Ashes 2017/18 - Melbourne Day 4 and 5 - Drop In For A Draw

Ashes 2017-18
Australian Whitewash Chance Gone

After a little excitement for the tourists at finally putting couple of good days together, the 4th Test at the MCG ended in a rather tame draw. It could be argued that rain on day 4 put paid to England's chances, it could be argued that the placid drop-in pitch left the final day as nothing more than a damp squib. Either way, the match wasn't without it's special moments that will be talked about for a while; David Warner dismissed off a no-ball on 99 by debutant Tom Curran and using his reprieve to bring up his century next ball; Alastair Cook carrying his bat to make 244 not out, his second double century in Australia; Steve Smith with 76 in the first innings and a match-saving century in the second. It won't go down as a classic, but there was plenty to talk about.

Boxing Day at the MCG for an Ashes
Test is a great experience. Roll on 2021!

Alastair Cook's return to form is long overdue, 244 not out overnight and looking to pass 250 and get up towards a career best (currently 294 v India in 2011) he would have needed James Anderson to stick around to support. That hypothesis was over with the first delivery of the penultimate day, Anderson fending an inevitable short ball into the waiting hands of Cameron Bancroft at short leg. Australia trailed by 164 runs and even the coach Darren Lehmann conceded the only results possible in the time available were a draw or an England win. On a turgid MCG pitch which offered little in the way of sideways movement for the bowlers coupled with England's inability to be ruthless this series, the sensible money was on a draw.

Once again, Cameron Bancroft and David Warner had to dig in. Although not the prolific partnership of a Hayden and Langer, or Warner and Rogers, this opening pair are not easy to remove. Bancroft a little more fluent than in the first innings hung around for another 50-plus opening partnership when he fell victim to yet another inside edge onto the stumps for the umpteenth time in this game. Usman Khawaja looks to be the only batsman whose place in the Australian side is under real threat, another failure (11) of an innings as Anderson found the edge. The leadership group of Smith and Warner took Australia to 103-2 when rain came before the tea break and set in for the day. Losing more than 40 overs worth of playing time did nothing for the visitor's victory push.

David Warner: Perished trying to dominate Joe Root

On the final day, again only two wickets fell. David Warner perished to his ego as just like in Birmingham's Walkabout bar in 2013, he got caught out trying to smash Joe Root. On this occasion, on the field, he skied a ball to James Vince at Cover. The only other wicket to fall was Shaun Marsh for just 4, caught behind off Stuart Broad. From this point onwards the only story was Steve Smith and whether he could reach another Test hundred which he did so without alarm, and when the Captains shook hands Australia led by 99 with 6 wickets in hand. Technically, Smith declared the innings closed in order to bring forward the end of the match.

So England have avoided another humiliating 5-0 whitewash, and have some encouragement going into the Sydney Test beginning on Thursday. Alastair Cook deservedly took Man Of The Match plaudits and has to follow that up in Sydney to be considered truly back in form. England's concern is Moeen Ali, woefully out of form with bat and ball and seemingly needing to be put out of his misery to go back to county cricket and find form before England's summer. Mason Crane is the next in line, and has played in Sydney Grade Cricket for Gordon as well as last year appearing for New South Wales, a rarity for an English player. Ali is a confidence player, and continuing to play him when his confidence is this low can only be counter-productive. His innings on Day 2 was described as someone batting with a "muddled mind", and with 3 wickets in the four matches his form alone requires him to have a little break.

The other conundrum for England is Tom Curran. He didn't do badly at Melbourne on a pitch I've already stated wasn't helpful to him, however Craig Overton's rib ought to be better in time for the SCG and he did more than enough in Adelaide and Perth to suggest he deserves his spot back. It may even be worth dropping Chris Woakes in favour of Overton and retaining Curran, but historically the SCG is spinner friendly. Australia have added Ashton Agar to their squad, and should Mitchell Starc's heel not recover in time then Agar could conceivably come in for the wicketless Jackson Bird, retaining Mitchell Marsh as the third seamer. The more likely outcome for England is that Moeen retains his place as a second spinner with Crane to come in as the main spinner.

Just one game to go in the series then, England desperate to get on the scoresheet and Australia desperate to not let them. The gulf in class still exists but Cook has shown England have their own class, and Joe Root is overdue an Ashes hundred in Australia. England need to sign off in style, but my prediction is an Australian win. Most of this Australian side play for NSW and are more than familiar with how the SCG plays. Whether it's Starc, Agar or Bird that plays in the last test I just feel that they have the confidence that no matter what they do England can't beat them.

