How Australia Reaped a Summer of Success

Photo courtesy of cricket.com.au

When you look back over what has been a remarkable summer for the Australian cricket team, how do you judge the success that has come its way, and to what do you put it down to? Is it such a huge result as most believe, or were the signs of revival there most of the time, but only covered by an aberration of two legends retiring and a tour of the subcontinent?

1. The removal of Mickey Arthur as coach and the appointment of Darren Lehmann as his replacement. 

There is little doubt that this has played the major role in Australia rediscovering its mojo. While Ponting and Hussey were still in the mix, and Australia was still winning, the cracks looked to have been papered over. However, the spotlight of a barren tour of India, a long way from home and the two legends now retired, brought all simmering tensions to the surface. The debacle of the "homework" episode brought stark reality home to all Australian cricket watchers that something wasn't right. Whatever the rights and wrongs in the whole matter, which then drip fed into the start of the England tour with Dave Warner's boozy swipe at Joe Root in a late night pub crawl, the swift removal of Arthur from the post of coach to the appointment of Lehmann as his replacement was a brave and ultimately successful decision by Cricket Australia. In fact, given the flack that Cricket Australia often receives, this move has not received enough praise. They took a huge risk, and copped a financial settlement with Arthur in order for it to happen. Everything that has happened since can be linked to that decision.
Lehmann - from our viewing distance - has been a revelation. The team appears more congenial, tougher, harder, better. Individuals are improving their game, and yet still playing as a team, and playing to the state of the game. Lehmann's presence on the balcony or on the ground is both visual and commanding. His forthright and often humorous press conferences leave nothing to the imagination, he answers each question with honesty and impunity. Nine months into his appointment, and everything about Australian cricket has improved. Having revitalised the team with its current employees, perhaps his next biggest challenge will be in replenishing the team as its elder statesmen begin to come to the end of their reign.

2. Injuries elevate the recall of Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson.

This time twelve months ago, two matches out from the Sheffield Shield final, no one - and I mean no one - could have predicted the year that these two bowlers have just completed. Johnson was on tour in India, a tour that saw him play only one Test, for no wickets and a pair with the bat. Harris was about to make his long awaited comeback to the Queensland Shield team, in the hope of being able to bowl some overs without breaking down. The first result was the Johnson was left out of the Ashes touring party, and although Harris was included, he was left out of the 1st Test team. Harris was then instrumental in keeping Australia competitive in that England series, and managed four Tests in a row, before requiring more recuperation before the Brisbane Test in November. Johnson meanwhile performed well in the ODI team, while Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Jackson Bird all broke down on the England tour, leaving the door open for his return again to the Test team. Now - if ANY of those three had been fit in November, it is highly unlikely that Johnson would have played in that 1st Test. Can anyone imagine that Australia would have been as dominant without him? Along with Lehmann's elevation to the coaching role, the fact that so many bowlers fell out of contention due to injury to open up that slight crack for Mitch Johnson to crawl though is the biggest moment of the summer.
Harris and Johnson have been magnificent, a pairing that came together through necessity, and ran rampage throughout the summer. Which leads into the next point...

3. Mitchell Johnson's moustache.

How much do you credit the moustache for the rewards of the summer? It depends on how much you credit superstition in the game of cricket. In the majority, sportsman of all levels find that if they succeed in a game or series or season, they don't like to change anything that may have brought that success. It might be Steve Waugh's lucky red rag, it might be a favourite jockstrap or shirt, or it may be the growing of a moustache for an event called Movember. Johnson shaved the moustache off after the Ashes Test series, and his returns "mo-less" in the one dayers that followed were... less successful. He then grew it back for the South African tour, and has again dominated.
Of course, everything is a mindset. If you are confident in your setup and your action, and you feel as though you can put the ball on a ten cent piece every time, of course you will more than likely have success. But getting that mindset and comfort level is not always easy, and sometimes something as simple as 'believing' that your moustache is your talisman is what gives you that frame of mind. No matter what the naysayers may think, Mitch's moustache had as much to do with Australia's success this season as any other factor.

3. The removal of the "age card" and selection of Chris Rogers.

This was a critical change of selection policy, given the disgraceful handling of Simon Katich at the beginning of Michael Clarke's captaincy reign. The selection of a 'horses for courses' type player, despite his age, was a revelation. Rogers had been the best performed Australian batsman for three seasons in domestic cricket, and had also done the same in English county cricket over a long period. His experience in English conditions was critical, and though he never appeared fluent, he showed grit and determination, something that hadn't always been on show in recent Tests. He showed enough to be retained for the Australia summer, where he fought tooth and nail at every crossroad, knowing that one or two slips would mean the end of his Test career. His 60 in the first innings and then century in the second innings in Melbourne was wonderful cricket. He fought to hold the innings together in the first, and then played his most fluent Test innings in the second. Two further centuries since has now given him another season in the baggy green, and is a just reward for a journeyman who never gave up in his quest to represent his country. He has formed a great partnership at the top of the order with David Warner, which has steadied the problems the team was facing in that position. Which leads into the next point...

4. David Warner starts dating Candice Falzon.

There are other reasons as well, of course, but this has been a revelation. Looking at Dave Warner in June in England, and then again at Newlands for the last week, and you see two different cricketers. The party boy with the party atmosphere and misguided intentions of his entertainer role in the Australian cricket team has gone. He has been replaced by a tough, focused, hungry cricketer, who has barely stopped scoring runs. And he is FIT! He has stripped back to nothing, his strength has built up, and he isn't tiring at all, no matter the length of his innings. The training regime Candice has put Warner on (no doubt in private as well as public) is plain to see, and is working. He scored four centuries in the Ryobi Cup when left home from the ODI team in India in October, and hit the new season in fiery form. He is still probably too much over the top in regards to talk on the field, but you can't fault his performances. His Test average has risen from 37 to 46 in eight Tests this summer. The cricket world lays at his feet, waiting to see if he can claim it.

