their first innings. There have been calls for the head of Ponting as a captain and may be even as a batsman in the side. Australian cricket overhaul is round the corner. Ponting has seen a fall from where it is very unlikely he will recover and lead from the front again. Australia urgently need solidity at the top of the order. Agreed Shane Watson has done very well as an opener but he is still branded as the makeshift kind of opener and not a born opener. Phil Hughes has lacked the technique to face the new ball. He shuffles a bit too much and in the process becomes vulnerable. One-down is a very important position and for some, it is the most important one in test cricket. Ricky Ponting has been all over the place in that position in recent times. Michael Clarke has been no good either. And what about the bowlers? Barring Peter Siddle, who has swung the ball throughout the series, not a single bowler has shown consistency for long periods. The only solace for Australia is that the next test will mark the beginning of a new decade and they can simply use the opportunity to reinvent themselves after a decade that saw them reach the pinnacle and crash to the nadir with the same speed.

Australia's biggest innings defeats in Ashes history

YEAR	VENUE	England's victory margin
1938	The Oval, England	Innings and 579 runs
1892	Adelaide, Australia	Innings and 230 runs
1912	Melbourne, Australia	Innings and 225 runs
1886	The Oval, England	Innings and 217 runs
1956	Manchester, England	Innings and 170 runs
2010	Melbourne, Australia	Innings and 157 runs
1888	The Oval, England	Innings and 137 runs
1901	Sydney, Australia	Innings and 124 runs
1985	Birmingham, England	Innings and 118 runs
1886	Lord's, England	Innings and 106 runs
1885	Melbourne, Australia	Innings and 98 runs
1985	The Oval, England	Innings and 94 runs
1966	Sydney, Australia	Innings and 93 runs
2010	Adelaide, Australia	Innings and 71 runs

This has been Australia's worst performance in an Ashes series at home in a long time. What would worry the Australian selectors even more is two innings defeats in a single series at home. This hasn't happened in a long time. Australia last lost two matches in a same series by innings in Ashes back in 1985 when the team led by Allan Border were thrashed in back-to-back tests in England in the month of August.