The problem with England is that just when you write their chances off they can pull something out of the bag, how many of us had said it is time for Cook to retire, or that he was looking spent? Then he strolls out at the MCG with all the poise, grace and talent that we saw in 2010/11. James Anderson is almost certain at age 35 to be playing his last Ashes series in Australia, so can he bring out something special in the last game? Stuart Broad too, he could come back but will he still be one of England's best in four years time? No question the desire is there, but I'm not sure it will be enough against Steve Smith and his merry men, and 4-0 beckons. Prove me wrong please, England.


Author's notes:

On Wednesday 3rd, I will be in the SCG nets as a net bowler. I don't know if it will be at England or Australia at this stage. For days 1 and 2 (and maybe 4), I will be at the SCG selling the Radio Ears that you can listen to the commentary with as for each one sold my cricket club gets a little bit of funding. I would really appreciate if you could come and buy one from me or my colleagues on ALL days of the SCG Test. As a result of this, it will be difficult for me to write a daily review of the play. I will do my best to. Thank you for reading, sharing and giving me feedback on my Ashes blogs. I appreciate them all.

Charlie.

The historic, magnificent, wonderful Sydney Cricket Ground.
Can England finally get a win?

Ashes 2017/18 - Melbourne Day 3 - Now They're Cooking

Already part of Ashes folklore after his 766 run series in 2010/11, Alastair Cook has an aura of someone who could score massive runs at any stage, even after a prolonged period of struggle. He has now become the first overseas batsman since Sunil Gavaskar to have scored a century on all 5 of Australia's main Test Grounds. 104 not out overnight, Cook picked up where he left off and how refreshing it was to see him bat with such positivity, grace and purpose to finish the day unbeaten on 244, his second double-century on these shores and a timely reminder of his importance to English cricket over the last decade.

In many ways, Cook's imperious innings covered the negative attention that could have been sent in the direction of his Captain. Joe Root quickly passed his fifty, however once again he fell into a trap and didn't convert. Pat Cummins, clearly feeling better after Day 2's stomach upset, bowled with good pace and set up the baited hook-shot, Root obliged and took it by holing out to a grateful Nathan Lyon at Deep Square Leg for 61.

It would be completely wrong to call Root's 61 a failure, and criticism of such a score is misguided. Without a hundred in the series, Root has scored regularly and got started. The frustration is that he hasn't gone on to make a really big score, the same criticism leveled at Alastair Cook before this wonderful innings. Before this series Root and Steve Smith were described as the two best batsman in world cricket, however only the Australian Captain has performed in this series to deserve such praise. Smith's incredible successes have highlighted Root's plight.

As ever with the England side, nothing ever looks nailed-on. Cook continued on his merry way but all around him the sense of an imminent wicket loomed large. Perth centurion Dawid Malan got going, but faced with the new ball and Josh Hazlewood he was rapped on the pads. My immediate reaction was that he had got outside the line, but it was given out and he chose not to review. Unbelievably, just like James Vince yesterday Malan chose not to review and this time there was a clear (and sizable) inside edge which would have surely seen the decision overturned.

England's innings was all about starts; Bairstow got to 22 with relative ease before trying to cut one from Lyon that was too close to him, a great catch by wicketkeeper Tim Paine to one that had a fair deflection. Moeen Ali tried to hit himself into form, chance his arm and got to 20 before trying one too many and hitting a short wide ball from Lyon straight into Shaun Marsh's hands at Short Cover. Chris Woakes also got to the twenties and threw it away with a tame glove behind, in reality the trio of Bairstow, Ali and Woakes should all be contributing more with the bat than they did at Melbourne, Bairstow's hundred in Perth showing what he is capable of.

Rolling back the years, Alastair Cook was the rock that England needed in this innings and ensured England got into a lead. The On-Drive to bring up his double century was a thing of beauty and the MCG crowd rose to acclaim a stupendous knock. Realistically a lead of more than a hundred was required to put any kind of pressure on the Australians though with a lead of just 46 and only Broad and Anderson to go, the hopes were rapidly fading, especially when Hazlewood struck Broad on the helmet and Cummins clearly causing issues for the Nottinghamshire man.

After weathering a hell of a storm, Broad came good and took on the Australian bowlers. The yorker is underused at many levels of the game, and missing Mitchell Starc's expert use of it ended up costing the Australians dear as the persistent short pitched bowling tactic backfired. Broad began hooking and pulling, sometimes luckily and occasionally riding that luck with edges over the cordon. This is where the yorker would have surely come in nicely. Intimidatory bowling is all well and good at the WACA or Gabba on bouncy pitches, but the lifeless MCG pitch did not have the capacity to really intimidate in anything like the same fashion and the lack of real attacking bowling with yorkers worked in England's favour. Broad delighted the Barmy Army by passing fifty with two smashing shots into the leg side.

