My Ashes Cricket Verdict/Rant

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - AUS 4:0 ENG

I realised I haven't done a cricket blog in yonks, so, here we go, here is my little opinion/rant about the last couple of miserable months for England Down Under. (I'm not on about the ODI series that started last weekend obviously, but good old test match cricket.)

Yep, Australia thrashed England to regain the Ashes, and they did so in style, 4-0, whilst the visitors just crumbled to bits again and again, the one draw being the only thing/straws they can clutch onto.

It surprised everyone, despite England not being anywhere near their best, but before the tour Australia looked nowhere near quality and experienced enough to win as strong, confident and comfortable as they did:

First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets

Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs

Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs

Fourth Test, Melbourne: Draw

Fifth Test, Sydney: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs

Here are factors I blame most for this:

The captain

Joe Root is just not good enough. Or rather, he is just too nice/naive. Not ruthless and decisive enough. The skipper just gets starts but no breakthroughs and most of the time it is too late by the time he gets on, the hole is too deep for him to dig England out of alone. The calls he makes in general fielding and other decisions like bowlers, nightwatchmen and follow-ons have just been blatantly and utterly wrong. Clueless. Shambles. All of us ending up scratching our heads.

The coach

The way players fell and fell again, not learning from their mistakes, you know something is wrong, not just with them, but their teachers/instructors/trainers as well. Trevor Bayliss has announced he will step down as England coach next year... 2019?! Too little too late! It's odd to give such long notice, leaving everything and everyone in a bit of a limbo. And what about a bowling coach??? That position's vacant since Ottis Gibson left last summer. If changes are not made where changes are needed, or holes are left, how can one expect improvement?! (And as I was writing and editing this article, Chris Silverwood has taken over and started his job as bowling coach this week. Good luck!!! He'll need it, plus a lot of patience!)

The selectors

Why do they always stick to the same line-up, when they are clearly/obviously/surely past their best and there are better/more in form/confident players out there?! Alastair Cook as an opener fell cheaply too many times, his double century in Melbourne was too little too late. James Anderson is the oldest but was the only bowler who really turned up and made a fight out of it, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes proving expensive at 50 runs per wicket and Moeen Ali just useless with both bat and ball. It was painful to watch at times.

The general mentality

From the start, England made all the wrong headlines, distracting and destroying any kind of team confidence and spirit. From Ben Stokes' Bristol nightclub brawl that saw him excluded from the tour, Ben Duckett's drink pouring episode over/with Anderson, to the Jonny Bairstow headbutt saga, England have been just all over the place, in bits, shattered it seemed. No discipline. No respect. Something I thought cricket always prided itself with over other sports like football where those kind of problems have been/are more common.

Team and man of the tournament

Australia just showed England how it's done, Pat Cummins (23 wickets), Mitchell Starc (my personal pick after taking 22 wickets despite missing the fourth test due to injury) and Josh Hazlewood (21 wickets) with the ball, man of the series Steve Smith with the bat and decisive captaincy. Exemplary. Consistent. Bang on. When it mattered most. Legendary? Only time will tell. But the Aussies can be very happy with themselves after this tournament.

With the ODI tournament England can and have hit out and get a bit of revenge. But it's the test match cricket they are not allowed to neglect and forget as they seemed to have done over the last months. I am worried. Very worried.

Click here for my previous cricket blog - yep, 2011, that's how long ago that was! Told ye! A wonderful year, the one where we won Down Under!!! #Memories

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC website, their Ashes and general cricket news and coverage.

England complete record 3-1 Ashes thrash

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 5th Test- Sydney - Day 5

Chris Tremlett got the last winning wicket for England, a memorable moment for the bowler, tailender Michael Beer (2) edging the ball onto his stumps and thereby completing England's third win by an innings and 83 runs and 3-1 Ashes thrashing against Australia.

England needed three wickets on the day but had to be patient as the Aussies never give up easy, Steven Smith (54*) with his second Test half century and Peter Siddle (46) with his highest Test score holding out a stubborn partnership of 86 with him and rain interrupting the game on the way.

But England got it all wrapped up before lunch thanks to James Anderson's catch at deep mid-wicket off Graeme Swann to take out Siddle (257-8), followed by the fast bowler's own wicket of Ben Hilfenhaus (7) caught behind (267-9), wicketkeeper Matt Prior's seventh catch of the match and 23rd of the series, and last but not least Tremlett to take the glory of the last wicket and Australia all out for 281, only one run more than in their first innings and still 83 runs behind England's big record bash of 644 the guests completed the previous day.

Alastair Cook got the Man of the Match and Series awards for his record of 766 runs and a massive average of 127.66 this series, which include 82 boundaries (81x4s + 1x6), three centuries including his hit of 189 in Sydney and unbeaten 235 in the opening match draw in Brisbane and two half centuries, which puts him a staggering 196 runs ahead of Mike Hussey in second place on the batting chart.

James Anderson was the bowler of the series with 24 wickets and 50 maidens, seven more wickets than his companion Tremlett, Mitchell Johnson being the top Australian bowler with 15 wickets followed by Siddle with 14 wickets, same as Swann and Steven Finn respectively.

Skipper Andrew Strauss has joined the exclusive list of Sir Leonard Hutton and Mike Brearley to become only the third England captain to win Ashes series at home and away.

Apart from the Waca episode, this series has shown how much work and improvement has gone into the England side and how much has changed since the 5-0 drubbing Down Under 4 years ago. Similar to 24 years ago, their last beating at home, the Aussies will have to rethink and make some major changes to their side if they want to change the downhill trend they have been on over the last couple of years.

Australia v England fifth Test fourth day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

- Australia 213-7: To the strains of "Jerusalem", it's James Anderson to open up, he has two slips and a gully for Steve Smith, who's batting in a sleeveless sweater. Free entry to the SCG today has meant that probably every Brit in New South Wales is there. Anderson is right on the money, Smith blocks out a maiden over.

- Australia 216-7: Chris Tremlett, who bowled quite beautifully yesteday, pings down a bouncer at Peter Siddle, and then has the toothy tail-ender groping outside off stump. Siddle scores the first run of the day when he jams his bat down and the ball squirms away from gully. Smith works a two off his legs, while the National Anthem is sung lustily, conducted by someone in a dress and an Elizabeth II mask.

