The coveted Ashes urn is back in the hands of Australian cricket Photo: chelsea_steve
Australia is on top of the cricketing world once again after having convincingly reclaimed the Ashes, putting three straight Ashes defeats behind them with a crushing 150-run win against England in Perth on Tuesday to win the Third Test.
This year’s Ashes series has so far been a one-sided affair with Australia winning the first three of five tests against an England team that is full of class and talent but has fallen short on performance and confidence.
This win certainly has cricket in Australia back to its familiar best. Captain Michael Clarke and his men worked tirelessly to step out of the shadows of their predecessors, who were on top of world cricket for 15 years.
Mitchell Johnson’s bowling and Shane Watson’s batting were the two key features in this renaissance that has the feel-good factor for the coming summer of cricket at an all time high. The determined reassurance of a winning culture spread like wild-fire through the Australian cricket team.
Their English counterparts have been absolutely hammered by the unforgiving English media. Although not lacking in potential the visitors were out-gunned, out-played and out-muscled by the Australians and, given the high expectations and talent at their disposal, the English are not likely to be afforded any mercy from their press anytime soon.
There are two more Tests to be played in the series and a 5-0 whitewash is not out of the question. Michael Clarke’s approach of focussing on the here and now, ensuring that this new lease of life on Australian cricket is savoured, will hopefully slowly start to take shape as a long-term formula of success.
First Test
Australia 7/401 & 295
England 179 & 136
Australia won by 381 runs
Second Test
Australia – 3/132 & 570
England – 312 & 172
Australia win by 218 runs
Third Test
Australia – 6/369 & 289
England – 353 & 251
Australia won by 150 runs