5. The instinct to pick Steve Smith.

No one except the National Selection Panel believed Smith should have been selected in the squad to tour India last year. He had no real runs on the board, and it looked as though he was going on a Contiki holiday. Then Australia was smashed in the first two Tests, and the "homework" scandal claimed four players for a one Test suspension. Enter Steve Smith, who hit a composed and serene 92 in the first innings of the 3rd Test, and finished with an average of over 40 for his two Tests, which was bettered only by the skipper. Despite the hiccup of then initially leaving him out of the Ashes squad, his reinstatement soon after was deserved, and his maiden Test century in the 5th Test of that tour highlighted his talent.
His summer, while slightly up and down, has cemented him as not only a very talented and improved batsman, but as a wildcard with his leg spin bowling, and very possibly the next in line for the Australian captaincy. Again, no one could possibly have imagined this twelve months ago - and the NSP can take a bow for their foresight in his selection.

6. The captaincy of Michael Clarke.

Not the least the runs he has made, and the manner and timing that he has made them, Clarke's captaincy skills have been almost perfect all summer. His innovative fielding positions, his handling of his bowlers, his ability to make the correct timing with his declarations and his general brilliance has not only enabled Australia to be at their best, it has cast a pall over his opposition captains. Their lack of trust in their own decisions, and lack of energy in either trying to make things happen or to change the course or momentum of the match, made it glaringly obvious of their inadequacies in their own positions. Even the couple of occasions where Clarke fired up to opposing players on the field (whether or not this was a good example) showed his passion for the fight, whereas both Cook and Smith spent most of their respective series at first slip with their arms crossed biting their fingernails.

These are by no means the only reasons for success, but to me epitomise what has been the major reasons for the success of the summer. I could also highlight areas where the future still needs to be addressed to continue this resurgence in our nation's cricket - how much longer can Ryan Harris continue, is Peter Siddle likely to be forced out due to not being an express pace, is Nathan Lyon still our long-term spin option, does Australia's first class cricket season need to be re-thought in order that our young kids get enough four-day cricket to make them the players of the future? - but for the moment, we can be pleased that we have regained the Ashes, we have avenged our defeat by South Africa in Australia from 18 months ago, and the tools are in place to ensure we continue to improve, and perhaps one day return to the pinnacle of world cricket.

The Final Straw for England?

Just had to laugh tonight, as Australia crushed England in the 2nd T20 international, at the tweet from Michael Vaughan, who by now was safely home in England and watching the carnage on TV...

Just bring em home .... FFS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 31, 2014

Qld Holiday Day 7 - The Gap - 5-0 ASHES BABY!!!

Well, it may well be a Queensland holiday, but today it was all about the final decimation of the English cricket team, as Australia wrapped up the 5th Test by a whopping 281 runs, and thus inflicted just the third 5-0 whitewash in the history of Ashes cricket. What an amazing turnaround from les than six months ago, when Australia had been blitzed in the Lords Test match to go 2-0 after just two Tests of that series. However, it was from that moment on that the rebuilding and resurgence started, to the point that this amazing result is the climax.

As with yesterday, the pool and its occupants were constantly calling me, but there was no way I was going to miss this, especially when the moment came when England lost four wickets in the first two overs after the tea break. Brilliant.

During the collapse, an following its conclusion, I had taken on the cooking role for the evening, and had put together beef madras and tandoori chicken for the masses, as well as some chicken fried rice to accompany it for the kids. It was hot in the kitchen, but well worth it in the long run.

Melbourne Boxing Day Test Trip - Day 4

On Mum's birthday - the first of Mum's birthdays that I haven't seen her in living memory - it was time to head to the MCG to see if Australia could finish what they had started yesterday.
While the other three still have another night in Melbourne to celebrate Australia's (probable) victory in the cricket today, I was flying out this evening for Newcastle, to meet up with my long-lost family to begin our Queensland expedition. As a result, I walked up to the bus station this morning to put my luggage in a locker, so that if I had to come straight from the cricket or pub to the bus, my bag would be waiting for me, and I wouldn't have to carry it around all day, which had been my first option. From here I walked down to the Yarra's Southbank to meet up with my fellow tourists for breakfast. 

And yes - our shirts had been laundered after yesterday's play, so we all smelled apple fresh.
Rocket proved to be the target for the day, given his comment to Sam and myself in the taxi home last night (rather, this morning) from the casino. It was an off-the-cuff comment, which basically went "If Australia win the Test tomorrow before tea, I'll get a tattoo". Well done Daniel. Once this was passed on to Jason, both he and Sam expressed their pleasure at being able to watch the pain that would occur later that evening.

We arrived at the M.C.G to find the Australian squad all in a huddle in the nets, discussing the likely outcomes for Day 4. Given that in Sydney you can't see the nets unless you area Member, this was a fascinating insight, and a welcome one to all of the fans gathered around to hear a little bit of what was being said.

Me and Dennis Lillee. And a couple of photo bombers.

Sam was a little worse for wear after last night's shenanigans.

Today's seats were further around to the right of yesterday's, and right on the fence in Row 1. Good job Jase.