- Australia 223-7: Cap'n Strauss is chewing gum at first slip, with the look of a hard-bitten Wild West gunslinger waiting to see off some outlaws at High Noon before riding off into the sunset. Tremlett bowls, Siddle gets an edge... but it squirms between third slip and gully, and it was a no-ball anyway. They run two. Ali Cook dons a helmet at short leg, I hope he's cleared space on his mantelpiece for the man of the series award. Siddle pushes a three, he has 24 and that's the fifty stand.

- RAIN STOPS PLAY - Australia 227-7: Siddle is still playing positively, hoicking Tremlett for three with an unorthodox cross-batted heave over the bowler's head. Simon Mann on TMS has noticed some rain... and they're going off! Nooooo.....

- Australia 230-7: Tremlett has to complete his over - two deliveries left. The first is down the leg side, the second is turned off his legs by Siddle... just wide of the man at square leg, and they run a double.

- Australia 252-7: Siddle pushes Swann for a couple of twos, he's on 42 and that's his highest Test score - beating the 40 he scored at Melbourne. "He's definitely got all-rounder potential," notes Vic Marks on TMS.

- WICKET, Siddle c Anderson b Swann 43 (Australia 257-8): Siddle swats Swann to leg, and it's straight down Anderson's throat in front of the Barmy Army at deep mid-wicket! One down, two to go...

- Australia 257-8: Ben Hilfenhaus is the new batsman, but he's not on strike as they crossed on the catch. Andrew the scorer reveals that Ponting and Clarke (combined) average 19.18 for the series, while Siddle averages 19.25.

- Australia 261-8 - NEW BALL AVAILABLE: Hilfenhaus is stout in defence against Bresnan, with three slips and a gully waiting for that edge. Gentle Ben is off the mark with a fluent cover drive for three, Smith moves on to 41 with a single (his highest Test score is 77 against Pakistan at Headingley last year). And the second new ball is available.

- APPEAL - NOT OUT - Australia 266-8 - NEW BALL TAKEN: Interesting move - the new ball is taken, but it's Chris Tremlett rather than James Anderson brandishing the new cherry. Smith heaves towards deep backward square leg, but safely, and they run a single. "I think Hilfenhaus may have a bit of a swish", says Vic Marks on TMS. The big seamer leg-glances a loose delivery from Tremlett for four, and England's lead is now under 100. Hilfenhaus is hit on the pad, there's an appeal... but it looked high. No review (we've not had many in this Test, to be honest).

- WICKET, Hilfenhaus c Prior b Anderson 7 (Australia 267-9): Single from Smith, Hilfenhaus nicks one and Anderson collects his 24th wicket of the series! Start the car - England are one wicket from winning the series!

- SMITH FIFTY - Australia 280-9: Smith rocks back and cuts Anderson for four, that's his second Test fifty from 85 balls. Smith's batting is more artisan than artist, an ugly shot brings him a single, and Beer survives once more.

- WICKET, Beer b Tremlett 2 (Australia 281 all out): The Barmies are still on their feet, Smith smears Tremlett to deep square leg but then refuses to take the single. The youngster is all ugly cross-batted strokes, one of which brings him a single, then Beer is bowled by Tremlett - edging onto his stumps - and it's all over!

CHAMPAGNE MOMENT: ENGLAND WIN FIFTH TEST BY AN INNINGS AND 83 RUNS, AND WIN THE ASHES 3-1!

Cook and Bell run riot to make Aussies suffer

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 5th Test - Sydney - Day 3

My picks of the third day:

Centurions Alastair Cook (189) and Ian Bell (115) shared a fine partnership of 154 to give England a lead of 208 at the end of day three at Sydney. England had started the day on 167-3, nightwatchman James Anderson (7) and Paul Collingwood (13) falling relatively early when Cook and Bell took over, taking England from 226-5 to 488-7, Matt Prior sticking by and still standing on 54 at stumps.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 277-5, 3 runs behind at lunch: England lose two wickets but Cook and Bell keep their heads screwed on right and even the keel, closing in on erasing the arrears.

2nd session, England 378-5, 98 ahead at tea: England are cruising with Cook breaking all the records and Bell joining in on frustrating the Aussie bowlers.

3rd session, England 488-7, 208 ahead at the end of day three: Cook and Bell had to fall eventually, but not before they established themselves and England with fine centuries and a strong lead.

Partnerships: Cook broke all sorts of records with his 189-run-stint this innings alone contributing to his overall total of 766 series runs and bringing over 2,200 minutes he batted this series to a successful end, overtaking the likes of John Edrich, Geoff Boycott, Graham Gooch and Denis Compton and leaving only Wally Hammond - who hit 905 in the 1928/29 Ashes - to conquer. Cook finally edged a tired drive to Mike Hussey at gully off Shane Watson after tea, ending the parternship at 154 and leaving Bell to go on to his first Ashes ton (115). But after two lucky escapes - one Snicko-nick-catch overturned on 67 and one return-catch dropped by Steven Smith on 84 - Bell also fell in the penultimate over of the day, edging an easy catch to Michael Clarke at slip off Mitchell Johnson. Prior was joined by Tim Bresnan and ended the day unbeaten on his second Ashes fifty (54*).

Bowlers: It hasn't been debutant Michael Beer's day and match that is for sure. You had to feel sorry for him after another review didn't go his way - Cook's flip went straight to Phillip Hughes at short-leg, but the replays showed the ball dropped just short and bounced into his hands. The same goes for all the bowlers really, Australia drawing a very sorry and frustrated picture as decisions and reviews didn't go their way throughout the day, with the batsmen staying on top. Peter Siddle and Beer got the early wickets, Watson and Johnson the late breakthroughs, but it was too little and too late in the end for Australia. They barely celebrated the latter wickets as they know the state of affairs, needing a win here to avoid losing the series but trailing by 208 runs.

Ups: More and more twists and turns with more salt on the Aussies' wounds added by the review system - it is all looking to go England's way at the moment, the Ashes, the decisions, the match, the series.

