The urn returns
There we have it, the most famous trophy in world cricket returns to Australia. It is only fitting that the Ashes series has been won on the red soils of Western Australia at the WACA. Australia takes the Magellan Ashes series 3-0 up as they destroyed England in a thumping innings and 41 run victory.
Well, it has been a test match filled with brilliance, disappointments, controversy and high drama. Joe Root's decision to bat first on a flat WACA pitch certainly got off to a good start on day 1 as England through the batting of Malan and Bairstow helped England get to 403 before a dramatic collapse saw the tourists lose momentum. But it was a score too low as Australia motored past England's total courtesy of a glorious Steve Smith innings of 239 and a recalled Mitchell Marsh's brilliant 181. The tourists along with some late order runs from Tim Paine and Pat Cummins saw the hosts cement an unshakable total of 9D/662.
However, with the test match soon coming to a close as the Western Australian "weather" began to gloom over the final session of the fourth day and the fifth day. However, with all the momentum rested in Australia's hand, England were simply at the mercy of the hosts.
With some bad weather in the opening session of play, the WACA ground support team were faced with some embarrassing news. With rain leaking into the pitch caused some dampness to the turf and delayed a lot of time from the game and with a draw slowly starting to become a more favoured result. However, the cricketing gods were shining on the Australians as the rain halted and the sun began to shine on the bowlers as they dismantled the tourists for a bleak 218 runs to claim the series.
Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins for me have been the best bowlers so far in the tournament. Whilst Mitchell Starc has done exceptionally well to keep the tail-enders in the pavilion, he seems to go the full journey against the top order which is something that he needs to improve on. Thanks to a Josh Hazelwood five-fer, Australia placed their hands on the urn for the first time in two years.
It is to some extent fair to say that England have either not learned from their mistakes or they simply don't have the depth without Ben Stokes. I think that going with the same bowling attack is not going to do them any favours and that they need to make some serious changes to this lineup or we can expect the same results in the remaining two test matches.
With Craig Overton's unfortunate rib injury, I believe that England with replacing him with either Liam Plunkett or Mark Wood, who I believe should have been chosen for this test match in place for Stuart Broad. Broad to be fair has not brought a lot to this series so far and he needs to put in a performance at the MCG. Moreover, along with Broad, Moeen Ali has not performed at all in this series so far. I think that for the sake of the team trying to gain some form of dignity need to put Mason Crane in the team to provide a genuine consistent spinning option. No disrespect to Ali, who has been a champion player for England, however his performances down under is not benefiting the team.
Now to Alistair Cook, who is sadly not looking himself at all this series. There is no doubt that he is a champion player and that there is a performance somewhere around the corner, but the only concern is whether "it is getting too late". Australia should not go underestimating the capacity that Cook has to score runs, but his lack of form is somewhat hurting England badly in fighting back in this series.
But it is a time for celebration for the Australian cricket team as they have brought the urn home and have certainly demonstrated their hostility as a test team which I believe has been missing for a long time. But it has been at the expense of a Mitchell Starc injury scare. He has been the catalyst for England's tail end collapses and having him ruled out of the fourth test is going to hurt the Aussies. Hence, the inclusion of Jackson Bird has been brought in to replace the left arm fast bowler. Whilst I have plenty of respect for Bird and the talent that he possesses, I would've loved to have seen Peter Siddle in the squad. His breadth of knowledge of the MCG conditions and his consistent line and length would have been a slightly better inclusion.
But the story is that Australia has regained the Ashes and will be looking to repeat another 5-0 Ashes whitewash starting on Boxing Day at the MCG.
Well, it has been a test match filled with brilliance, disappointments, controversy and high drama. Joe Root's decision to bat first on a flat WACA pitch certainly got off to a good start on day 1 as England through the batting of Malan and Bairstow helped England get to 403 before a dramatic collapse saw the tourists lose momentum. But it was a score too low as Australia motored past England's total courtesy of a glorious Steve Smith innings of 239 and a recalled Mitchell Marsh's brilliant 181. The tourists along with some late order runs from Tim Paine and Pat Cummins saw the hosts cement an unshakable total of 9D/662.However, with the test match soon coming to a close as the Western Australian "weather" began to gloom over the final session of the fourth day and the fifth day. However, with all the momentum rested in Australia's hand, England were simply at the mercy of the hosts.
With some bad weather in the opening session of play, the WACA ground support team were faced with some embarrassing news. With rain leaking into the pitch caused some dampness to the turf and delayed a lot of time from the game and with a draw slowly starting to become a more favoured result. However, the cricketing gods were shining on the Australians as the rain halted and the sun began to shine on the bowlers as they dismantled the tourists for a bleak 218 runs to claim the series.Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins for me have been the best bowlers so far in the tournament. Whilst Mitchell Starc has done exceptionally well to keep the tail-enders in the pavilion, he seems to go the full journey against the top order which is something that he needs to improve on. Thanks to a Josh Hazelwood five-fer, Australia placed their hands on the urn for the first time in two years.
It is to some extent fair to say that England have either not learned from their mistakes or they simply don't have the depth without Ben Stokes. I think that going with the same bowling attack is not going to do them any favours and that they need to make some serious changes to this lineup or we can expect the same results in the remaining two test matches.With Craig Overton's unfortunate rib injury, I believe that England with replacing him with either Liam Plunkett or Mark Wood, who I believe should have been chosen for this test match in place for Stuart Broad. Broad to be fair has not brought a lot to this series so far and he needs to put in a performance at the MCG. Moreover, along with Broad, Moeen Ali has not performed at all in this series so far. I think that for the sake of the team trying to gain some form of dignity need to put Mason Crane in the team to provide a genuine consistent spinning option. No disrespect to Ali, who has been a champion player for England, however his performances down under is not benefiting the team.
Now to Alistair Cook, who is sadly not looking himself at all this series. There is no doubt that he is a champion player and that there is a performance somewhere around the corner, but the only concern is whether "it is getting too late". Australia should not go underestimating the capacity that Cook has to score runs, but his lack of form is somewhat hurting England badly in fighting back in this series.
But it is a time for celebration for the Australian cricket team as they have brought the urn home and have certainly demonstrated their hostility as a test team which I believe has been missing for a long time. But it has been at the expense of a Mitchell Starc injury scare. He has been the catalyst for England's tail end collapses and having him ruled out of the fourth test is going to hurt the Aussies. Hence, the inclusion of Jackson Bird has been brought in to replace the left arm fast bowler. Whilst I have plenty of respect for Bird and the talent that he possesses, I would've loved to have seen Peter Siddle in the squad. His breadth of knowledge of the MCG conditions and his consistent line and length would have been a slightly better inclusion.But the story is that Australia has regained the Ashes and will be looking to repeat another 5-0 Ashes whitewash starting on Boxing Day at the MCG.
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