Broad fell in somewhat controversial manner as ultimately the short ball worked. Pulling into the deep again he managed to pick out Usman Khawaja who managed to get his hands underneath the ball, face-plant the turf, lose the ball under his body and pick it up with the opposite hand all while somehow keeping it off the turf, or so it seemed. The soft signal was "out", and the Third Umpire took a while to replay it.

Using a bit of common sense it is physically impossible for Khawaja to have taken that ball in that manner without it touching the turf at some point but with the ball obscured under his body there was no clear evidence that the ball had indeed touched the turf. As the replays were inconclusive, the decision stayed with the on-field umpire and Broad was on his way with questions as to whether Umpires should really be giving soft signals for catches so far away from them. For what it is worth, I think it was handled correctly in accordance with the laws of the game and given the events the correct decision was made, however I still don't know how Khawaja has kept that off the turf.

Cook looks a new man, finishing with a flurry of boundaries as James Anderson hung around against the tired Australian attack. Cook 244 not out as England close on 491-9, with two days left in the game you would say that a declaration is unlikely and pushing past 500 until the last wicket falls is the order of Day 4. An Australian victory doesn't look likely in this game, but only a fool would write them off, especially with Steve Smith waiting in the wings. Anderson and Broad will have a huge job to do with the new ball tomorrow, but for now let us rejoice in a fabulous innings from a legend of English cricket.

Ashes 2017/18 - Melbourne Day 1 & 2 - Boxing Day, Boxing Clever

The Members Stand, surprisingly sparsely populated on Boxing Day

David Warner drove superbly

The traditional Boxing Day fixture at the majestic Melbourne Cricket Ground is always a highlight on the cricket calendar, especially during an Ashes series. Unfortunately, the series has already been decided and the Victorian crowd are left to witness a dead-rubber Ashes match again, which detracts from the occasion and could go some way to explaining why a "sell-out" crowd of only 88,172 showed up to a 100,000 seater stadium.

Both sides were forced into making a change; Devon/Somerset's Craig Overton aggravated a fractured rib during the WACA test that he originally sustained at Adelaide, handing South African born Tom Curran a Test Match debut in a showcase event. Australia's change was also forced as Mitchell Starc's bruised heel hadn't healed (no pun intended) in time so Jackson Bird deputises having impressed in Sheffield Shield cricket this year.

Cameron Bancroft struggled to 26

If the coin toss counted for anything, England were themselves 3-0 up going into Melbourne. Joe Root called incorrectly, 3-1 and Australia chose to bat as the sun shone brilliantly upon the perfectly manicured Billiards table that was the MCG outfield. Sitting in Bay 15 alongside the Barmy Army I got a sense of something imminent when watching David Warner stroll out to the middle and from the get-go he looked set for a score. Two shots in particular caught the eye, one each off the bowling of Anderson and Broad; two punched blocks that headed straight down the ground for four, gathering pace all the way to the fence. Warner eclipsed opening partner Bancroft who was only on 12 as Warner passed 50.

Whilst Warner was sublime, there were areas of frailty in his innings. I've said many times that if an overweight club-cricketer bowling medium pacers such as myself can knock Warner's off stump out then international bowlers should be able to exploit the weakness. From around the wicket, the top of off-stump area is a weakness for David Warner and the few times when England hit that area he mis-timed, played and missed or looked uncomfortable, but the rest of his innings was a lesson in positive Test cricket batting.

Warner's moment of horror on 99...

If Warner looked sublime as I mentioned, Bancroft looked disjointed but not in any real trouble until Chris Woakes trapped him lbw on 26. Warner by this stage was on 96, Australia 122-1. Not a single extra, but all that would change in dramatic fashion. On 99, Warner inexplicably looped one of those half-pull/half-nudge shots straight to Stuart Broad at Mid-On to the delight of debutant Tom Curran and the Barmy Army. A disconsolate Warner trudged towards the changing room but suddenly a roar from the Australian crowds as the big screen showed Tom Curran had overstepped breathed new life into the little opener. He clipped the next delivery away for a single to send the home fans wild, and he led out a guttural roar of delight to have made the milestone on a momentous day.

...Warner leaving the MCG just seconds
before his reprieve came on the big screen

In reality, it didn't cost England as Warner was dismissed by James Anderson shortly afterwards for 103, from around the wicket succumbing to that nagging off-stump line with a thin edge. Make no mistake, Warner deserved his moment, he deserved his hundred and there aren't too many hundreds in cricket at any level that don't have some element of luck. Tom Curran's misfortune was Warner's prize.