Downs: Is it worth trying to get a wicket fiddled when you know you will be found out? When Hughes went up cheering, you could see the question marks all over him and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin saw exactly what happened. The cameras and third umpired picked up on everything and got it right then anyways. Okay, Bell got a lucky escape when he sent the nick-catch to review and got it overturned although there was an obvious sound, but hey, it wasn't as much an obvious, blatant lie as some other... You are being watched, so don't try to fool yourself!

Hero to zero: Well, I don't think he ever was a hero really, but Collingwood, who was out for 13, has certainly seen better times. The 34-year-old has an average of only 15.54 runs in his last 10 Test matches and I'm not too sure he will get another chance to make up for it... Shame... But the main thing is we beat the Aussies , I'm sure he agrees!

Australia v England fifth Test third day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

1st session:

- Both England and Australia's players took to the field today with pink caps which were handed to Glenn McGrath at the bottom of the stairs to be auctioned off later. Pink everywhwere in fact at the SCG, it's a cricket ground as designed by Jordan. Hilfenhaus with the first over of the day...

- England 168-3: Nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson is on strike and he plays the first few balls well, standing on tip-toes to get above a short one before dropping his hands on another. Bit of in-swing to the left-handed Anderson and there's a strangled lbw appeal - still no reviews though, that was hooping down leg.

- WICKET, Anderson b Siddle 7 (England 181-4): Jimmy's gone - Siddle's first wicket of the match, pitching on middle, darting right and taking out off-stump, far too good for Anderson.

- England 197-4: Hilfenhaus gets another one to hoop back into Cook and the batsman is sawn in two. The Aussie seamers still not mixing up the angles against Cook, despite his 650 runs, surely they should be thinking about attacking Cook from around the wicket? A statue of Steve Waugh unveiled today at the SCG, which would be tremendous, if it didn't look a bit like Stan Laurel. Must arouse very mixed feelings, having a statue unveiled of you that doesn't look anything like you...

- England 212-4: Cook has now overtaken Hobbs and Boycott as high England scorers in Ashes series - ahead of him now are Gooch (673), Gower (732), Sutcliffe (734) and Hammond (905). Now, that's what you call illustrious. He moves to 90 with a cut for three, homing in on his third ton of the series. Short from Watson and Colly looks to fetch him from outside off, but doesn't quite time it.

- UMPIRE REVIEW: Left-arm spinner Beer drops short and is cut away for a couple... two more for Cook with a work to mid-wicket, he's now 99... GONE NEXT BALL! Cook flipping straight to the man at short-leg! No, it's going upstairs... NOT OUT! And rightly so, that bounced into Phil Hughes's hands at short-leg. Naughty, very naughty, and replays show wicketkeeper Haddin knew that wasn't out in the first place... England 221-4: You have to feel sorry for Beer, but both not out decisions have been correct. The Aussie fans may well boo, but it's Hughes who was the villain in that piece. Watson straight and full to Collingwood and the Durham man is looking like an lbw candidate at the moment, maiden over.

- WICKET, Collingwood c Hilfenhaus b Beer 13 (England 226-5): Six dots from Watson... here's Beer, who could have two Test wickets but has none instead... STRIKE THAT! Rancid shot by Collingwood, advancing down the track, looking to heave over the top and holing out to the man at mid-on.

- England 234-5: Cook has now batted for 2,000 minutes in this series, which is just six minutes short of the England record held by John Edrich, set in the 1970-71 series. Bit of turn for Beer, which will encourage Swanny up in the England dressing room, Cook shovels through mid-wicket for one, Bell adds a single. Seven overs until the new ball.

- England 259-5: Maiden over from Beer, Bell not taking any liberties with the inexperienced tweaker. As it stands, Cook has the highest average of any batsman in an Ashes series (many thanks, Niblett79 on Twitter) - 139.40, next to Bradman's 139.14 from the 1930 series. Simon Hughes doing his nut on TMS about the Aussie seamers' lack of imagination and inability to think for themselves - they're still not coming around the wicket to Cook, not sure why. Bell offered width by Siddle and Bell carves him away for four. New ball due...

- INTERVAL, LUNCH - England 277-5: Hilfenhaus was poor with the new ball, but he's been replaced by a man who could be even poorer - Johnson's first delivery is a wide, miles outside Bell's off-stump. Bell tucks off his hip to bring up the fifty partnership before Cook drops into the off-side and scampers one - could have been a run-out, but Johnson's throw on the turn just missed. Pretty insipid stuff from Mitchell, and that's luncheon.

2nd session:

- England 283-5: It's Hilfenhaus to continue, and he's really found things tough going this series - five wickets from four Tests at an average of 73.6, and Bell raises that a smidgeon with a peachy clip through mid-wicket for four.

- England 303-5: Poor from Johnson - short, wide and Cook piles into that, thrashing the ball through backward-point for four to bring up the England 300. The partnership now 77 from 135 balls and Cook and Bell are looking serene. Watson with another tight over, but Australia need more than tight, they need nice and tight with a slash down the side...

- DRINKS BREAK, England 329-5: That's like honey dripping off the back of a spoon from Bell, a sweet back-cut for a couple. Cook has now passed Sutcliffe's 734 runs, he's now fifth on England's overall list for series against any country. Drinks, and there's no dignity in that drinks cart...

- England 358-5: Cook, still concentrating like a hawk, has now racked up the second biggest aggregate by any Englishman in any Test series. Only Wally Hammond (905) to beat. Among those he has surpassed are Gooch in 1990, remember that. He got about 500 in one Test.

- INTERVAL, TEA - England 378-5: Two singles from Hilfenhaus's final over before tea, and England-wise, sessions don't come more satisfactory than that - Cook 188, Bell 62, the Aussies are taking a shellacking...

3rd session:

- WICKET, Cook c Hussey b Watson 189 (England 380-6): Cook's gone! He drives and squirts to Hussey in the gully, that was a neat catch diving low to his right... Cook's innings lasted 342 balls and included 16 fours - he has now batted for 36 hours and 11 minutes in this series. "Lovely," purrs Sir Boycs. Wicketkeeper Prior is next up the ramp and he sees out the rest of Watson's over.

