For the first time since 1977 Australia have failed to win
an Ashes test, and whilst the ICCs regulations, and cricket in general, has
invited ridicule and criticism in the manor that England were denied a forth
win of the series, 3-0 is still an emphatic result. An emphatic 3-0 Ashes
victory is always a positive, and the way England’s players celebrated as the 5th
Test draw was confirmed only goes to show that they are proud of the result and
enjoyed the series victory.
I fully intended to analyses the series as it progressed on
my blog, but having discussed the role of reporting, analysis and opinion with
the director of the Sports Journalism course I start in September, I later
decided it might be prudent to debate, discuss and learn more first. What I
will do though is make some clear observations about this series, and the
impacts it may have on the one that follows in 3 months down-under.
Touted as the worst Australia side ever to tour England,
this touring side was supposed to rollover without challenging, and whilst a
3-0 score line may suggest this prediction came true, but it most certainly did
not. Inconsistency of individual performance, most notably amongst batsman, and
the losing of key sessions led to defeats in this series from a position of
ascendency. A more accurate prediction was the one given by myself an many
others that there would be a battle between bowling attacks, and that it would
be the batting line-up who contended best that would lead their team to
victory. Whilst Australia twice posted scores near or over 500 that led to
declarations, they also folded at Trent Bridge, Lords and in the second innings
at Durham. An Ian Bell led England batting line-up did not manage to post any
huge totals, but was able, through contributions at different stages of the
series by all, to find a level of consistency beyond Australia.
All of this took place on pitches forged from a hot and dry
summer, and designed to aid Graeme Swann, and this led batting to be difficult
at times, and the fast bowlers left frustrated by a lack of bounce and carry.
In Australia this won’t be the case as the Sky punditry team were at pains to
point out, and this should lead to batsman being able to score quickly when
playing well, and bowlers being able to cause them problems when they find
rhythm themselves.
Going forward, England know that they will have to score
more runs to repeat their victory in Australia, and that will require Cook and
Trott rediscovering their form from the last away Ashes series. Known as batsmen
who score big runs when they are in, they were both uncharacteristically
struggling to convert starts this summer, and this led to the reliance on Bell.
However, the man labelled the Sherminator by Shane Warne has gone on to be the scourge
of the Aussies, and he’ll also relish the opportunity to bat in more friendly
conditions this winter, against an attack he’s got to know very well over the
last 6 weeks.