Like our first day, the temperature was back to freezing again - only in Melbourne. What warmed us up was the first half hour of cricket. Chris Rogers edged between keeper and 1st slip, with Bairstow not moving an inch towards the ball, while Warner was dropped by Cook not long after. During this the score was ticking over at 5 an over, and the day appeared ours. By lunch Australia was only one wicket down, and requiring only 90-odd to win the match. The Milo cricketers during the lunch break looked more capable of taking wickets than the Poms by this stage.

After lunch Rogers kept punching, and brought up his second Test century. Though he fell soon after, Watson and Clarke held firm, until the final runs were score just after 2pm, and the crowd went wild. And Rocket had to get a tattoo.

We headed back to our room after all of the post-match awards were done. Just before 5pm I took my leave to head up for the bus station. It was disappointing to leave. The four of us had had such a great time together. Not a harsh word was said between us, we all stuck together for the greater majority of the time, and enjoyed each other's company. It was easily the best trip away I have ever been on, and I really hope the four of us can do it again on a regular basis.

I caught the bus to Tullamarine, and the plane left bang on 8pm, and arrived about 10 minutes early in Newcastle. Helen picked me up and drove me to Phil and Leaf's home, where she and the kids had been for a couple of days.
One holiday was over, and the next one was about to begin.

Melbourne Boxing Day Test Trip - Day 3

Ross had departed by the time the rest of us had risen, and it was time to start thinking about how we would attack the day ahead. Time to slip into the Day Two uniform.

We sensibly made the decision to take in breakfast this morning, and so another roundabout route from our fearless leader saw us down a dark alleyway to another of his favourite haunts... only to find they had no power. We backtracked two store frontages instead and partook eggs and bacon with two cups of coffee to get that heart started.
When we arrived at the G, we found the stall where Jason had been the day before, where you could get a photo with the ICC World Cup, the tournament which is taking place in Australia in early 2015. Having convinced the guys there that the four of us could fit (a tight squeeze to be sure) we had the following photo taken to keep forever of our trip.

Back into the stadium, and today we were at Ground Zero, second row off the fence and right in the lions den. Great seats again, Jase.

Kevin Pietersen wasn't willing to converse with us on the boundary.

We had better company today, but perhaps mainly because the cricket turned our way.

In front of us, in row 1 seat 1, was an old bloke we dubbed "Skip". He told us the story of how he had a mate who was unwell and not capable of travelling on his lonesome, but who wanted to travel and see world sporting events. He ended up convincing Skip to go with him on the recent Ashes tour of England on the ASC hosted tour. Then, two days before they left, Skip's mate passed away. Obviously he didn't want to go, but his mate's wife convinced him to go on the tour anyway (missing his mate's funeral in the process). Then, a couple of weeks ago, his mate's wife rang him up, and told him that, before he moved on, his mate had bought himself and Skip tickets to every day of the Melbourne Test, just to show his appreciation for going with him to England. Wow. How do you take that? So here was Skip, at the M.C.G in seats bought by his dead mate, and having a great time. A wonderful story. I think he had a great day with us, joining in our catcalls and comments, and each time he did he was encouraged further by both Jason and Sam.

Next to Skip turned up a couple and their mate. The bloke and his mate were both Poms, and his wife was Australian. Both the blokes were in the England shirts with their Union jack flags at the ready for any chance to cheer their team on. We all mentioned how we thought his wife should be standing up to these two dressed up Poms. An hour later she went off to get some beer, but she did seem to be taking a while (which of course was mentioned by us - "has she gone home?!"). Some time after she returned with the beer - as well as now being completely decked out in the Australian green and gold shirt, Australian cap and waving an Australian flag. She got a great cheer from us. And of course, as the day wore on, and Australia reasserted their dominance, it was she who was loudly enjoying herself, while her husband became quite muted.

One of the Beer Snakes that often had the participants ejected.

By lunch it was a devastating scenario. For a start, the forecast maximum was 39 degrees, and whereas yesterday we had been crying out for the shadow of the stands to be lifted from us so we could warm up, today we were dreading it. When the sun hit us at 11.00am the temperature rose about 15 degrees. Madness. Also, despite Haddin and Lyon adding 40 for the last wicket, England still had a lead of 51 on the first innings, and at lunch they were 0/54 in their second innings, though Carberry had done little to effect that by crawling to 5 not out off 50 balls. Effectively the Poms were 0/105, and I mentioned to Sam that if something didn't happen quickly after lunch it could be a long two days for us.

It took until five over after lunch for the breakthrough to come, with Mitch getting through Cook, who had made pretty much all of England's runs. At 1/65, with England 116 runs in front, it was the beginning of two very satisfying sessions of cricket to be at the ground, watching it all live. Either side of drinks three wickets fell in six balls to bring the crowd to life. Carberry was finally executed for 12 off 81 balls, before Joe Root ran himself out by hitting the ball straight to Mitch at Mid off and he threw down the stumps at the bowlers end. Pietersen took a single before Bell chipped his first ball to Mitch again at mid-off, and he was out for a golden duck. Just beautiful. Does it get any better than seeing Bell get a golden duck?... and with the score on 87...

England lasted until tea with no further damage, which brought The Wave out in force, which comes across pretty well in the video below. There is also a little chat by Jason and Sam to resident deep mid-wicket George Bailey at the end.

After tea it was getting hotter, but not as hot as it was for England. From 5/173 they collapsed in the final session to be all out for 179 in a rollicking exhibition where the crowd really came to life. Broad's dismissal for a third ball duck and Pietersen trying to hit his way to heroism and falling to a great outfield catch by Ryan Harris were the absolute highlights, and they were given a massive send of by the Cavalier boys in the Aussie Army. Fantastic stuff. Australia even raced to 0/31 at stumps, and left the tantalising thought that we would see and Australian Test victory tomorrow.