Usman Khawaja's contribution could best be described as curious. Without any real intent to rotate the strike, the Queensland Captain was the antithesis of David Warner. The second session figures of 45-2 showed as much. England bowled tidily, but it was Khawaja's lack of intent that really raised eyebrows, even with the free-scoring Steve Smith alongside him. Khawaja is attracting the critics with his current form, as was Stuart Broad in the lead-up to the 4th Test. Duly, Broad removed Khawaja with another nick behind and was convinced to have trapped Shaun Marsh next ball, a review showed the ball clipping leg-stump, the ruling of Umpire's Call the correct one, but a pivotal moment in the innings?

England's All-Time Leading
Wicket Taker, James Anderson

Moeen Ali has looked out of sorts all series, and the same could be said of his bowling in Melbourne. It spoke volumes that Australia went after him enough to convince Root to throw the ball to the previously unseen Dawid Malan for some leg spin. Malan impressed with his control, although with Khawaja batting as he was and Smith watching carefully it could be argued his 7 overs for just 20 runs could easily have been different had the partnership been two different individuals. It could also mean Ali's place in the side come Sydney will be under threat if he fails with the bat in Melbourne.

Steve Smith, never orthodox, drives
on Boxing Day 2017

Shaun Marsh and Steve Smith easily got to the close, not before the Australian captain brought up another fifty. Warner and Smith looked like they were batting on a different pitch such was the ease of their play as Bancroft, Khawaja and Marsh all grifted towards their scores. A marvellous Boxing Day,
the ubiquitous Barmy Army song repetoire in full voice and the sun beaming on Australian cricket's grandest occasion; A pleasure to have been in attendance for.

Day 2, watching from back in Sydney gave me some déja vu that I hadn't booked tickets for a second day. Back in 2009, three of us had travelled 2 ½ hours to Birmingham to watch Day 1 of the Ashes match at Edgbaston. Play was delayed due to rain, commencing at 5:30pm with only 25 overs of play possible, just enough for the organisers to avoid paying any refunds on the tickets. Australia reached 126-1, Simon Katich the only wicket to fall. Watching from home in Devon the following day, England started the day with Graham Onions taking two wickets with the first two deliveries. Not quite so dramatic at the MCG, but with Australia starting on 244-3 the need for wickets and the desperation England showed to take them was great to see, although it could be argued it doesn't matter now the Ashes are gone.

Tom Curran impressed on debut, but had to wait until
Day 2 for his first Test wicket; Steve Smith.

Smith added just 11 runs to his overnight score when he dragged a short and wide delivery from Tom Curran onto his stumps, no dramas with the front foot this time and for the second time in the series Smith was a debutant's maiden wicket, in the same fashion too. Mitch Marsh dragged on from Woakes in similar circumstances, as did Tim Paine with James Anderson after Stuart Broad had pinned Shaun Marsh lbw. Wickets at regular intervals have eluded England this series (when they are bowling, I mean) and from a position where Australia would be looking at a score of 450 plus, suddenly making 350 was far from certain. Broad and Anderson wrapped up the tail as Australia were dismissed just after lunch for 327. Broad finished with 4-51, a timely return to some kind of form as Anderson also claimed 3-61.

Stuart Broad claimed 4-51

Without Mitchell Starc's thunderbolts to start proceedings, Josh Hazlewood was partnered with the new ball by Jackson Bird. The dryness of this MCG track gave nothing to the opening bowlers, so it was no surprise when cult hero Nathan Lyon entered the attack in the 8th over. Inevitably, he made the breakthrough with another stunning one-handed caught-and-bowled to remove Stoneman, pleasing as it was to see the England opener showing some intent to score against Lyon.

Jonny Bairstow:
A Barmy Army favourite

Alastair Cook looks to have made a change to his technique, making a more concerted effort to get his front foot out to meet the ball rather than sitting deep in his crease. Taking advantage of a weakened Australian attack, Cook played an array of drives, clips and pulls to register his first fifty of the series not long after James Vince had fallen lbw to Hazlewood for 17. The ball was clearly hitting the stumps, and the two noises appeared to be the ball hitting both pads. After a short conversation with Cook, Vince decided not to review and replays then showed he had got a significant inside edge that he clearly must not have felt, otherwise he would have reviewed the decision immediately and continued his innings.