- UMPIRE REVIEW: Prior off the mark with a clip off his pads for one. Bell's so comfortable out there he's now concentrating on aesthetics - he's just asked Umpire Bowden to trim some loose thread from his shirt... we've got a review, I think Bell's nicked one... NOT OUT! Hotspot's showing nothing, but the reaction of Bell is surely telling - he didn't review it immediately, conferring with Prior, which suggests to me he nicked it... but it's been overturned. The expression on Bell's face says it all, guilty little boy with his hand in the cookie jar... England 385-6: Bell wears one in the orchestras from Watson's final delivery, the Aussie fans enjoyed that. Guess what? Snicko says that was a nick from Bell, shame the boys upstairs aren't furnished with that information... Stump mic has also picked up that nick... I'll leave it now, but if I was an Aussie I'd be very annoyed, in fact I'd be livid.

- England 400-6: The inside of Michael Clarke's mind must look like something by Hieronymus Bosch, it's fast turning into a nightmare for him out there. Johnson back on and it's short and wide and Prior pulls him away to bring up the England 400. That's a snorter from Mitchell, pitching on leg and beating Bell's outside edge.

- DRINKS BREAK, England 433-6: Spitter from Johnson, that reared up off a length and took Bell on the gloves. The England seamers will be licking their lips at that, here's drinks...

- THAT'S 100, England 458-6: Prior eases down the ground for a single and Bell is on strike on 99. Bell surveys the scene before settling over his bat... Smith tosses one up and Bell drives, but for no run... Bell forces into the off-side and that's his maiden Ashes ton - he's not the Sherminator any more, Warnie, your boys just got owned...

- England 463-6: I am pleased to report that at least Haddin and Clarke clapped that Bell ton, not sure about anyone else, the camera didn't show them. A few boos from the Aussies in the crowd, but hey, no-one in this office is crying, we grew up on a diet of Aussie beatings. That ton from Bell took 209 balls and included 11 fours, it was his 31st innings against Australia. Three more for Bell with a chop down to third-man...

- MATT PRIOR 50 - England 484-6: Maiden over from Beer... sorry about that, was staring into space for that entire over... here's your man Mitchell Johnson, and let the Barmy Army barracking begin. Not sure it was wise of Mitchell to let his distaste for the Army be known, it's a bit like Jermain Defoe complaining before a North London derby about Arsenal fans having a tendency to be beastly. What a shot that is from Prior in the fading light, lofting Johnson over cover-point for four runs, and he squeezes through backward-point for his second fifty of the series, from only 54 balls - England lead by 204.

- WICKET, Bell c Clarke b Johnson 115 (England 487-7): Prior with that exaggerated glide of his down to third-man and he runs up one... Bell's gone! Fencing at a ball from Johnson and Clarke taking a low catch at first slip - he leaves the field to much applause from the Barmy Army and some boos from the Aussie contingent, about which he will not give a jot. By the way, that sixth-wicket partnership between Cook and Bell of 154 was a record for England at the SCG - better late than never... Timothy Bresnan is next up the ramp, can he tap some runs with the pressure off?

- BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY, England 488-7: Three men round the bat for Bresnan as Beer comes tip-toeing in like a butterfly with sore feet... Bresnan looks to mow him through the off-side but only succeeds in getting an inside-edge for nowt... they're going off for light, and don't be surprised if they don't come back tonight...

Cook builds England reply after Aussie revival

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 5th Test - Sydney - Day 2

My picks of the second day:

Mitchell Johnson (53) and Ben Hilfenhaus (34) made a fine revival for Australia with a smashing 76-partnership in 15 overs after the home side fell from 134-4 to 189-8 on day two of the fifth Test in Sydney. Australia were eventually all out for 280 and saw England openers Andrew Strauss (60 off 58) and Alastair Cook smash in a 98-partnership before the skipper fell. England dropped a couple more wickets before the end of the day, leaving Cook unbeaten on 61 and England on 167-3.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 230-8 at lunch: After losing four wickets for only 55 runs, Johnson and Hilfenhaus survived and performed a good recovery, sparing Australia from a total collapse and an embarrassing low total.

2nd session, Australia 280 all out, England 73-0, 207 behind at tea: England finally broke the Johnson-Hilfenhaus partnership and Australia fell all out soon after. England will be happy with their strong opening partnership and start of reply.

3rd session, England 167-3, 113 behind at the end of day two: England frustrated Australia, no decisions going the hosts' way and the batsmen making it as difficult as possible for the bowlers whilst keeping the scoreboard ticking and opener Cook holding and scoring on well.

Partnerships: England must have gone into the day thinking they will be batting before lunch not expecting the 76-run partnership with a smashing half-century innings by Johnson (53) and fine contribution from Hilfenhaus (34). Once Johnson fell, bowled by Tim Bresnan, Hilfenhaus followed soon after, caught behind off James Anderson and Australia were all out for 280, a more respectable total than feared and expected by the home side after collapsing to 189-8. England in reply made a fine opening with skipper Strauss smashing in 60 off 58 and a 98 partnership with Cook, who is still standing on 61 after being given out on 46, caught at mid-on off debutant spinner Michael Beer, but reviews showed it was a no-ball. After Strauss was eventually bowled by Hilfenhaus, Jonathan Trott followed soon after also bowled by Johnson and out for his first duck, it looked like Hilfenhaus and Johnson were there to spoil the show for England again. But Kevin Pietersen (36) calmed England's nerves and evened things out again with a fine little stint before he was caught by Beer from the long-leg boundary off Johnson and nightwatchman Anderson had to take over.

Bowlers: Hilfenhaus (34 runs and 1 wicket) and Johnson (53 runs and 2 wickets) are without a doubt the stars of the day, with bat and ball, sparing Australia from total embarrassment and leaving them in this match with more than a shout. Beer got his debut wicket too - on a no-ball, which is unforgivable for a spinner! It was most certainly not all sweetness and light and saviour for the Aussies as England smashed and bashed in well enough to frustrate and sour the taste for them. Anderson took four wickets including the last one with Hilfenhaus. Paul Collingwood and Bresnan contributed with one each, the latter getting the most crucial break and victim with Johnson. They all made it a juicy, action-packed day, see how and against whom it will turn tomorrow...

Ups: Just when you thought the Aussies were on their knees, their lower-order decides to smash and spoil the show and make a match of it - that makes one perfect, spicy encounter!

Downs: I can't find one thing to moan about really, makes a change!

