Weird Ashes of 2015

The ashes is over. The pendulum swung thousands of times before finally settling in England's camp. The Urn has returned to England. Margin is as small as it can be over full five results. Had there been a scale to measure flaws in both teams, It would have surpassed the scale. One team initiating to take the advantage, other team just giving themselves in without giving a fight. Innings win followed by innings defeat. Hard to believe where the momentum was lurking. Only five individual centuries scored by three of the guys across both teams.

It is even weirder that three of the top run makers and four of the top five wicket-takers were Australians and still Australia ended up on being on the wrong side. In ters of number of balls bowled, it was the lowest after 1903. Australia opening partnership was more than 50, while England was around mere 25. Both sides happened to collapse on dozen of times. It was hard to believe what was happening in the middle. Ben Stokes looked like a duck magnet and fantastic batsman on almost every alternate occasion.

Hard to pick the best and the worst eleven separately. For example, You will have a hard time whether blokes like Starc, Johnson, Moeen belong to the best or worst team of this Ashes. None of the five matches went into five days.  It raises the questions over the extent of impact T20 cricket had made over test cricket.

It was truly a series of England bowlers. Broad 8 wickets for 15 runs in one innings, Anderson, Finn and Stokes all taking 6-for. All of them striking when England needed them. England managed to win the important moments which reflects in the result. In many of those ways, it was like 2013 Ashes. But Australia had failed to win a single game that time.

This series also brought an end to one of the best captains Australia have ever produced, pup to retirement. Along with him, the reliable Rogers wore the baggy green also for the last time in Oval. Both of them departing with a big win at oval and big loss of Ashes. Many of the Australians may also have played their last games too. It will be interesting to see if Watson, Haddin, Voges, Siddle are in future plans of Australia or not.

Steve Smith made runs in Lords and Oval as if he loved London and only London. Other than there, he failed to reach even a half century. With each hundred he made, It brought failure of Joe Root in the same game. Alternately, when Root flourished, Smith failed. It was as if success of one brought the fall of the other. :P

It was certainly not a vintage series. A vintage series requires hard fought centuries, five wicket hauls in adverse conditions, building great partnerships both in batting and bowling. There was seldom of that in this ashes. There was no defiance and will to bounce back in either of the teams.

Is it too much of ashes cricket? Fifteen Ashes tests have been held in last 36 months. Are the players fed up? Hard to know. In many ways, it was a memorable and forgettable ashes. For me, I was pleased with the way England regained the Urn after 599 days when they were humiliated in Sydey. Now it is time to relax and wait till next time both of these sides meet. ciao.

The Greatness of Kumar Sangakkara

Another one leaves us. This time it is one of the most beloved and cherished cricketers of our lifetime: Kumar Sangakkara. There is not a box in batting technique which he doesn't tick. He is like a text book of batting.

Over 26,000 runs across all formats in 15 years. But numbers can't justify what he meant to Srilankan and more importantly, to world cricket. He played infinite match winning knocks. His spirit of cricket lecture in 2011 is still fresh in our memories. He has got highest amount of respect from each cricket loving fan across the world. He was the best mixture of orthodox and modern cricket. Usually players slow down in the latter phases of career. But Kumar has got an average of 60+ in last five years of test cricket. He retired from ODI cricket when he had just made four centuries in four games, a feat which had never happened in last million years. To make it in a world cup at the highest stage is just icing on cake.

The feet movement, his batting guard, the position of his body while playing the ball was spectacular. He had so much time while playing the ball as if he can read a poem after the ball has been released from the bowler hand. There was not any obvious flaw in his technique. No plans used to work against him. He succeeded in every condition known on the planet. Usually, subcontinent players struggle in England and Australia. But not Kumar. He could play lofted shots with so much ease that it was hard to set fields for him and none knew what he was going to do next ball.

Winning the world cup T20 and making an unbeaten fifty was a perfect reward to him after failing to do so in previous three world cup finals. He was a big occasion player. He served Sri Lankan cricket with everything he had. He kept wickets to allow the team to play one extra bowler. When he didn't keep wickets, his batting average is astronomical. He never cared about personal records. With the current form he was in, he could have easily played for one or two years and become the human being with maximum number of double hundreds (He is currently only one behind the great Don).