Joe Root has plenty to ponder

Pat Cummins was struggling with some kind of stomach upset but still resolved to get his overs in to share the workload, although Tim Paine felt confident enough to stand up to the stumps for a while. This backfired as Cook was given a life on 66, a difficult chance to Steve Smith at slip who seemed a little slow to pick it up as it came past Paine. Cook has long been overdue this fifty, and Joe Root will be frustrated to have made several starts this series without going on to make a hundred. With Starc missing, Cummins under the weather, Bird unproven in Ashes cricket and a relatively lifeless pitch to deal with there will be no better chance than this.

That Alastair Cook showed the intestinal fortitude to convert that fifty to a hundred in the last over of the day, and Joe Root sits on 49 not out means that England have fought back magnificently. The two names that England needed to stand up in this series have done so, what a shame it's taken until the 4th Test for Cook to fire, hopefully Joe Root will convert his start this time around. All in all it has been a great start to the Test match and there is finally a contest, rather than a one-sided pummelling. An occasion such as the Boxing Day Test deserves as much.

Complete with Devon flag, attending Boxing Day at an Ashes Test has fulfilled a
lifelong dream. The magnificent MCG is the perfect setting for such an occasion.

Ashes 2017/18 - Perth Day 4 & 5 - Australia Smash England In Another Ashes Romp

They say that lightning doesn't strike twice, and that's proven untrue. Lightning striking three times, nearly unheard of. But England have found themselves 3-0 down after three matches in four of the last five Ashes Series to be played in Australia. 2002/03, led by Steve Waugh was 3-0 after Perth and indeed 4-0 after Melbourne, England rallying to a consolation victory in Sydney but losing 4-1. 2006/07, Ricky Ponting's men defeated Andrew Flintoff's depleted side 5-0. 2010/11 was England's only victory in an Australian Ashes series since the 1980's, Michael Clarke's average side plus Mitchell Johnson beat Alastair Cook's men 5-0 in 2013/14. Steve Smith is on his way to replicating that.

Day 4 at the WACA began with England taking some quick wickets, but Australia powered on to make 662-9dec. In truth, England were facing a battle to even make Australia bat again. Alastair Cook looks to be in the kind of form where he'll call it quits at the end of the tour, although he may well just take a break from cricket in January and come back in the English summer ready to conquer to world one last time. You can never tell with the former England Captain, but Nathan Lyon's pre-series talk about ending careers may well turn out to be spot on.

Cook failed again, just 17 this time but Stoneman had already departed by that point. Joe Root played an inexplicable airy-fairy drive at Lyon's first ball, by this time the whole cricketing world knew it was all over bar the shouting. Before the penultimate day ended, we witnessed a magic delivery. It has already been described as the Ball of the 21st Century, however I would give that title to another Australian. At the WACA Starc was indebted to the cracks in the Perth surface which moved a delivery to James Vince which was destined to go down the leg side onto the off stump. Vince's reaction was akin to Mike Gatting after Shane Warne's infamous introduction to Ashes cricket in 1993, and indeed it was an unbelievable delivery. A deflection of 3.5º on a delivery measured at 143kmh (89mph) gives a batsman no chance to react to the deviation.

For mine, the Ball Of The 21st Century came at the MCG in 2014. Mitchell Johnson had set up India's Cheteshwar Pujara with some fearsome bowling, striking his helmet, forcing him back and really testing the Indian. Then he pulled out a magnificent cutter which deviated 4.2º, but the reason the Johnson delivery gets my vote is because it was all of Johnson's skill that produced it. It was a purposeful act to roll his fingers down the ball and cause the deviation, whereas Starc's was aimed at cracks which could just as easily deviated the other way and gone for four byes/wides. That it hit the stumps was miraculous, and certainly spectacular, and deserving a place in Classic Ashes highlights for years to come. Well bowled, young man. England got a rain break in Perth, another unusual event, and the Barmy Army dared to dream of another Great Escape. On the 5th morning, the miracle England needed looked to have come in farcical circumstances.

With such heavy rain and windy conditions making life difficult for the groundsmen the pitch had been left wet on an area of the pitch that could be considered dangerous to the safety of the players. Quite when this occurred exactly is anyone's guess, however images of the tarpaulin being launched by the wind and pole-axing a poor groundsman did little to inspire Australian confidence, and much for England's pipe-dream of keeping the series alive going into Melbourne. We were treated to the sight of multiple leaf blowers being used in an attempt to dry out the pitch, in between squally showers when the covers had to be replaced. This palaver continued for the entire morning forcing an early lunch, play not commencing until 1pm.