Hero to zero: From centurion, record scorer and man of the match to zero, Trott will not want to remember this one. After just six deliveries, the duck left the field after dragging the ball onto his stumps and left fears of a crumble for England. It all belongs to the game and every strong player has had it and has to come back stronger from it. It all belongs to the experience - ask most of the Australian batsmen!

Australia v England fifth Test second day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

1st session:

- WICKET, Haddin c Prior b Anderson 6 (Australia 143-5): Haddin with a proud looking punch into the covers for two as the sun makes its maiden appearance in this match. Anderson gets a spot of in-duck that tucks Haddin up... and he's gone next ball! Feet staked to the turf, a wild and windy waft outside off and Prior has him on toast.

- DRINKS BREAK, Australia 158-5: Smith remaining watchful against Swann, just the one run from his over, a squirt down to fine-leg for one. Bresnan to continue and he tests Smith out with a bit of chin music - not particularly well-played, an attempted hook without much control. One run for it, here comes the drinks cart...

- WICKET, Hussey b Collingwood 33 (Australia 171-6): Collingwood drags one in short and Hussey's rocks back and tugs him away for a couple. I was introduced to The Only Way Is Essex over the Yuletide period... SHUT UP DIRS, COLLINGWOOD'S CLEANED UP HUSSEY! Nothing shot from Hussey, inside-edge onto pad, stumps splattered...

- WICKET, Smith c Collingwood b Anderson 18 (Australia 187-7): Sorry Aussies, I just jinxed your boy - awful shot from Smith, looking to trolley Anderson over cover and edging to Collingwood at third slip...

- WICKET, Siddle c Strauss b Anderson 2 (Australia 189-8): England keep picking up wickets at the right time, and the Aussies aren't exactly making them graft for them - poor shots from Haddin, Hussey and Smith, who handed Anderson his 19th wicket of the series. Siddle squirts through imaginary fourth slip for a couple and he's gone two balls later, edging to Strauss at first slip - England dropping nothing.

- INTERVAL, LUNCH - Australia 230-8: Tremlett loses his line and Johnson fills his boots, tickling the ball to the boundary. Tremlett goes leg-side again and Johnson heaves him away for one more before Hilfenhaus edges past Bresnan at gully for one. Not sure why Bresnan's at gully - they started off with KP, then it was Anderson, now it's Bresnan. That's lunch, the Aussies throwing back before the break...

2nd session:

- MITCHELL JOHNSON 50 - Australia 261-8: Johnson getting stuck into Swann now - first he hoicks him through mid-wicket for four before upping the volume, heaving him over the top for six. And there's his fifty - neat shot that, a checked dab into the leg-side. The SCG crowd rises, Mitchell has given them hope...

- WICKET, Johnson b Bresnan 53 (Australia 265-9): Two more for Johnson, who now has six Test fifties, courtesy of a drive into the covers before Hilfenhaus misses out with an attempted hook. Bresnan gives him the look, Hilfenhaus grins and shrugs... Johnson's gone two balls later! Bresnan with a ball that comes back a touch and he rips out Johnson's off-stump.

- WICKET, Hilfenhaus c Prior b Anderson 34 (Australia 280): That's all folks - Anderson does the trick with his first ball since lunch, Hilfenhaus having a woof at a short ball and feathering to Prior behind the stumps...

- Very irritating runs from Johnson and Hilfenhaus, from an England point of you, very valuable from an Aussie point of you - it's late runs like that that can make all the difference...

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, England 20-0: Bored of full inswingers, Hilfenhaus switches to bouncers and watches Strauss pull both of them for four. Back to plan A? Indeed, and here's an lbw appeal but that's not out and there's no review. We still haven't had a review in the match which means umpires Bowden and Dar are on hot form.

- England 50-0: Siddle to continue and he does what Michael Vaughan thinks he should do, ploughing a line on the top of off-stump. Watson doing some stretches, we could have him into the attack soon. Cook leaving well, and as Watson has already shown, that's a pretty good shot on this pitch... so is that, a swivel-pull to bring up the fifty partnership in only 10 overs.

- INTERVAL, TEA - England 73-0: That is crackerjack from Strauss - over-pitched from Siddle and the England skipper laces him through the covers for four. Laminate that and stick it up on your bedroom ceiling. That's tea time, what a session for England, the momentum ripped back from the hosts - for now...

3rd session:

- WICKET, Strauss b Hilfenhaus 60 (England 98-1): Strauss is a goner! Hilfenhaus has been threatening to do that, getting the ball to swing back in to the England skipper before nipping it away off the seam and ripping out off-stump - to be fair, almost unplayable.

- WICKET, Trott b Johnson 0 (England 99-2): Too straight from Johnson and Cook nurdles him for a single... TROTT'S GONE! One wicket brings another, as often happens in cricket, the Warwickshire man dangling his bat and dragging Johnson on...

- DRINKS BREAK, England 118-2: One for Cook before Pietersen slams a size 12 down the pitch and laces Hilfenhaus through the covers for four. Drinks.

- UMPIRE REVIEW: A first Test wicket for Beer?! Cook looking to heave him over mid-wicket and holing out to the man at mid-on! Hang on a minute! The umpires are going upstairs, Bowden reckons it could be a no-ball! Surely not, he's spinner after all... NOT OUT, England 145-2: Deary me, Umpire Bowden's got it right, Beer overstepped - that is unforgivable from a spinner, and a huge boon for England. Not only is it a life for Cook, Beer will feel as though he's just had his head skimmed off. Cook picks up one to mid-wicket before Pietersen picks up a couple with a flick off his pads. Big moment...

- WICKET, Pietersen c Beer b Johnson 36 (England 165-2): PIETERSEN'S GONE! A well-directed bumper from Johnson, KP throws the bat at it and your man Beer takes the catch running in from the long-leg boundary. He's just not learning...

- CLOSE OF PLAY, England 167-3: Johnson with the final six balls of the day... short-leg wheeled into place, as well as a leg slip, three slips, two gullys and a short extra cover - and that's horrible from Johnson, short and fast and Anderson plays that very, very well. That's a ripper from Johnson but Anderson plays it well again, dropping his hands on it and watching it scoot through... well played James Anderson, real tough situation that and he acquitted himself well - stumps.