38 degrees, but still only one of us taking off their shirts

Our mate, Nathan Lyon. It took us 20 minutes to convince him to give this kid an autograph.

The England innings come to it's conclusion with Monty reviewing a plumb LBW.

Welcome to the bowling crease... Stuart Broad... heh heh heh...

60,000+ head back into the city after the third day's play

Jason and Sam were adamant that a return bout with the casino was a must for the evening, so after our usual wind-down ritual of a couple of beers in front of the BBL, that's where we headed. First point of call was the downstairs eateries, where I picked up tandoori chicken and beef vindaloo with rice and naan bread for just $14.00. That's just ridiculous, and though I have enjoyed everywhere and everything we have eaten on this trip, if I wanted to save $150 I could have had this every night.

Then it was upstairs to the tables once again, and to watch the three players in action (no, I did not gamble one cent at the casino on our stay. I was on a strict budget with our upcoming Queensland holiday, and survived the temptation to have a flutter). I watched as Jason continued his dominance of the Caribbean Stud poker table. I laughed as Rocket seemed to pick it up extremely quickly, and then jagged a few hands that increased his wealth immensely. I laughed harder as Sam decided he wanted in on this, and lost as heavily as Rocket was winning. Then the three of them headed back to High Card Draw, and as Sam slowly fell in a hole, and Jason held his own, Rocket had eight straight winning hands - until the new dealer arrived. The dealer changed his winning chips (which had been sitting on the table throughout his winning streak) and immediately the whole table went down in flames.
While Sam and Jason continued to plough on, Dan and I retreated to the Sports Bar, where a kindly barman, when asked for two scotch & cokes, poured us Johnnie Label Black Label, and only charged $5 each. GOLD!! It was a pity we couldn't track him down again, as the next few rounds were back to house scotch, and at $10 each. Oh well, that first one was savoured I can tell you.
Our arrival back at the room corresponded with 2.15am ticking by on the clock, and so it was to bed to prepare for the final day of the cricket.

Two legends morphed into one.

Melbourne Boxing Day Test Trip - Day 2

It was an early morning rise for all, but at least some of us managed five hours sleep, as apart from the two or so that our weary travellers faced.
After a cup of coffee, and some having some cereal (not me - breakfast at the G!) it was time to don the day's uniform and head off for the cricket.

Jason's shirt design for Day 1

The Cavaliers are coming to the M.C.G

Rocket makes the first of a dozen trips to the ATMs of Melbourne

Rowing Clubs along the Yarra

On our way to the G

I hadn't been to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for 15 years or so, back when there was the old stands and the rickety wooden seating. So that first glimpse of the coliseum it has become when I first walked into the stadium was quite amazing. So much for the suburban cricket ground it had been in 1877 when the first ever Test match was played. It now truly is an amazing ground.

We had a little bit of a wander, and even though the seats Jason had procured for us were stunning - second level of the very right hand edge of the Great Southern Stand, up against the railing - Rocket and I managed to find a place that perhaps, should he feel the need, could perhaps gain for us on our next visit?...

Breakfast of Champions. Three pies at the M.C.G

Of course, this is Melbourne, and although the forecast was for a pleasant 22 degrees, well, sitting in the stands in the shadow of the great stadium it was anything but that at 9.30am. In fact, it was bloody freezing! Isn't this supposed to be summer? However, those of us who have been to Melbourne before at least came prepared for this eventuality. Rocket dubbed me "The Experienced Melbourne Traveller" as he sat there in his polo shirt and shorts, while the three burning hot pies helped to warm my insides as well.

The number of people on the field during the preliminaries is quite amazing. Both sides warming up with full support crews involved, all the TV and radio crews and commentators, as well as those providing "entertainment" on the big screen. How more people don't get hit by stray cricket balls and the like is beyond me.

When play did start for the day, with England 6/226, it was with a bang. Ryan Harris' first over was negotiated by Kevin Pietersen, but it was the second over of the day that brought the crowd to life. Mitchell Johnson's first ball was a screamer. All night, you can imagine that Tim Bresnan would have been playing over in his mind how he was going to approach this innings. then he had taken about forty minutes of nets and throwdowns in preparation for his innings. And then, first ball, from out of nowhere, Mitch delivers him a thunderbolt as he lent forward on his front foot, finding a 145kph bouncer coming straight at his head. He barely had time to get his bat and gloves in front of his face before the ball careered into them, popping to George Bailey at short leg. A rip-snorter, an impossible ball to try and handle first up. It was awesome, one of the best balls I've seen at a cricket ground.
Stuart Broad entered to a cacophony of boos that echoed all around the ground. His leg bye first ball brought Pietersen back on strike, and he obviously didn't want to have anything to do with the bullets Mitch was sending down. First ball he backed away, and tried to pull him over mid-wicket only to miss. The crowd began to give him some, insinuating he didn't want to be out there. Next ball went down leg, but the next was a perfectly pitched ball that swung back into the stumps. KP inexplicably almost charged, and tried to swing it over mid-wicket again, this time losing the top of middle stump in the process, at real pace. The crowd erupted. It was magnificent theatre, and a brilliant way to start the day.