With his first delivery on Day 5, Josh Hazlewood removed Jonny Bairstow. Any lingering hopes of England saving the test were squashed by the skill of Hazlewood, who removed Malan and Overton to finish with 5-48. Moeen Ali's tour refuses to improve, and pinning the batting hopes on England's tail is futile at best. Stuart Broad was out for a duck, James Anderson will take no pleasure in being 1 not out and Chris Woakes showed a little spirit before becoming the final wicket to fall as Australia regained the Ashes in style. Australia have, to quote the Grade Cricketer, completely "Alpha'd" the hapless Poms. Quite honestly, the surrender was so meek that Australia could have playing the French military for all we knew.

When such crushing defeats occur there is usually some kind of inquest to ensure it doesn't happen again. The preparation that England had leading into the 2010/11 series was outstanding, and led to a brilliant 3-1 victory to Andrew Strauss's men. That meticulous planning was nowhere to be seen in 2013/14 and the drubbing was inevitable. This time around, it appears England's stocks are pretty weak, which leads me to wonder about the domestic game.

In Australia, there are six State teams; New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. Each state is fed by the main city's Premier Cricket competition (formerly Grade cricket); Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth respectively. There are variances in each state, but the point for me is that at the highest level of domestic cricket there are only 6 sides. This means there are approximately 66 players (call it 75-80 for squad depth) from which Cricket Australia have to pick for the national side. The talent is concentrated into the state sides.

Compare that with England, where the County Championship consists of eighteen teams over two divisions, approximately 200 players playing at the First Class level at any one time. The talent pool is much more diluted, and Steven Finn has made interesting comments this week about how the sheer amount of cricket played in such a short space of time can wear down England's quicker bowlers. We have seen the importance of pace in Test cricket, and frankly there isn't enough pace in the English game. I am not suggesting that County Cricket is abolished, far from it. But domestic cricket in England needs serious scrutiny.

The issue with altering anything in the English game is tradition. Breaking from tradition is something that many associated with the MCC would say should be listed in the Book of Revelations as a reason for the start of the Apocalypse. The County Championship is, they'll say, an institution that does not need major changes. I would argue differently, that the County Championship should be a feeder to regional sides who play at the highest level. For example, splitting the counties into regions such as Wessex, Midlands, South East, North West, etc. These should be the First Class teams, and a structure similar to the Sheffield Shield implemented to allow the best players from the counties in those regions to play against each other. By allowing such a diverse level of talent, the best players aren't being tested at domestic level to anywhere near the standards required for Test Cricket.

People will point to the likes of India and Pakistan, who have many many First Class sides, or South Africa who have fourteen First Class sides, similar to England's County game. Steve Smith, while representing New South Wales, would have got far more high class experience out of facing Mitchell Johnson charging in for WA or James Pattinson charging in for Victoria, than Joe Root will have for Yorkshire facing Tim Murtagh of Middlesex (picked a random name out, Murtagh may well rock up in international cricket and dominate for all I know about him), for example. In point of fact, Joe Root only played two games for Yorkshire in 2017 anyway.

The debate about England's domestic woes could take up an entire year of debate, so back to the original point. Australia have won the Ashes. Australia more than deserve it, they have dominated England, they have driven England into the ground, they have the desire and hunger to go out there and beat them 5-0. Going completely back on my pre-series prediction, I cannot see how England will avoid it. Alastair Cook has been involved in two whitewashes already, it's hard to see how he can combat the demons to stave off a third. I'm almost moved to put $50 on it, perhaps to tempt the cricket Gods to show me mercy. Out of 13 Ashes Tests I have been in Australia to witness, Australia have won all 13. Clearly, I'll celebrate a draw! If England do lose 5-0, I will have to book a 7 week overseas excursion for the 2021/22 series.

There is talk of a record crowd at the MCG on Boxing Day, as there always is when an Ashes summer rolls around. For the first time, I am attending. I was at Day 2 and 3 in 2006 for England's humiliation, and I was there on Boxing Day 2009 to watch Australia v Pakistan. This will be my first Ashes Boxing Day experience at "The G", one of cricket's most imposing Stadia. An enthralling contest? Probably not, but I hope that the teams give the Barmy Army something to cheer about! Obviously as a result of being in transit, I will be unable to report on Day 1, so the next entry will come on Day 2.

For those who celebrate it, have a Happy Christmas. And Congratulations to Steve Smith and the Australian cricket team for regaining the most important Christmas present of all. Onto Melbourne.

Ashes 2017/18 - Perth Day 3 - Steve Smith Masterclass Puts Australia On The Verge

A direct quote from the previous article makes me wonder why I didn't put a bet on it. "You wouldn't bet against Australia reaching 500 on Day 3." I don't think in their wildest dreams the Australians would have thought Steve Smith would bat through the day unbeaten to finish on 229 not out alongside Mitchell Marsh, who finished 181 not out. Shaun Marsh was the only wicket to fall, caught at slip off Moeen Ali, but in reality you would be struggling to call that a highlight given how dreadful the day was for England.