Along with Mahela, he formed one of the most consistent batting partnerships. I still dread to think what they both did to South Africa. Everyone will miss him for sure. More than a cricketer, he is a better human being. I am expecting him to be part of cricket in some other form. Watching him bat was a moment of sheer joy. #Legend  #ThankYouSanga

Will miss you Pup

Right after Australia Nottingham defeat, one of the finest cricketers and captains Aussies ever produced called it a day on his career. Michael Clarke. What a player. What a captain. He has everything a player needs to have to succeed at the highest level possible. It was heart breaking to watch him break down during the match presentation in Nottingham. He is too good to be judged on one series and poor form.

Let us talk about Michael. He is undoubtedly one of the finest Australian captains to have played the game. He always believed in leading the team from the front. Received the baggy green from Great Shane Warne. Hundred at debut in Bangalore in 2004. When bruised and battered, making a magnificent ton against South Africa to help Australia regain the number one test rankings. He inspired the others around him to believe in themselves. His leadership was a hallmark of aggression.

Despite suffering so many injuries throughout his career, Clarke always managed to find a way to come harder and stronger. He is adored throughout Australia. He took the team in transition after the greats left it and made them believe once again. He is believed to be once in a generation player by many former Australian greats. When in form, no bowler, no surface or condition can stop him. He used to score hundreds at will. His use of feet against spinners was exemplary. He had a magical touch in him.

Times change. Eventually.  Clarke's decline as a batsman was looking very evident when He did not manage a score more than 38 in first four Ashes tests. He tried his best to break this by spending endless hours on nets and trying everything he could.  At Trent Bridge he even batted in his past No. 5 position. But, unfortunately, it didn't work out. To add to the woes, the others also failed when he was trying to make things right. Added all together, it led to inevitable retirement.

I would like to wish Michael a very happy retirement. Thank you so much for being a great ambassador of cricket throughout these years.

Regaining the Urn

Two days and 45 minutes, that is all it took at Trent Bridge. With Oval still to go, Ashes is in England's camp once again. England have won four home ashes in a row now. It doesn't get better than that. In many ways, it was an extraordinary test match. With the laws of sports momentum consistently getting defied in this series, there was every possibility that Australia could replicate the feats of Lords here at Trent Bridge. But this time, England lads were careful. And oh boy were they  careful: They not only demolished Australia on first morning, they almost murdered the Ashes.

Leading on the day 1 morning was Stuart Broad. A lot of speculations were around about Jimmy missing this so-important-test match. But, Stuart Broad took the opportunity with both hands. The next thing we know was that #GoneIn60Seconds became the trending topic on social media. Jokes were being shared on what lasts more than Australian innings. Australia were not thinking. They made the score which even a bunch 10 year kids in their backyard can easily outplay. From that spot, there was no going back. They needed a Dravid-Laxman of 2001 or McCullum-Watling from 2014 to save this one. They failed to do that. Again. This was as flawless performance as you will ever see from an English side.

Not to forget the role of Joe Root here. He now is the number 1 batsman in the test ranking chart. I don't remember the last time when an England batsman was on the top of test batting chart. I don't remember England playing so much fearless cricket. In 599 days after Perth defeat in 2013, they have regained the Ashes. A lot of credit goes to Paul Farbrace, Trevor Bayliss and other coaching staff for this incredible turnaround. England are looking unstoppable at this moment. I certainly believe that 4-1 is coming with the Oval yet to come. England are bubbling with confidence. Their fourth seamer is picking 6 wickets. There is not a single thing which is looking wrong at this moment apart from the opening partnership for England. I am certain the Lyth will get another opportunity to turn it around at the Oval.

I have faith in this English side. And I genuinely believe if they keep playing this brand of cricket, they can even outsmart South Africa and get number one test spot. After the demolition received just 18 months ago, this amazing win will soothe the England fans. They have an amazing time to celebrate. The next test is still about two weeks away. Australia have a lot of soul searching to do now. They came into the series as favorites. Losing two tests in around 5 days is going to haunt them for a while.

As an England cricket fan, I am cherishing the moment. Hopefully, it will continue for a while.