Once England was dismissed, we were hoping for a Dave Warner Show, but unfortunately this was not to come. In fact, it turned out to be England's day, as apart from Chris Rogers gritty 61 the Australians collapsed to be 9/169 at stumps, almost 100 behind England's first innings. The afternoon's entertainment came more from the crowd below us in the Aussie Army section (where we would be seated for the next two day's play). Plenty of drinking and chanting going on, with firstly gentlemen encouraged by the crowd to "SKOLL! SKOLL! SKOLL!", and greeted by cheers when it was done, and jeers when it was not. Before long however, this was not enough, and they were now encouraged to "DO THE TRAY! DO THE TRAY!", meaning downing four drinks one after the other. This inevitably led to the participant being escorted from the venue. Soon enough, the crowd began to get rowdier as the cricket began to tail off, and even closing down the bars for the last session didn't stop it. A few fights broke out, and the constructors of plastic up snakes also found their way to an early shower. By the end of play, we estimated that a hundred people had to have been ejected. Guess it is fortunate in this way that they only serve mid-strength alcohol. this probably also saved the three Poms who were sitting next to us all day, as their vigor grew with each passing wicket from Australia. That's all fine, but when they started shouting out about Australians not being walkers (when it was simply Ryan Harris being asked to wait by the umpires to see if it was a no ball), or Australians using reviews when they KNEW they were out (when George Bailey was sure he hadn't hit it, and Hot Spot showed no edge, and Snicko the tiniest noise that quite honestly could have been anything), or just general carry-on for the last hour... well... let's just say that I kept my mouth firmly shut (most of the time), but if we hadn't been drinking mid-strength beer there could have been at least a couple of Poms flying over the second tier of the stand.

We walked back to our room with the masses of over 78,000 people, to find our air conditioning on five degrees. Now - this situation could have been easily fixed by resetting the air conditioning unit. However, we instead proceeded to spend the next hour in a frigid atmosphere (from my point of view, it was refreshing). However, some of our elder statesmen (well, one) decided that it was just a little too cold to bear.

Having taken in an hour of the evening's BBL match, we finally got ourselves together and headed out for dinner. Jason was adamant that we had to go to a restaurant up on Lygon Street, which was a hefty walk away. Of course, this didn't account for the fact that, once again, our fearless leader managed to get us lost, and the trip took twice as long as it probably had to. I thought it was pretty funny. Daniel was "literally dying of hunger", Ross found he was desperate to take a leak, and eventually headed off into a road construction hut on the side of the road to complete his business, and Sam was just over the walking aspect. Might have taken us an hour, but it was pretty amusing from my side.

We finally fell into the place that Jason just HAD to get us to. Inside... well, to probably everyone's disbelief, we ran into the Timbs' and Thistlethwaite clans, just finishing up their own dinner. Who would have thought - travel a thousand kilometres, and from a couple of thousand restaurants in Melbourne we just happen to choose the same place. Funny.
The walk was worth it. We got cheap specials, and I had the black angus rump again (this time a 400g instead of 300g) which was spectacular. Dan followed me, but also partook in the risotto for starter. Despite his "literally dying of hunger" monotone on the way, he was unable to get more than halfway through his main after this.

 

While Rocket and Sam chose a taxi to return to the room, the elder statesmen decided to stroll back, one that took a considerably shorter space of time that the walk on the way up. By the time we arrived it was closing in on midnight, and everyone decided to turn in, as Ross was leaving our troop early for his plane trip home. Still, I found Tin Cup playing on the TV, and couldn't resist watching it again, and thus sacrificed the extra hour's sleep I may have gotten in the process.

Melbourne Boxing Day Test Trip - Day 1

Since this was first brought up - and then booked - back in August, this has been a day I had been looking forward to. It was a bucket list moment, something I had wanted to do for as long as I can remember - attend a Boxing Day Test at Melbourne against England. Having been conceived by Sam Wolf and Daniel Reilly, and then orchestrated by Jason Wills, Helen had convinced me that I should go, and the day had arrived. Also coming along was Ross Wolf, for the first day's cricket, before leaving The Wolfpack to fend for themselves.

Jason's bus picked me up from my front door, courtesy of Geoff Wills, whose displeasure at not coming on the trip itself was plainly evident. Love it Geoff, maybe next time your son will think of you! Jason had provided beers for the trip up, which felt like a perfectly normal thing to do at 7.00am. Unusually there was no great scramble to get off at Engadine Pub for a pit stop. Probably a good thing given that it was too early for opening.

I have no memory of what I was trying to explain to Sam here

Having checked in at Sydney airport we had another couple of beers while watching the preamble to the Test on TV before boarding the plane for Melbourne at 10.30am, just as the first ball was sent down at Melbourne. Clarkey winning the toss and sending England in?! Amazing.
We arrived safely at Tullamarine (with our Facebook followers having had an hour's peace while our phone's were turned off in-flight), and caught the Skybus into the centre of Melbourne.
One of the quirks of our accommodation, at Plum Apartments in Collins Street, was that their admin centre was a couple of kilometres away from the actual place we stayed at. By unanimous vote (yep, even he agreed to it) Jason was carried on to the admin centre by our mini-bus transfer, while we sat inside the lobby waiting for the keys to arrive.

Arrival at Tullamarine

After about an hour of waiting the room was made available to us. Big enough for all of us, and centrally located, Jason was to be commended for his efforts.

The room. Cricket about to return after drinks.

We spent the second session of the cricket watching in our room, having some lunch and a few room-christening beers. Then it was time to put on the togs, and we headed down to the Transport Bar on the banks of the Yarra for more beer and watching of the cricket.

"The Wolfpack" - with two Wolfs.

