This summer's Ashes series has seen the pendulum swing massively. Gone are the days of Australian dominance, aided by the likes of McGrath, Warne and Ponting, and emphatically so. The complexion of the current Ashes landscape sees the English, for arguably the first time in decades, in the drivers seat. There are some that will argue that this was confirmed by the historic English victory in the 2009/2010 Ashes victory down under, but for me, I consider this to be the clincher. An individual series can be a flash in the pan, but to consolidate without losing a Test in the next series is highly impressive, and indicative of a shift in power. Of course, winning a series comfortably is a lot easier on home soil than it is away, and therefore any claims of an English Ashes dynasty will have to wait until after this winter. Should England win the next series in three months' time, I would expect the urn to be residing at Lord's for quite some time. This post will review this summer's Ashes series, giving my personal high points and lows, before asking whether the momentum has swung full circle, and it is England that now have the dominance that the Australians enjoyed throughout the 1990's and early 2000's.
High Points:
1) Ian Bell's Breakthrough Series?
Ian Bell has been a regular in the England side for some time now, so perhaps the sub-heading is a little misleading. I am not suggesting that he really needed to prove himself, being under pressure for his place. Nevertheless, it could certainly be argued that Bell has produced his best cricket, and more importantly, his most consistent performances of his career. The Warwickshire man had never really starred in Ashes series, with 2005 being a particularly poor showing, but he has completely redeemed himself this time around. At times keeping England in the Tests, his 3 centuries had the Australian bowlers quaking when he strode to the crease. Beginning with his vital century at Trent Bridge, which gave England the lead that enabled them to take the opening Test, he continued that form into the Lord's Test. At the home of cricket, a 109 gave Bell his second consecutive ton, helping England to a seemingly unassailable 2-0 lead. Finally, arguably his most pivotal contribution occurred in the 4th Test at Durham. With England in real trouble at 49-3, Bell stepped in to produce a magnificent 113 not out, and once again set England on the path to victory. All of the English victories owe something to the middle-order batsman, and proved why he is one of the best with the willow worldwide.
2) The Nerves and the Drama
The first and final Tests are the ones that I am referring to here. Trent Bridge was reminiscent of that classic Test at Edgebaston in 2005, and ended with the same result: an English win. A quite incredible Test, which had the most enthralling final day. With England looking nailed on for victory, needing just 4 wickets to take the opening Test, Australia fought back, getting to within 15 runs of their 310 target. A controversial decision ended the game, with Australian wicketkeeper Haddin being dismissed after a DRS review indicated a small mark on the bat. The final Test at the Oval was equally as dramatic, but for different reasons. Instead of allowing the game to peter out into a boring draw, Aussie captain Clarke rolled the dice and tried to win it. Instead, they very nearly lost it, with another controversial decision this time costing the English the win.
3) So Near and Yet So Far For Agar
Arguably my favourite moment could also go in one of the worst moments. At the beginning of the Trent Bridge test, the name Ashton Agar meant nothing to the world of cricket, with the 'mystery spinner' being handed his Australian Test debut. By the end of it, he was a household name (for the next week at least!) in cricket homes up and down the country. After Australia followed England's example, collapsing to just 117-9, the 19-year-old stepped onto the park knowing his country needed him. Another 3 hours later, the number 11 was still there, having broken record after record in the meantime. Some of his records now include: highest score by a debutant number 11, first ever half century by a debutant number 11, world record 11th wicket partnership, highest ever score by a number 11. Unfortunately, it could not have a fairy-tale ending, as he fell for 97. Despite being an England fan, I have to admit I was willing the young man on to his century. However, having seen the narrow margin of victory three days later, I am not so certain I would have been as sporting had I known! Nevertheless, his 97 put Australia into the lead after the first innings, and put them back into contention.
4) The Best Batsman In The World?
Challenging the likes of Ian Bell for the title of 'World's Best Batsman' is Michael Clarke. To make a comparison, the Australian captain is arguably the Robin van Persie of cricket, with the middle-order batsman seemingly carrying his side, having scored an alarming percentage of the visitors runs. Most notably was an exceptional century in the 3rd Test at Old Trafford, where the captain scored a classy knock of 187 to put his side in a dominant position. Had it not been for the downpour, the Australians would almost certainly have registered, and that century could have been the moment that swung the momentum to the Aussies. The most consistent performer of the Australians, the captain is exceptional with the bat and in the field. If anything, the only aspect he lacks is the ability to judge the technology, something that frequently haunted the Australians. If he can learn from Cook in that regard, he will be a phenomenal captain for the Aussies down under.
