ENGLAND RETAIN THE ASHES!

England have retained the Ashes. Yes, England have retained the Ashes. Is it just CricketChicks or does that get better every time you say it?!

England’s performance at the MCG was a master class in how to play cricket. Winning the toss on an overcast day and with a green topped pitch, Andrew Strauss made exactly the right decision when he elected to bowl first. He (and Andy Flower) also made the right decision in electing to leave out Steven Finn (currently England’s leading wicket taker) for Tim Bresnan, who, on a slow and low pitch, provided control as well as chipping in with some vital wickets. Meanwhile, Chris Tremlett proved he was much more than a ‘horses for courses’ pick at the WACA, adjusting his length to snare four vital wickets. Together, Bresnan and Tremlett didn’t do bad for a second string bowling attack and, with James Anderson added to the mix, the result was carnage. Australia all out for 98. Yes, Australia all out for 98. Is it just CricketChicks or does that also get better every time you say it?!

England’s reply was mighty as the batsman, this time, conducted a lesson in leaving anything wide of off stump. Solid in defence and confident in his stroke play, Jonathon Trott was by far the stand out batsman. While he may not be pretty (and in fact at times rather annoying) he is a mighty effective number three. A line-up without him, seems unimaginable now. In contrast a line-up without Paul Collingwood seems ever more likely. Another low score and some missed catches, while fielding at slip to Graeme Swann, may prove to be the final nail in his coffin. The question, however, is whether England will give Collingwood another chance or prove to be as ruthless as they were with Finn. If he does play, the Sydney Test will be a massive opportunity for Collingwood to prove that he is still capable of playing at the highest level, while if he doesn’t, it will be a massive opportunity for his most likely replacement, Eoin Morgan, to stake a claim for the number five position.

While England’s only problem seems to be the form of Collingwood, Australia’s are much, much bigger. Well and truly hammered in this Test, the wheels appear to have well and truly come off for Ricky Ponting. His verbal tirade at both umpires shows a man desperate to keep not only his job but his place in the side. Yet, as was revealed today, this decisions seems to have been taken out of dear old Ricky’s hands as the selectors announced he would miss the final Test. While the reason given is Ricky’s damaged little finger, one can’t help feeling that it has more to do with national embarrassment and a lack of patience. It seems there can be no way back for Ricky. It’s a sorry end to a quality batsman’s career, but, if any consolation can be offered, it seems unlikely that Michael Clarke will do any better. Not only is he, reportedly, highly unpopular amongst the team but he simply doesn’t have the quality of players the Aussies once took for granted. It’s for this simple reason that Australia are two down and in all probability will be three down by the end of the series.

All England have to do is to continue as they have. 2-2 doesn’t nearly sound as convincing as 3-1. Now, that score-line really would be something worth re-saying.