It was a warm day, and the cricket had been somewhat slow by the English, and for the couple of hours we were on premises, there was a steady stream of spectators that had been at the M.C.G but had left early, citing the slow play and the huge queues as their reasoning. Fair enough, as the crowd eventually broke the record for the biggest one day crowd to attend a Test match. The last session seemed more exciting, as Australia snared late wickets, although the steady influx of alcohol and the sighting of rugby league pin-up boy Brad Fittler probably helped.

Beers at the Transport Bar

Once play had concluded at 6.00pm, we walked down to Crown casino, where Jason insisted there was an Italian place to die for to eat at. The fact that it took an hour to find our way through the crowds and Jason's direction to make this place should surely be left aside at this point.

"I'm high on the hill. Looking over the bridge. To the M.C.G"

To Jason's credit, the food was great. The black angus rump I had that was one of the specials of the day was great, apart from the lack of sides. Still, I rarely complain too loudly about things like that.

From here it was into the gambling areas themselves, and there was a parting of the ways from this point. Sam and Jason were quickly taken in by the high card table. What a fantastic way to lose a lot of money very quickly. Such simple rules. You get a card, the dealer gets a card. Highest card wins. Table minimum bet $15. Just terrific. I thought two-up was the easiest way to lose money, but I have been proven wrong. Jason soon disappeared, and while Ross stayed with Sam, Rocket and I headed for the Sports Bar, not only for another drink, but to check out how Will Sheridan was faring in the Renegades BBL clash with the Scorchers. Answer - he did OK, Renegades got done.

Tables were at a premium, but we eventually waited long enough to get one. Sam and Ross returned, with Sam having made a windfall and started buying drinks. Then Jason returned, having found the Caribbean Stud table and also won a sizable portion of the stakes, and began buying more drinks. Yes, more than any of us needed.

We walked back to our room, though it did appear that we got hopelessly lost along the way - although that could perhaps just have been the alcohol confusing me about that. It did seem that the walk back was a lot longer that the walk there, and it had been a long walk. Two of our party thought it was a little bit early to call an end to the night, and they broke away within sight of Collins Street. Those of us not so inclined headed in, and by 1.30am I was discovering how comfortable my bed was.

Fixing Brittle Batting Key to Ashes Winner

Australia and England will head for Perth with the home team taking an unlikely and unimaginable 2-0 lead into the 3rd Test. For all the frivolity and excited fist pumping that has taken place over the first two Tests of the Australian summer, one has to ask "how far has England fallen in just three months?" as well as "can Australia maintain the rage on and off the field?"
The bare statistics tell the story of a pummeling over the course of those two Tests, one that under normal circumstances you would have to think would be impossible to recover from. But it wasn't that long ago that Australia was blitzed 4-0 in India, and then 3-0 in England, though perhaps that series deficit was not as wide as it appears. And the same could be said here, because 2-0 could just as easily have been 1-1 or at least 1-0, if just a few things had gone in a different direction. Believe me, no one is happier with the current scenario than myself, but to suggest the series, and the Ashes, is already over would be a grave error in misjudgement.

England's grip on the 2nd Test could have key moments in many areas, but none moreso than the three lives Brad Haddin received in scoring his magnificent 118 in the first innings. Any could be held as the point where England lost their grip - Monty Panesar dropping a tough caught and bowled, the sitter Michael Carberry put down in the 89th over of the first day at gully, or Ben Stokes ditching his first Test wicket by being called for a belated no-ball. Any of these would have halted Australia's momentum, and restricted their first innings tally. Instead, Australia went on to 9/570 declared, and from that point was certainly not going to lose the match.
Given over three days to bat to save the Test, the English batting was again ripped apart by a rampaging Mitch Johnson. In nine overs England lost 6/24, falling from 3/111 to 9/135. From that point on, only the weather could save them and it refused to be drawn into the equation.
So is the series over? Australians would love the answer to be yes, the English would love the answer to be no. Both sides have good cause to feel they are correct. Perhaps the single most important point at this stage is that England only need to draw the series to retain the urn, while Australia must win the series. Any slip from Australia would let England right back into the series. Any further mishaps from England will mean the Ashes will be lost before Boxing Day.

The same problems beset both batting line-ups still, though Australia has been saved by her brilliant captain and vice-captain, and the dream run of form from opener Dave Warner. Michael Clarke has been superb, for a long time now stretching back three years. He averages 64 as captain, an amazing statistic. His form and performance over the past two years is the equal of any of Australia's recent past champion batsmen, including Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, David Boon, Allan Border and Greg Chappell. While overall he may not be quite in the same class as these gentlemen, he is fast approaching parity. Like these five recent legends, Clarke has had to carry this team on his own shoulders at times, and he has done so with aplomb and with style. Nor has it affected his captaincy, which continues to be fresh, thoughtful and at times outside of the box. Brad Haddin, as well as being excellent with the gloves and in helping his captain on the field, continues to do his job at number seven. It is an amazing fact of his Test batting career that in a majority of cases when Australia is in trouble he scores runs, and if they are a mile in front of the game, he is happy to sacrifice his wicket in the best interests of the team. His glove work has restored the faith of his bowlers when in the field, and he is a natural leader. Dave Warner has re-emerged from the dark twelve months that beset his career in 2013, and built his form through the domestic one day competition to the point that he is again in control of his own destiny. He threw his wicket away in the first innings when a huge score beckoned, but he showed in the second innings he still had the ability to come back and start again. Perhaps he is finally at the point of his career where he can harness his obvious talent and make the most of it - though the lack of any movement of the ball through the air or off the seam so far in this series has obviously benefitted him greatly.
Australia still has its batting woes though. Chris Rogers is still just a fill-in, holding his spot until someone younger comes along and nudges him aside. Phil Hughes' form in the Sheffield Shield would be his greatest concern at the moment, and despite an good 72 in the first innings here he will know he can't afford many more failures like the second innings. Shane Watson just doesn't seem to have it in him to fight for his wicket. A complete lack of options at number three and his sporadic bowling stints seem to have him ensconced for the time being, but if there is anyone in Australia apart from himself and the selectors who think he deserves his Test spot then I don't know of them. Steve Smith ended the English summer looking to have sewn up number five, but his form is still worrying. George Bailey looked better in Adelaide than he did in Brisbane, but he still doesn't look like a long term prospect.
In essence, Australia's batting is still not a lock to make the scores of 350-450 that it needs to keep itself in games on a consistent basis. Many are questioning England's ability to score runs on the bouncy W.A.C.A pitch - if England's bowlers click in Perth then it would not surprise to see Australia's batting crack at the seams.