Cook century puts England in command

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 2nd Test - Adelaide Oval - Day 2

My picks of the second day:

Alastair Cook put England on top on the second day at the Adelaide Oval, hitting in 138* of the 317 runs and giving the guests a 72-run lead. Jonathan Trott (78) and Kevin Pietersen (85*) enjoyed their fair share of runs in partnership with the centurion and will be looking to continue the run - to Australia's despair, who thought they got their breakthrough(s) but were left on the back foot and blank-faced to their misfortunes.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 90-1, 155 behind, at lunch: After losing the early wicket and a couple of lucky escapes, England will be the happier side for now. Australia mourn the missed chance, fortune still avoiding them.

2nd session, England 198-2, 47 behind, at tea: Another wicket down, but England are still in command, leaving the Aussie bowlers clueless and a bit gobsmacked that still nothing is going their way.

3rd session, England 317-2, 72 ahead, at the end of day two: England on top with centurion Cook and his partner KP on his way to his own century scoring freely and not feeling much pressure from Bollinger and Harris.

Partnerships: Andrew Strauss will have cursed himself for leaving the ball which went on and took the bails off the stumps and sent him back into the pavilion with only one run. The start of the day for England looked very similar to Australia's morning, with confusion and errors that could have proved costly for the guests. But fortune was definitely more with them, Trott being dropped twice before he eventually fell for 78 (144), adding 173 runs to the board together with Cook. Much criticised Pietersen ended the day still on the crease together with Cook, adding 85 (141) to the 141 partnership so far and looking too comfortable for the host's liking. It was all about partnering with starman Cook today, who stands unbeaten on 136 (246), taking his series total so far to 438 after his unbeaten double-century at Brisbane.

Bowling: Once Australia were spoilt for choice in wicket takers, match winners and control takers with the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Brett Lee or Stuart Clark on the list. Nowadays they are left clueless and wondering what it takes, what they need to change their fortune and take over or just something out of the match. Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris came in for Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus but haven't shown much to explain or justify their selection. They did get a wicket each, the prior lucky to see Strauss give his stumps away, the latter seeing Trott out with Michael Clarke taking a very good catch at midwicket after he was dropped twice before. Neither was much of a breakthrough though as partnerships of 173 and 141* following and still going on respectively.

Ups: England are having a field day and match so far. Especially good for Cook as there were many doubters whether he was worth keeping the opening spot. England will hope the trend and luck will continue...

Downs & Hero to zero: Australia are a shadow of the side they used to be, which is a shame for the game. Obviously England fans won't be moaning about it, but, if we want a juicy competition, the Aussies will have to pick themselves up somehow and right now I cannot see from where or with whom they will do that...

Australia v England second Test day two as it happened:

As I didn't get to catch the action live, I have to leave you with a BBC Link.

Record breakers England draw with Australia

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 1st Test - Brisbane - Day 5

My picks of the fifth and final day:

Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott broke record after record on the fifth and final day at the Gabba. England declared 517-1, 296 ahead, and took a wicket before tea to make the hosts more than nervous, but in the end Australia survived the last session without losing any further wickets, turning the obvious prediction of the morning into the result at the end of the day and leaving honours and spoils even after the first Test.



Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 439-1, 218 ahead at lunch: England in dreamland with all top three batsmen scoring centuries for the first time since 1924. Superb morning for batting, Australia would rather forget about it, hardly any fans in the ground apart from a happy, dancing, singing and dancing English bunch.

2nd session, England declared on 517-1, 296 ahead, Australia 11-1 at tea: All records and eyes are on England. Stuart Broad gets the early breakthrough and first wicket of the day - can they do the impossible and get Australia all out in the last innings of the day and match? As we have learnt from this match, nothing is impossible...

3rd session, Australia 107-1, 189 behind, match drawn at the end of the fifth and final day: England could not do the impossible and grab a win in the end, but a draw is still a result-and-a-half for the guests, especially in what fashion and after the first disastrous couple of days! Record breaking match from both sides, draw it is, bring on Adelaide.

Partnerships:

Sir Jack Hobbs, Herbert Sutcliffe and Frank Woolley were the last top three batsmen to score centuries in the same innings for England against Australia, back in 1924, fourth man Patsy Hendren adding his half-century to the lot. Cook scored his maiden double-century from 361 balls in 537 minutes and is only the second to do so in Australia since WWII, Paul Collingwood the other in 2006, overtaking Sir Ian Botham's record top score for an Englishman in an Ashes Test at the Gabba and Donald Bradman's record of top scorer ever in Brisbane, too. Trott was dropped twice on 34 and 75 by Michael Clarke and ended up scoring 135, his second Ashes century in as many appearances, and building a record partneship of 329 with Cook - breaking the previous record of 307 runs produced by Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin only two days before. In the end, Australia were spared any shocking fall by Ricky Ponting's 51st half century from only 40 balls and his partnership of 102 runs with Shane Watson, ending the day and match with a draw and that bit more honorable for the Aussies.

Bowling: It was more the fielders that let down their sides most with drops all over the place. First Clarke missed a sitter at slip by Trott off Watson, his second drop v Trott (on 34 and 75), then the third umpire reckoned Cook's shot didn't carry to Ponting at mid-wicket who was not happy with the decision as he thought he had gotten his fingers underneath; and to make things from bad to worse the skipper misses a sitter in the slips a couple of overs later, Cook the lucky one again. England didn't go without a drop either - Cook, of all fielders, the one you can always count on, top-catcher, dropping Watson. We will never know if any of those misses would turned the match around again. But, I think we had enough twists and turns for one match, in record-breaking fashion. I can't wait until Thursday night, when the second Test kicks off for us here in the UK...

Ups: There were hardly any Australian fans left - it was a game of spot the Aussie in the crowd on the last day, with the England fans taking over. The little in numbers they were, the louder and more encouraging they were for their team, the 12th man alright on this day. And they were rewarded alright for all their effort.

Downs: As mentioned yesterday, after seeing both sides playing their hearts out, it was a shame to see no result out of all the action and drama and records and blunders and wonders. It is definitely a promising indication of what's to come though and a brilliant promotion for the game and tournament.

