Australia sealed only the third 5-0 whitewash in the Ashes' 130-year history on Sunday, winning the fifth test in Sydney by 281 runs with more than two days to spare. Geoff Boycott termed it as "one of the most depressing and humiliating days for English cricket". Before the series the scoreline of Australia winning by five to nil against England was as impossible as Bangladesh winning the world cup in one-day format. But, the beast called "Confidence" gave Australia the X-factor, let it be in the form of Mitch which they were certainly lacking in the recently concluded Ashes in 2012.
The Statistics were even poor: Cook, the top batsman of England batting lineup averaged less than number 8 Mitchell Johnson for Australia. Out of 10 occasions, they failed to cross 200 mark six times. Each defeat was crushing in its own sense. Each one was either more than 100 runs or 8 wickets. The third time Australia have beaten England 5-0 after 1920-21 and 2006-07.
The presentation ceremony after the Ashes went over was even more overwhleming. Cook and co. hung their heads as if the all the gravity of earth were concentrated there. The series left England without Greame Swann, Matt prior, Jonathan Trott: the pillars who sent England to Number 1 or contributed significantly. There was chaos in England's dressing room over Alastair cook and Andy Flower retention.
To me, the main reason England lost so significantly is the tiredness. Since, 2011, No player has faced as many test balls as Alastair Cook, No bowling unit has bowled as much as Anderson-Broad-Swann. They tried a lot here, but they were tired. Even in the last Ashes, everytime Australia looked to come back, One performance: either with the bat or ball saved England. This time, England has no plans. Trott left after first match. Swann took the retirement probably the worst/best timely retirement in the history. Batsmen were failing. They had no answer to the pace trio of Harris-Mitch-Siddle. They repeated the same mistakes again and again. In adeilade, when things could have gone their way, they shut the door on their face by dropping sitters. The worst part was the face that Australia won without their top 6 batsmen except of Rogers being in prime form. And Mitchell Johnson was in the form of his life. He looked like Batman with the power of Superman.
England at this moment is at rock bottom. But, I too like others feel that this is the worst phase of England cricket. Things will go better from here on. The only place where you can go from bottom is up. I still believe that England are a better side than they displayed themselves. They just need a winning habit, that's all. Hopefully, they get it soon.
As the law of truism goes, Nothing can go on forever. No force in cricket up to now has been so great which has dominated since the beginning. Let it be England.
The Statistics were even poor: Cook, the top batsman of England batting lineup averaged less than number 8 Mitchell Johnson for Australia. Out of 10 occasions, they failed to cross 200 mark six times. Each defeat was crushing in its own sense. Each one was either more than 100 runs or 8 wickets. The third time Australia have beaten England 5-0 after 1920-21 and 2006-07.
The presentation ceremony after the Ashes went over was even more overwhleming. Cook and co. hung their heads as if the all the gravity of earth were concentrated there. The series left England without Greame Swann, Matt prior, Jonathan Trott: the pillars who sent England to Number 1 or contributed significantly. There was chaos in England's dressing room over Alastair cook and Andy Flower retention.
To me, the main reason England lost so significantly is the tiredness. Since, 2011, No player has faced as many test balls as Alastair Cook, No bowling unit has bowled as much as Anderson-Broad-Swann. They tried a lot here, but they were tired. Even in the last Ashes, everytime Australia looked to come back, One performance: either with the bat or ball saved England. This time, England has no plans. Trott left after first match. Swann took the retirement probably the worst/best timely retirement in the history. Batsmen were failing. They had no answer to the pace trio of Harris-Mitch-Siddle. They repeated the same mistakes again and again. In adeilade, when things could have gone their way, they shut the door on their face by dropping sitters. The worst part was the face that Australia won without their top 6 batsmen except of Rogers being in prime form. And Mitchell Johnson was in the form of his life. He looked like Batman with the power of Superman.
England at this moment is at rock bottom. But, I too like others feel that this is the worst phase of England cricket. Things will go better from here on. The only place where you can go from bottom is up. I still believe that England are a better side than they displayed themselves. They just need a winning habit, that's all. Hopefully, they get it soon.
As the law of truism goes, Nothing can go on forever. No force in cricket up to now has been so great which has dominated since the beginning. Let it be England.