5) The Marmite Man (1): Chester-le-Street
The 'love him or hate him' man of this series has undoubtedly been Stuart Broad. The seamer has been in the news for both positive and negative reasons, but we will start on his high moment. Day 4 of the 4th Test was the hero moment for Broad, who almost single-handedly destroyed the Australian batting, and claimed the Ashes victory for the English. Finishing with bowling figures of 6-50 in the second innings, and 11 wickets in the match, his was the outstanding contribution in Durham, ensuring that the English did not just retain the urn, but actually won the series as well. However, unfortunately for Broad, it was not all light moments...
Low Points:
1) 'Punchgate' and David Warner
Even before the Test series began, controversy surrounded the Ashes. With the news that after a night out, Australian opener David Warner had launched into an 'unprovoked attack' on English opener Joe Root, which was later confirmed as a punch on the English man. This saw Warner dropped for the opening two Tests, returning for the Old Trafford contest. Cue boos from all areas of the ground when the Australian entered the pitch or touched the ball, but what did he expect? In fairness to him, the opener did not allow it to distract him from his job, often bringing a rye smile to his lips. Eventually, the Aussie fought back to record two half centuries in the series, but Joe Root's dismissal of him brought smiles to the faces of all Englishmen concerned.
2) The Marmite Man (2): Trent Bridge
I said Stuart Broad's performance wasn't entirely flawless... In the very first Test, Broad got involved in a moment of controversy that would continue burning until the very end of the season, and I suspect will see the seamer treated like David Warner when England visit Australia for the return series this winter. On the 3rd day at Trent Bridge, and with England on 297-6, Broad clearly edged an Agar delivery. However, having ballooned off the pads of Brad Haddin and into the grateful hands of Michael Clarke, the umpires refused the requests, much to the disbelief of the Australian captain. Given how obvious the edge was, it is amazing that the umpires missed it, but even more amazing and disturbing was Stuart Broad's refusal to walk. This threw questions of gamesmanship, with the phrase 'it's not cricket' being thrown around, which were even more so when Broad admitted he knew he had hit it. Even more so, it escalated into Australian coach Darren Lehmann accusing Broad of cheating, and asking the Australian people to 'make him cry' in the return series. Though the Aussie has apologized for those comments, the issue will remain in the minds of the Australian people, and I expect the Englishman to recieve a particularly hostile reception.
3) I Thought We Got Rid Of Human Error?
Unfortunately, for all the good cricket that has been played this summer, there are countless examples of DRS and umpiring controversies. Beginning with the Broad-walking issue, and finishing with the 'Bad Light' fiasco at Lord's, this series has rarely been without incident and controversy. Though no-one would ever accuse them of corruption or cheating, the vast majority of the controversial decisions have gone in the favour of England. So bad were a couple of the decisions, the Australian Prime Minister got involved on Twitter. After Usman Khawaja was dismissed after a review in the Old Trafford Test, despite the video clearly showing no contact between bat and ball, the Aussie PM took to Twitter to announce his displeasure, with the comment 'one of the worst umpiring decisions I have ever seen'. Technology has been blamed for the inconsistencies and errors, but for me, it is the lump of flesh working the technology that has seemed to have crashed on all too many occasions.
4) Kevin Pietersen and the Silicone Tape of Deceit
Until the events of the final night, I would have said that this was the most ridiculous controversy of the entire series. In the lead up to the 4th Test at Chester-le-Street, reports circulated that an Australian paper had accused English batsman Kevin Pietersen of cheating. Rather than the Broad 'non-walking' element of cheating, which the Aussies had a case for, they chose an altogether more non-sensical tack. They made the assertion that the South African-born batsman had been using silicone tape to prevent the thermal imaging part of the DRS system, Hotspot, to detect nicks through to the wicketkeeper. This would make complete sense as an argument if caught behind was the only way of getting out. The Australians clearly did not think about lbw claims. If, as they suggested, the batsman had been using tape to prevent any evidence of the ball on Hotspot, it would actually work against him on lbw claims. Both sides confirmed this as ridiculous, and nothing came of it since.
5) The Ridiculous Celebrations
The story that broke relatively recently arguably tops the lot in terms of controversy. A story that would be more appropriate in Mario Balotelli's house or among the stories of dwarf throwing in the England Rugby Union World Cup camp, reports emerged that the English players had been seen urinating on the Oval turf after the finish of the final Test. This was practically confirmed when, just this morning, the England players came out and apologized for what they called 'inappropriate behaviour'. Why anyone would consider this to be an ordinary thing to do is beyond me, and it simply put a downer on the end of what had been a tremendous summer for the English boys. They will have to redeem themselves when they travel to Australia, and behave in an impeccable manner. However, as we have seen, that appears to be easier said than done...
Has It Swung All The Way?
Such has been the dominance of the English team at times this series, that the question now has to be raised about whether the balance of power has shifted the full 180 degrees from the 90's. Personally, I think that we saw enough from the Australians in the latter parts of the series to suggest that they will fight back this winter. However, should the English dominate that series down under, we could be on for a good few years of English success, which may see the Aussies put into the wilderness in terms of the Test game, at least for the time being.
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