England's batting has been unsure, inept and undeniably passive. Their failure to combat Australia's aggressive bowling tactics is truly deplorable. The wickets in England were designed to nullify Australia's pace attack, and did their job superbly. However, did they expect Australia would serve up the same pudding wickets? If the English coaches and management did not prepare for fast, bouncy wickets - which it appears they did not - then they should all be sacked immediately for gross incompetence. None of the batting line-up looks to have been prepared for the searing onslaught of pace and bounce that has been thrown at them, and for a team that claims it is one of the best two teams in Test cricket it is a massive hole in their lead-up to this series. The loss of Trott is a major one for the team to combat, but given his gun-shy approach in Brisbane it doesn't appear as though he would have had any answers either.
Alastair Cook is spiralling down the same well as his predecessor as captain, one that saw him forced to retire before his time due to poor form and insipid results. His peerless work to defeat India at home twelve months ago, as well as contributing heavily with the bat, is now being eroded as first his form, and then his team's form, is dwindling. He struggled against Australia at home, and is facing the same crisis here. His captaincy appears less forthright. It's a tough school. He made a thousand runs here in 2010/11 when it never appeared likely he would get out. he needs to find that same mindset again quickly if he is to turn around his tour by leading from the front. Andrew Strauss would tell him that is a very difficult thing to do from the position he currently finds himself in.
Kevin Pietersen is a front-runner. He loves being in a position where he can turn a game, not save one. So far this series he has been offered the chance to bat to save a Test for England, and he has shown he is not up for that fight. Ask him to win a game from nothing, and he is a better than even chance to do it. Ask him to save a game by batting for a day or more, and he doesn't appear able to mentally do this. Perhaps his chance to win a Test will come in Perth, by playing an extraordinary innings that everyone will say "only KP could do that!" This could happen, but if he is again faced with a situation where he needs to survive to save his team, then you would bet big money against him being able to do it.
Joe Root has showed good spirit and fight, and a desire to dig in for the situation he is in. His aberration in the first innings against Lyon was somewhat offset by his second innings 87, although he received a lot of short of a length deliveries in that innings. Surely come Perth the Australian bowlers will refocus on where his strengths and weaknesses are. From afar, it would appear that a length that tries to tease him forward rather than allowing him to sit on his back foot is the preferable option in trying to gain his wicket. Ian Bell has again been solid and not afraid to take on certain bowlers to get on top. His dismissal to Steve Smith on day four was a fillip that boosted Australia onto victory. He is the one English batsman who appears to be in control at the crease. Michael Carberry still has some questions to answer, while all rounder Ben Stokes is an unknown quantity. Whether Matt Prior's pugilist 69 yesterday can revitalise his batting form and career) may be the most interesting part of the Perth Test.

Australia will likely go in with the same bowling attack, though there is a chance Nathan Lyon will sit out for another pace bowler. Despite the hierarchy praising Lyon's contribution, he has been largely ineffective, and certainly has gotten away with too much short bowling that has been of no danger to the batsmen. He just isn't asking enough questions of batsmen on days four and five of Test matches. He doesn't have to take big five wicket hauls like the guy Australia had for 15 years, but he does need to be an influence and be taking more than 1/68 off 26 overs. I still think seeing Fawad Ahmed walk out on the M.C.G on Boxing Day would be a great thing for Australian cricket, and an attacking option. In Perth it would not surprise to see a horses-for-courses selection in Nathan Coulter-Nile making his Test debut.
England will no doubt bring in Tim Bresnan for one of their spinners, while they may even go in with four pace men themselves, and unleash one of their seven foot tall attack. The form of Tremlett, Finn and Rankin has been average, but given a fast and bouncy surface in Perth may be the best thing that could happen to them. At 2-0 down, it is probably worth a shot.

The series isn't over, and Australia will know that over-confidence such that England probably had going into the 1st Test could bring it all undone for them. England will look to the fact that they have won the last three Ashes series, and convince themselves that they can still make this a close series. History is now against them - they have won only one Test in Perth over 42 years, and only Bradman's 1936/37 team has come back from 2-0 down to win a series. However, they do only need to draw the series to retain the Ashes. Whether that is still possible this time next week is a question that almost everyone is asking themselves.

Emotions Flow Over as Aussies Take 1-0 Lead

In a conclusion that few could possibly have predicted, Australia grabbed a 1-0 lead in the Ashes series after a thumping 381 run victory in the 1st Test, amid fierce and ugly scenes as passion and invective flowed over in the dying stages of the match, something that will no doubt inflame the remainder of the summer.

