Congratulations to the Australian cricket team for Winning the 3rd Test match on the 3rd day itself and retaining the Ashes as well.
Before we discuss about this moment, lets back up just a few weeks. Pre-series, there was a lot of discussion going on about the lack of preparation for both teams going into this series due to covid. Although Australia were favorites being the hosts, England fans did feel they had a chance considering India’s recent triumph without their full strength squad. This thought would have definitely become stronger once Tim Paine stepped down from captaincy and later moved out of the squad as well. With a new Captain and a debutant as wicket keeper going into a big series for Australia, England would have fancied their chances.
However, Coming into the first test, right from not playing Anderson and Broad on a green top and then electing to bat first on it, everything they they had planned did not sync in with the proceedings. It’s almost like they had over prepared and set their minds on their combinations and tactics before arriving to the ground. Compensating for this, they did play Broad and Anderson in the Pink ball test, leaving out Wood and Leach which again turned out to be the wrong move since this pitch did offer some turn. It’s the same mistake made when they toured India as well.
Having lost the first 2 matches comprehensively, England really had to show some fight to keep the series alive. This time England did make some changes and it did look like they picked the right team to start with. But, once again the batting failed as Joe Root was the only one who showed some fight and score a half century but the team got bowled out for just 185 runs. Coming to day 2, England bowled really well. Anderson led the attack and bowled beautifully and Mark Wood supported him brilliantly bowling rockets in short spells from the other end. They bowled the right lines and lengths, took their catches and by far was the best day for England in the series. Just as England got back into the game, Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc did get some useful runs and extended the lead to 82 runs which was slightly beyond what England would have liked. It looked like England had started to fight back for a while, but the batting let them down once again as they ended the day at 31/4. Scott Boland, the local boy who made his debut had a dream day as he finished with figures of 6 wickets for 7 runs in just 4 overs and bundled out England for just 68 runs and sealed the series for Australia.
Australia had a few hiccups after the series started as well, when Pat Cummins had to miss the second match due to covid protocols and Hazlewood had to miss out due to injury. But the reserves stepped up, as Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser in the second test and Scott Boland in the third test just walked into the playing XI and made their mark.
England on the other hand have plenty to ponder upon, particularly in the batting department. Apart from Joe Root who has been their pillar for a while and Dawid Malan to an extent, no one else have contributed. They have 2 more tests to try a few combinations and possibly think about personnel changes for the future. More about this can be discussed at the end of the series.
Finally, a Great start for the incredibly talented Pat Cummins as the Australian Test Captain to win the Ashes straight away. Looking forward to seeing more of him in this new role.
