England bit the dust as they handed over the much coveted Ashes to Australia at the lush green bowl in Perth.
The result was anticipated after England’s crushing defeats in the first two Tests. Distractions off the field or not, England have only themselves to blame for their miserable plight.
Losing Ben Stokes to a bar incident before the series began did not help. But there were others who could have stepped up their game instead.
Reasons aside, the Australians must be complemented for their thorough destruction of the Old Enemy.
The warfare was both psychological and on the field. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon started the mind games by making critical comments about the England team even before they reached Australia.
Others joined in. The composition of the England team, with many newcomers, evoked derision. Questions like “Vince who? Malan who?” were raised.
England showed much bravado and brushed off these allegations. But it wasn’t enough.
England were left wanting in all departments of the game. The batting blossomed only in bits. The bowling was wayward at crucial moments and catches were dropped at vital moments.
Worse still, England’s batting mainstays of yore Alistair Cook and Joe Root were woefully out of touch. Cook never looked confident and his pushes and prods ultimately lead to his downfall.
Skipper Root fell out of form at the wrong moment. He was the fulcrum of the inexperienced middle-order and his lack of runs kept England always at edge.
However, to their credit, both James Vince, who driving on the off-side is sheer joy, and Dawid Malan have given hope for the future. Malan, in particular, has been scoring runs regularly and chalked up his maiden hundred at Perth.
If England have to win, Root and Cook have to contribute big. But that did not happen.
England’s bowlers were only impressive in patches and their lack of application cost the team heavily.
The Australian selectors deserve a two-thumbs up for their selection hunches. Shaun Marsh was brought back from the wilderness for the eighth time and he has made a big impact.
His brother Mitchell Marsh was also recalled on potential alone. He delivered in style with a big hundred at a crucial juncture.
Tim Paine took over the wicketkeeping duties despite not being a regular with his state team Tasmania. Picked more for his batting, he contributed regularly.
But there was one man who singlehandedly reigned supreme so far in the three Tests. Skipper Steve Smith was the one factor who controlled the course of the Ashes.
He was in magnificent with the bat, scoring a key 141 not out in the first Test and 239 in the third Test.
These innings came when Australia were in trouble and it underlined the fighting spirit of the team.
His captaincy was also spot on and his bowling changes at crucial junctures paid dividends.
The Australian bowling machine was accurate with Mitchell Starc leading from the front.
The onus now is on England to redeem themselves with two Tests remaining. The young guns in the side are firing after a slow start.
But Cook and Root need to find their form. They are the vital cogs in the wheel. And the bowlers need to show more determination and crank up their speeds.
Otherwise another Ashes whitewash stares at their face.
- Mogambo Khush Hua! - July 13, 2019
- Five Spoofs To Make Your Day - July 7, 2019
- Have You Seen These Aamir Khan Classics? - June 29, 2019
