It was a blip. Perth was a blip. Christmas was a blip. And the gap in this blog of the Ashes was a blip. I apologize to my reader.
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| "And if I squeeze a bit harder I can end your Test career too." |
England absolutely demolished Australia at the M.C.G, the game effectively over by the end of day one, if not by Tea on day one. You can't win a Test match in a session - but apparently it only takes two. Anderson, Tremlett and Bresnan blew away the Aussies to the tune of 98 all out and by close of play Cook and Strauss had piled on 157-0. Game over. Which makes it all the more strange that a player who never figured at all on that day (even Matt Prior's six catches in that 98 can be forgotten easily it seems) should end up with the MOTM award.
Trott (for it was he) carried on the domination the next day with 168 not out (and again a wicket-keeper's 85, plus the six catches, still doesn't add up enough it seems) and Australia were demolished, humiliated, and generally suffering all they've put England through for a generation. 513 all out made the game last a little longer before Bresnan totalled six wickets for the game (another victory for the selectors who had their best series for a generation too....some correlation here?) in victory by an innings and 157 runs. Ashes retained in Australia. Four little words catalysing an ecstatic shared experience for millions.
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| Wicket-keepers do, however, stand out in rubbish teams. |
The defeat was the worst inflicted on Australia at home in 98 years. Their 8th worst ever. It's hard to bounce back up when the chasm is so deep.
England, of course, are answering lots of critics and lots of questions. The psychology of this crushing victory meant a certain series victory awaited too in Sydney. Everyone knew this. And 1% of every long-suffering England cricket fan's mind had that nagging doubt of 'they can't fuck this one up can they...surely?'
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The England camp
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