The Australians were too good for the English in this summer down under, as they won the Sydney Test by 5 wickets and with it, most emphatically, won the Ashes 4-1.
England were already struggling when the day began. With just two wickets left in the shed and only 119 runs ahead, a lot depended on Jacob Bethell who was nearing his 150. However, the young Englishman was caught behind off Mitch Starc for 154 which more or less ended the English resistance. Mathew Potts though struck a few shots but eventually it was all over for 342. Australia were set a target of 160 to win the Sydney Test.
Travis Head and Weatherald made a brisk start with Brydon Carse and Weatherald getting into some heated banter. The target was hardly challenging on a good Sydney pitch. Even day 5 had nothing much for the bowlers, barring a few balls that spun and bounced.
England did scalp 5 Aussie wickets, but could not change the writing on the wall. Australia comfortably scaled the target and emerged victorious.
The Ashes, though, went in Australia’s favour decisively; there were moments when England had the upper hand, but the Aussies played the big moments better, barring the MCG test.
England had the quality in the squad to challenge a depleted Australian side. Pat Cummins played just one test, while Hazelwood did not feature at all. Nathan Lyon, too, was sparingly used by Australia. But England just imploded when they were required to be circumspect.
Taking a holistic view, the English batters, barring Joe Root to an extent and Jacob Bethell in the last Test, hardly put a price on their wicket. They gave it away too easily. Ben Duckett, unfortunately, had a poor Ashes. Zak Crawley played a couple of good innings, but nothing which could alter the course of the series. Harry Brook flattered to deceive, not doing justice to his immense talent. It was too much of an ask for Ben Stokes in the end, and the talisman just could not do it alone. He is human after all.
Mitch Starc, Travis Head, Alex Carey and Michael Neser were the cornerstones of Australia’s success. They produced the goods when it really mattered. No wonder Mitch Starc was adjudged the Player of the Series for his 31 wickets at less than 20 a piece. He scored a couple of fifties too. Travis Head was the Player of the Match for his brilliance with the bat.
England have a lot to think about after this Ashes debacle. They need to get back to the drawing board and reassess ‘Bazball’.
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