It was a day that ebbed and flowed for both sides, with England needing to bat for two days with eight wickets in hand and hope for some help from the Brisbane weather if they were to stave off defeat. Australia on the other hand had to show patience, and believe in themselves and the fact that the victory target for England was impossible, as was the chance of batting 180 overs for a draw. No doubt a few results in recent history may have been playing on their minds, such as Perth in 2008 against South Africa or even Adelaide 12 months ago against the same opponents. But this was a different scenario, and a different team. This time they had pure motivation.

England started their job well on a wicket that was offering very little for the bowlers. Three years ago the pitch had flattened into a road on days four and five as England piled on 1/517. Though the wicket here was not deteriorating, it was certainly not going to be as good as that wicket had been. Cook and Pietersen started confidently, both in survival mode. The first hour passed with few demons, and it was perhaps only the drinks break that did for Pietersen, who soon after slapped Johnson straight to fine leg. It was a lack of concentration and perhaps a tad lazy, but his wicket at this point revitalised the crowd and the Australians.
Ian Bell came to the crease, and he and Cook saw the team to lunch, and beyond. The bowling was tight and giving little away, and both batsmen were in the zone to preserve their wickets to the best of their ability. It was riveting Test cricket, the bowlers trying to prise an opening, the batsmen refusing to allow it. Both teams knew that one further wicket opened the lower order up, to batsmen who were less capable of performing the role the team needed. And so it was, until three overs before drinks in the second session, when Siddle sent down a pearler to Bell that jumped off a good length and moved away a fraction off the pitch, which he could only edge to Haddin. It had taken three hours to prise out those two top order wickets, but Australia had the opening they had been striving for.

It was rain England now looked, for, and it arrived just three overs, and when it came it looked as though the rest of the day could be lost. But the sun came out, and the ground staff worked a minor miracle, so that only 90 minutes later, having also taken the tea break, the players returned to the field, much to England's chagrin. And the break destroyed them again, ending their hopes in a five over spell when they lost four wickets for nine runs. Just six balls after resumption, Cook fell to a shot that was as much part of the break in concentration than the delivery. Attempting to cut a Lyon short delivery so soon after the break brought about his downfall - a dismissal that must have cut him deeply - and the final resistance had been removed. Prior was again undone by Lyon around the corner. Then Broad and Swann were both found out by the aggression, pace and bounce of a resurgent Mitchell Johnson, who left no doubt about his intentions by continuing to bowl short and fast from around the wicket. When a second storm hit, England was all but finished at 8/160.
Another 40 minutes passed, but players again returned to the field, and with emotions running high it was a volatile conclusion to the match. Tremlett has done well to hold back the barrage of fast short pitched bowling he had received, but was finally undone by Ryan Harris who produced a pop up catch for short leg George Bailey to end his innings. The arrival of Jimmy Anderson to the crease brought everything to head. No doubt he received a lot of advice from many of the Australians at this time. Shane Watson and Dave Warner are not adverse to this. there also seemed to be a very colourful exchange between Anderson and a smiling George Bailey under the helmet. Then Michael Clarke got involved - twice, very publicly and obviously. It was amazing stuff - somewhat ugly to watch and one wonders whether it was all necessary. There is little doubt Anderson loves to dish it out when he is bowling, and over the course of the last three series he has been the winner on all occasions. No doubt in England he was very happy to remind the Australians of the scoreboard. However, it appears from this distance that as much as he likes to dish it out, he is quite reticent about getting it back, and it really appears that he carried on a little bit too much yesterday afternoon. That is not to say that Watson and Warner have been any less like this in the past. Watson was very obviously given a verbal send off in both innings in Brisbane by the English, and Warner copped plenty of flack in England for deeds that he brought on himself. I'm not sure either had much right to go over the top given their background. It is also obvious that Anderson and Clarke do not like each other, and theirs has been a long-running stoush. Anderson gave Clarke plenty when bowling to him in Australia's second innings. One can only assume that Clarke was pointing out to him at centre wicket yesterday that if he is going to give it, he should learn to take it in return. Whatever the rights and wrongs of it all, from a supporter's point of view, I think it looked ugly, and was so unnecessary given the fact that, against all the odds, Australia was about to win the first Test. Few people in the exchanges will have any excuses should the roles reverse in the coming weeks.

Mitchell Johnson must be ecstatic, taking five wickets in the second innings, and nine for the match, as well as scoring 60 and 39 not out. He bowled aggressively and with great pace, something he should have done a lot more of in the past. Perhaps it is his final realisation, and he can finish off his career now in a style more worthy of some of his bowling in the past. And he should keep his moustache, it just adds to his aggressive appearance. His two partnerships with Brad Haddin, the innings-saver in the first innings, and the one that put England out of the match in the second, were both fantastic.
Haddin himself was magnificent. His 94 in the first innings was arguably his most vital and magnificent in his Test career. He then added 53 in the second when quick runs were needed. He took five catches behind the stumps, was energetic, and had a calming influence upon the team the whole way through the Test match.

Australia now lead 1-0, but the series has only just begun. The next four Tests come in a five week period, meaning no crocks can be afforded. Despite the size of the victory by Australia, both sides still have their positives and negatives. Clarke and Warner can be happy, but the other four top order bats for Australia still need to find runs if they are to contribute to the series. The Australians may believe they have found the weaknesses in England's batting, but weaknesses can be overturned with determination - Clarke's 'perceived' problem with the short ball is testament to this. Ten days is a long time in Test cricket, and when the teams reappear at Adelaide Oval, everything starts from square one again. In regards to the Ashes, England only have to draw this series to retain the urn, and Australia must win. It's great to have a 1-0 lead, but Adelaide will have its own story to tell in regards to this series' final outcome.