Unfortunately the farcical end to the fifth test grabbed all the headlines, whereas the overriding fact was that England proved to be worthy winners of the Ashes urn over the five games.
When the light reading deemed conditions ‘unsuitable’, the umpires were left with no choice but to leave the field leaving England short of just 21 runs with four overs remaining. Let’s be clear it is not the fault of Aleem Dar, or our very own Dharmasena. They are duty-bound to adhere to the rules set by the governing body, the ICC. They are not supposed to be privy to the engulfing emotion of the packed Oval crowd or the millions tuned in the world over. If blame is to be placed, it should be with the ICC. However, it has to be said that a draw was poetic justice prevailing. Trying force a result, Michael Clarke rolled the dice, with a very generous declaration at Tea setting England a target of 227 in 44 overs. He was prepared to lose in order to have a crack at victory – a remarkably brave brand of captaincy – which is a rarity in this professional era.
England went into the Test series with a few question marks hanging over their batting line up, particularly the opening spot. With Nick Compton being dropped, the selectors decided to promote Joe Root to partner skipper Alastair Cook at the top of the order. The question still looms despite a masterful 180 by the young Root in the second innings of the Lords Test. He was given a life when he nicked one between keeper and slip early on in his innings, but importantly made the good fortune count. That heroic contribution aside he mustered only 159 runs across his other nine innings. Cook also had a very poor series with the bat by his standards aggregating only 277 runs from five games. They have Ian Bell to thank for being the back bone of the England batting. Bell topped the batting charts with 562 runs which featured 3 hundreds and 2 half centuries. He was the saviour in Durham when his side was tottering at 49/3 in the second innings, just 17 ahead at the time. To say he was the difference between the sides would not be incorrect. Kevin Pieterson was the next biggest contributor with the bat, and was pivotal in setting up the grand stand finish on the last evening of the series. Both batsmen will be looking to carry on their good form when they travel to Australia in the winter. The bowling when it mattered was top notch. Stuart Broad in Durham at times was simply unplayable and seems to have really matured during this series. He picked up ten wickets in the game and blew the Aussies apart after Tim Bresnan had removed the dangerous Warner. Broad ended the series with 22 scalps, as did the unrelenting Jimmy Anderson. The Lancashire swing King picked up a ten-for in the opening Test at Trent Bridge including the referred dismissal of last-man-standing Brad Haddin. For all the swing and overcast conditions that loomed, it was Graeme Swann who topped the tree for wickets with 26. He will be looking forward to a break as would the rest of the England team. You would think he would be more of a threat on the harder tracks in Australia.
I’m at a loss to think what the selectors were hoping to achieve in gifting debuts to Chris Woakes and Simon Kerrigan in the last Test. Though it seems rather harsh and even unfair to judge anyone after one game, it must be said that both looked some distance away from being Test Quality. Kerrigan was predictably put to the sword by Shane Watson, who had a sighter against him in the tour game against the Lions. The poor lad was not provided with any chance for a reprieve, after being belted around the park on the first day. As for Woakes, he did a tidy job with the ball and also played a part in the near-fairytale ending. However, as a third seam option, as Geoff Boycott would put it ‘he wouldn’t trouble my mum’. I believe that both Chris Tremlett and Stephen Finn would have a part to play in the return series. Tremlett performed exceptionally well on the last tour. Both of them are make full use of their height, and are bound to have the Aussies on the hop.
As for the Australians, you got to feel for them. Their preparation for the series was far from ideal. Firstly, David Warner let his emotions get the better of him by punching Joe Root in a Birmingham bar following their loss to England in the Champions Trophy. He was fined, and banished to play with their second string who were touring in Africa, missing the first two Tests. This proved to be the last straw for Mickey Arthur who was unceremoniously sacked, with 16 days to go for the first Test. However, truth be told, except for their capitulation at Lords, the tourist were very competitive in each of the other Tests. To go one step further, they even found themselves in positions of strength in certain quarters. For example, at Old Trafford, had Stuart Broad been given out, or had he walked when he edged Ashton Agar to slip, England would have been seven wickets down, just 232 ahead. His good fortunate enable England to stretch their lead by a further 78. Australia fell just 14 short. Then in Durham, set an unlikely 298 to win, Chris Rogers and Warner shared an opening partnership giving the Aussies a real shout in the game. However, Stuart Broad had other ideas. Young Ashton Agar will never forget his debut, falling just short of a century setting a record for the tenth wicket in the process. With more first class cricket behind him, he is a genuine all-rounder to watch for the future. Ryan Harris was by far their best bowler. Goodness knows how he was overlooked for the first game. Yet, he still managed to finish the series as the second highest wicket taker, just two behind Swann. The veteran Rogers, and young gun Steve Smith both notched up their maiden tons in the series which is a real positive. Many were apprehensive of Smith’s techniques and ability as a genuine number five bat. Some still may be. But one thing he undoubtedly possesses is heart and that typically dogged Aussie attitude. Kudos to the young man. Michael Clarke gave us a timely reminder of his class at Old Trafford, and Shane Watson seems to have finally found a slot in the batting order to call his own. Though aided by a watered down England attack in the last Test, Watto proved his mettle with a commanding knock of 176. That too after being shaken up with some rough stuff from Broad earlier in his innings. Brad Haddin was also immaculate with the gloves snaring 29 dismissals – a record for a test Series.
England may have hold of the urn, but be assured that the Aussies will be a different proposition in their own back yard. They will have now have more time to settle under Darren Lehmann, and come the first Test, they will know exactly what their best side is. They will hope to have the likes of James Pattinson and Pat Cummins back. Both youngsters are genuinely quick and will pose a greater threat on the bouncier surfaces down under. Do not be surprised if there is a recall for Mitchell Johnson, who bowled well in the corresponding series a couple of years ago. Harris, Pattinson, Siddle, Cummins, and Johnson – most sides will be envious of that pace battery. There is also talk of Shaun Marsh being given a look in. All in all, it augurs well for a mouthwatering prospect. Christmas is likely to be doubly special this year.