Quite frankly, the day's play has been summed up in that one paragraph; England toothless, Australia mighty. It only makes the collapse on Day 2 more frustrating, because it really is the same old England. The Australian press had previously lambasted the Australian selectors for including Shaun Marsh, he responded with his hundred in Adelaide. The Australian press were almost equally critical of the inclusion of brother Mitchell Marsh. Boy, haven't the Australian selectors earnt the right to serve some humble pie to the gathered journalists in Perth.

549-4, just let that sink in for a moment. England lose 6 for 35 to get 403, which they weren't too displeased with at the time. Australia just have a knack of finding a way to grind the opposition down, especially when that opposition is England. Anderson and Broad, 907 wickets between them, go wicketless. Overton couldn't add to his 2 from yesterday, Woakes is still off colour, Ali is no threat at all and his confidence is shot.

You can't take anything away from Steve Smith, you begin to run out of superlatives for the man even though he is not the easiest on the eye. There's a passion about him, look how he celebrates his hundreds (yes, plural at times). He is an intense character, and an intense cricketer. Then there's Mitchell Marsh, where he pulled that innings from is anyone's guess. His driving was sublime, which suggests England actually pitched the ball up. I still feel they are bowling too short.

The only thing left to wonder is whether the Ashes will belong to Steve Smith's Australia on Sunday or Monday. Clearly I'm not a betting man, but it would not surprise me to see Australia end up with a lead of 250 plus, and England to not make Australia bat again. Any trophy engravers in the vicinity of the WACA should drop a business card off tomorrow.

Ashes 2017/18 - Perth Day 2 - England's Fix Only Temporary, It Would Appear

It's a disturbing trend that shows no signs of changing; England put on a strong batting performance one day, then collapse into a heap the next. In Adelaide we saw Joe Root put England into a position where they might be able to chase down a total before sleeping on it and coming out to fall over on the final day. In Perth, we saw a superb Dawid Malan hundred with Jonny Bairstow aiding and abetting and they looked to be continuing nicely on day 2 as they added another 63 onto their record 5th wicket partnership v Australia (237).

Jonny Bairstow brought up his maiden Ashes hundred, and celebrated with the emotion of a man who has been through a lot, not least losing his father as a youngster. In a tongue-in-cheek nod to the controversy after Brisbane, he headbutted his England helmet. It clearly meant a lot to the Yorkshireman, and the importance of taking his country past 400 and beyond was clear to all. However, this is where England are so adept at throwing it away. Shortly after, Dawid Malan was deceived by Nathan Lyon, drawn out of his crease to loop up a catch, well taken by diving substitute Peter Handscomb.

From there, the collapse began. Moeen Ali fended his second ball to Smith at slip, Woakes helped Hazlewood around the corner to be caught at fine leg, Bairstow inexplicably played across the line to be bowled when a straight bat may well have brought him the boundary he was trying to hit, and suddenly England were in peril. Craig Overton succumbed to a well directed bouncer from Hazlewood, only able to fend off to short leg. A little entertainment from Stuart Broad was nice to see, clearly not willing to stand there and take a pummelling. Moving around his crease, at one stage he launched a massive 104 metre six out of the ground. But when trying to repeat the feat he unluckily got a toe end of the bat to one and once again Short Leg was there to take an easy catch. England were all out for 403, having been 368-4. Losing 6 wickets for 35 runs is not the way to get yourself back into the series.

David Warner has a fantastic record at the WACA, averaging in the 90's. Michael Clarke put the mockers on him, telling Channel 9 viewers that he was looking in the zone for a hundred. Shortly after the drinks interval after a solid start, Craig Overton found the edge and Warner was gone for 22. Overton also picked up Bancroft lbw soon after, but not without having to review. From then, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja looked to take the game to England. Smith set off at a terrific rate as England struggled to contain him. His one moment of danger came when 6ft 5in Craig Overton got one to really jump out of nowhere, smash into Smith's glove and helmet before dropping very close to the stumps. After a little treatment, Smith was on his way again and went to the close unbeaten.

Usman Khawaja fell lbw to Woakes late in the day, but not before a century stand with Smith. Shaun Marsh saw Australia to the close with his Captain, Smith unbeaten on 92, Australia 200 behind with 7 wickets in hand.