Hero to zero: Australia somehow lost the plot. At the end of day three you thought the match was the Aussies oyster and it would give them the best start to this Ashes tournament they could have wished for. But, how do they say, every game has two halves, every match has two innings and England will have thanked god for that in this match. The second innings turned the match around, turning England from zeroes to heroes, and the Aussies... Well, you get the gist...

Australia v England first Test day five as it happened

1st session:

- 152 off 271 partnership and 150 off 302 for Alastair Cook, his third 150, England with a solid start to the morning v Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle, 340-1, 119 ahead, Jonathan Trott on 66 off 146.

- Mitchell Johnson on for Australia, looking to find some kind of form. Trott dropped at first slip on 75 off Johnson, straight to Clarke and straight out of his hands, England 365-1 at the end of that over, 144 ahead. Blank Aussie faces, Trott was walking, completing about three steps thinking that was the end of his innings for sure. Trott dropped by Clarke on 34 and 75.

- 17 overs, 61 runs, 0 wickets so far this morning, England 370-1, 149 ahead. Xavier Doherty on for Australia.

- 150 lead comes up for England next delivery. Shane Watson v Cook at the other end.

- 191 partnership highest for England v Australia, Cook's career best on 175, record after record after record for England, 379-1, 158 ahead at the end of that over. 20 overs, 78 runs from it.

- Next ball: 200 partnership off 333 balls, Cook contributing 104 off 157 from his total of 176 off 333 and Trott 83 off 176.

- Boundary after boundary for England, including a sweet 6 for Cook and 8 byes by Doherty, 400 comes up for England, 402-1, 181 ahead, 214 off 344 partnership, healthy run rate of 4.2 so far this morning.

- Highest successful run chase so far at Brisbane has been 236 for Australia...

- Marcus North comes into attack v Trott. Boundary brings up 200 lead for England.

- Btw: It's the first time ever there's no English nor Australian batsman in the ICC top 10, Trott the highest England player on 12th... Surely that will change after this Test's records?!

- More records tumbling... Cook on 199, his highest ever score. Trott on 93.

- Cook hesitant but gets single to give him his maiden double-century from 361 balls in 537 minutes, only the second to do so in Australia since WWII, Paul Collingwood the other in 2006. England 434-1, 213 ahead, 246 partnership, last over before lunch.

- Cook on 201, Trott on strike on 95. Trott v Doherty: 2 0 0 0 3 and a century for Trott before lunch, his fourth century, second v Australia, the celebrations show how much it means to him, 100 off 213.

- 0 off the last ball, 251 partnership, England go to lunch 218 ahead at 439-1 off 133 overs, all top three batsmen with centuries for the first time since 1924. Superb morning for batting, Australia would rather forget about it, hardly any fans in the ground apart from a happy, dancing, singing and dancing English bunch. See how far England can and will want to take it until they declare, if they declare, and if they can scare Australia out of a draw and into defeat. I would think and feel to just smash it in after lunch, treat it like a ODI or 20twenty and see how far the total can go before getting the Aussies in flapping... Just my idea... But I'm not at the crease... And better for it I think! :-P A happy lunch-nap for me... :-D

2nd session:

- Last time all top three England batsmen got centuries was 1924, Hobbs, Sutcliffe and Woolley, Hendren adding his half century.

- Ponting catch, but has it carried? It's sent to the third umpire Tony Hill, no great celebration, given not out, Cook survives on 209, England 457-1. Not sure whether it bounced or the skipper got his fingers underneath, no celebration, I think that's what let the Aussies down, no reaction by anyone, weariness, no appeal whatsoever, whether it's because of the scoreboard or because they had doubts about the catch and whether it's carried is for them to know, but the umpires weren't impressed, that's for sure, so not out stands eventhough and even if Ponting has his objections.

- Cook boundary brings up 250 partnership.

- Appeal for lbw next ball not given, Australia with no reviews left, boundary next ball to add salt onto the wound - replays show it was marginally outside the line but hit the stumps, umpire's call would have stood anyway.

- Aaaaand another drop for Ponting at first slip on the off-side!

- Trott smashes the next ball down the pitch for four, the salt-on-wound trend continues, the England batsmen anihilating the Aussie bowlers.

- Single brings up 300 partnership off 479, England 494-1, 273 lead end of that (146th) over.

- A boundary smashed in by Cook and more byes conceded by Australia bring up the record partnership, highest at the ground, breaking Haddin and Hussey's record that was set a just a couple of days ago and brings up England's half-millennium, 503-1 end of that over.

- 505-1, 284 ahead, and drinks come on end of the next over.

- Cook on 230 breaking Don Bradman's record from the 1930s to become highest scorer ever at this ground, Trott on 128, 317 partnership off 494 deliveries, Johnson and Doherty both conceding over a century each.

- 513-1 after 150 overs, Cool 233, Trott 133, 292 lead. Will England declare? If so, when? When they pass the 300 mark on the lead?

- Stuart Broad has left his seat (to warm up I give it a guess), and yes, Strauss comes out and calls his men in, Cook 235 (sixth highest score ever v Australia - and he could have gone on!), Trott 135, 329 partnership, England 517-1 after 152 overs. 1.5 sessions left, Australia need 297 to win off 41 overs left in the day (required rate of 7.24), England need ten wickets off 246 balls (that means they have 24.6 balls per wicket or in other words, a wicket every 6-7 overs).

- Big cheers for England as they come on, Aus 0-0 & 481; England 260 & 517-1 dec.

- Shane Watson v James Anderson to kick off the last and decisive innings of the match - who would have thought it would have been England all smiles and hopeful, ey?

- First over a solid maiden over, good start for Anderson, defend, defend, defend for Australia.

- Stuart Broad v Simon Katich, slight changes to the field discussed and made, three slips, a gully and one at short leg, Katich off the mark, 2-0 at the end of the second over.

- Katich edges it and is gone, caught by Strauss off Broad, out for 4 off 16, Australia 5-1, first wicket of the day and nine to go...

- Ricky Ponting to the crease...

- Three slips and a gully, short mid-wicket and a silly one on the off-side, the skipper's off the mark with a single from the third delivery he faces, off his glove. 6-1 at the end of that over.

- Four fielders on the legside v Ponting, Anderson going straight at him, Kevin Pietersen conceding four overthrows with a boundary what was just a single for Australia, Anderson not happy at all, 11-1.

- Brilliant over by Anderson to make it 11-1 at tea after 7 overs. All records and eyes are on England.

3rd session:

- Anderson and Broad having their goes at Watson and Broad. Temperaments flowing over a bit. Australia 30-1.

- Graeme Swann into attack, boundary off his second ball. Ponting edges it to first slip but is dropped by Collingwood, should have been a wicket!

- Broad still at the other end, Australia 36-1.

- 43-1, Steven Finn on...

- Australia end the day on 107-1, Ponting reaching his 51st half century and Watson on 40ish. A draw it is but it was everything else but a given, obvious, boring match. Day one and two, you thought England were going to get a thrashing and beating of a lifetime, on day three that trend changed thanks to the last session and 5 wickets for only 45 runs. The last two days were all England and you thought - could they do the impossible and grab a win?! They didn't in the end, but a draw is still a result-and-a-half for England, especially in what fashion and after the first disastrous couple of days! Record breaking match from both sides, draw it is, bring on Adelaide! :-D

England fightback is full on at the Gabba

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 1st Test - Brisbane - Day 4

My picks of the fourth day:

England fought back hard, skipper Andrew Strauss with his first century in Australia and his opening partner Alastair Cook also reaching a landmark century, his 14th, the first time since 1938 that both England openers have reached a century against Australia, Charlie Barnett and Len Hutton the last ones at Trent Bridge. It was a day to forget and a tale of woes for the Aussies, just one wicket from it, a lot of missed chances, slip-ups and mis-haps, England finishing the day on 309-1, 88 ahead.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 135-0, 86 behind, at lunch: England will be the happier to have survived the ealy scares, Strauss especially. Australia will wonder how they haven't got the breakthrough yet, nothing going their way, the visitor stayin put and keeping the scoreboard ticking.

2nd session, England 238-1, 17 ahead, at tea: England not showing any signs of backing down or going soft after losing their skipper, batting and scoring on safe and sound, Australia missing more chances, the day backfiring on them big time.

3rd session, England 309-1, 88 ahead, at the end of day four: England ending the day smoothly, not going too OTT on the bat, just keeping it going constantly, Australia having used up all their reviews just looking more and more desperate. It's like day three in reverse... Apart from the last session that is...

Partnerships: Strauss and Cook didn't quite get to emulate Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin, but at least they set out a good platform for England bat on, showing the Aussies that the guests are not there to crumble at the first challenge. They didn't quite flash and thrash it but that would have been too risky. They just kept at it nice and neatly, a couple of shouts and scares but the trend just showed it was going their way. Strauss then got himself out in silly fashion, maybe a bit over-confident after reaching the century, coming forward to attack a shot, too far out, nearly halfway down the pitch and ended up stumped by Haddin off Marcus North. Shame ending to an exemplary innings which you felt could and should have gone on for another couple of session if he could and would have resisted temptation. Jonathan Trott came in to join Cook, had a couple of close shaves too but is looking to be building up a good partnership with Cook too.

Bowling: It just wasn't Mitchell Johnson's day - dropping a catch, getting nothing out of the ball. North got the only wicket of the day, the man of the first innings Peter Siddle getting close calls but not much more out of the pitch either, same for Ben Hilfenhaus and Xavier Doherty. Australia used up their reviews desperate for wickets, wasting them on a couple of obvious not-outs. It was just fascinating to see the contrast to their first bowling innings and the similarities to England frustrating bowling innings - the Gabba's pitch is definitely not the bowler's friend.

Ups: What a difference a day makes again! Finally England showed they can be patient, consistent and not waste and give away chances and wickets and make it all too easy for the Aussies like in the Aussies. Finally it looks more like a competition - although a draw seems like the most likely result.

Downs: I hope it won't end up a draw - either way, both sides have played their hearts out so deserve more out of it... I know it's not possible to give both of them a win, but this match just deserves more than a draw...

Hero to zero: I think the Australian bowlers will be feeling like they have woken up to the wrong film in contrast to the first innings. They thought they were all ruling and cruising, just to be pegged back by the English batsmen - as mentioned, the Gabba is definitely not on the bowlers' fave list...

Australia v England first Test day four summary:

1st session:

31 overs bowled this morning, England 135-0, 86 runs behind, after 46 overs, Strauss on 79, Cook 51 at lunch. The skipper will be glad he got away with the chance he gave away earlier, Mitchell Johnson dropping him. Cook meanwhile is looking solid and backing up Strauss well, both left-handers enjoying their share of boundaries on the onside. Mitchell Johnson is still struggling to find his Test form on the field and with the ball whilst Siddle and Haddin are trying to pace it up and get something out of the pitch, but failing so far. England definitely the happier side after the start of the day.

2nd session:

England 238-1 at tea from, 17 ahead. Strauss out for 110 (224), 15 fours, 0 sixes. The skipper got himself out in silly fashion, maybe a bit over-confident after reaching the century, he came forward to attack a shot, too far out, nearly halfway down the pitch and got stumped by the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off Marcus North. Shame ending to an exemplary innings which you felt could and should have gone on for another couple of session if he could and would have resisted temptation. Cook is on 98* (200), 8 fours, 0 sixes, looking solid and the more responsible backup player, partner you can count on, nothing too flashy or risky. Trott is on 23 (47), 50 partnership of 71 balls at the break, see what the two can build up together and what Australia can change and do with the new ball due in two overs after the break.

3rd session:

Cook reaches his 14th test century, his second against Australia in the second over of the session, just before the new ball is due. This is the first time since 1938 that both England openers have reached a century, Charlie Barnett and Lan Hutton. Cook 103* off 207, 9 fours. New ball available to the Aussies now and taken, Hilfenhaus v Trott after they have given the uneven pitch a workover. Chance missed: catch slipped through Siddle's hands, couldn't quite get there, went through and past him for four instead. England 255-1, lead by 34 runs after 3 overs of the last session, reach their 30th boundary in the next over thanks to Trott now on 32*. Dropped by Clarke at backward-point on 34, the ball bounces out of Clarke's finger tips when he hits the floor, Siddle was already celebrating, good dive, stretch and effort, no luck for the Aussies (we know the feeling!), England 265-1, 44 ahead. 309-1 at the end of day four, 88 ahead.