Australia are in a great position but we have seen how quickly wickets can fall on an increasingly wearing pitch. The Smith conundrum hasn't been solved with the red ball for England, they need to work it out or they will be looking at a first innings deficit. With Moeen Ali so ineffective at the moment, you wouldn't bet against Australia reaching 500 on Day 3 and putting England back in. The destiny of the Ashes rests on Saturday's play.

Ashes 2017/18 - Perth Day 1 - Have England Fixed Their Game?

Admittedly a poor choice of words for the title of this article, given the lead-up to the 3rd Ashes Test was marred by reports of individuals claiming to be able to manipulate parts of the final Ashes Test to be played at the iconic WACA ground in Perth. Early reports suggest that none of the current players or coaching staff are involved with this match-fixing debacle so for the time being that particular story will be treated with the contempt it deserves and when more is known or individuals identified then further comment will be warranted.

Almost to the point of nausea has the topic of England's poor record at the WACA been discussed, against the backdrop of off-field misbehaviour you could be forgiven for thinking that England might as well not show up and this game was a foregone conclusion, whether through apparent match-fixers or Australian bravado. Just a solitary victory at this ground in 1978 against an Australian side ravaged by Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket is England's only bright spot. Joe Root can at least point to his victory at the WACA, but in reality "Heads or Tails" isn't quite what the Fremantle Doctor ordered.

In choosing to bat first and face up to the fresh barrage from fresh bowlers England know the importance of making a big first-innings total. A clear ploy from Hazlewood and Starc to bowl very full to Mark Stoneman proved expensive, as Starc's wayward radar allowed the opener to race away into the 20's at a terrific rate. Alastair Cook (7) almost looked resigned to a low score from the moment he walked to the crease, duly trapped in front of middle by Starc to a decision that only Shane Watson would review.

James Vince joined Stoneman and Australia moved towards the intimidatory short-pitched option for Stoneman, immediately troubling him although they weathered the storm nicely while ticking the score. Vince has taken criticism for being too promiscuous with his cover-driving this series, as well as the rest of the top order for getting starts and not going on to make a big score. How frustrating that Vince made 25 and played a very loose cover drive with 5 minutes left before lunch, feathering through to Tim Paine for the easiest of catches.

Stoneman was riding his luck, another day could have seen England lose wickets in a heap but Australia were strangely sloppy in the field. Mitchell Marsh, brought in to replace Peter Handscomb on his home ground, inexplicably dropped a sitter at first slip for Stoneman's first reprieve. The following delivery dealt Stoneman a nasty blow to the head, and clearly shaken after a little break for treatment could only fend off another throat ball that Nathan Lyon put down at Point. England's luck looked like it could be changing.

Joe Root needed to make a statement and score runs. A tidy 20 from 23 balls means he was guilty of making a start and not going on, although it could be argued that being strangled down the leg-side off the glove is a fortuitous wicket for Pat Cummins. Lady luck smiled on the hosts, when Stoneman gloved a ripper of a delivery from Mitchell Starc, although it was not given. Smith reviewed without delay, Australian body language stating they were confident to have got their man. Replays suggested that Stoneman may get his own luck, as the glove the ball appeared to strike was not touching the bat which under the Laws of Cricket means he was not out. Snicko showed a sound, but not until after the ball had passed the glove in contact with the bat. Yet, somehow the Third Umpire deduced that the decision was to be reversed and Stoneman was on his way for 56, England teetering on 131-4.

From this point on the WACA saw a batting masterclass, Jonny Bairstow finally promoted to 6 and Dawid Malan a picture of grace saw England to the close without further loss. Throughout the entire evening session Malan's cover driving and Bairstow's refusal to engage in Australia's bouncer tactic encapsulated what Test cricket is all about. The WACA outfield is fast and you get value for your shots, but take nothing away from Bairstow's strokeplay. Reaching 50 with a delightful nurdle to the Third Man boundary, the troubles of the tour took a back seat and the Barmy Army applauded a man who's promotion to 6 paid an immediate dividend. Bairstow finished the day unbeaten on 75.

If Bairstow was gritty, Malan was sublime. Cover driving the likes of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood is no easy task. Brisbane and Adelaide reflected that, Perth provided a true batting surface with bounce that can be trusted and no gremlins in the pitch. Mind you, a brand new Kookaburra will move in the air so when Mitchell Starc produced a beautiful outswinger first delivery with the new ball to Malan (at this stage 92 not out) that he could only edge to Second/Third Slip, it was imperative that Cameron Bancroft held onto the chance. He failed, and with it Australia's chance to break into England's brittle lower order had gone.

Malan completed his century by pulling Hazlewood to the Deep Square Leg boundary with authority. England's first century of the Ashes series, at a crucial time. How the tourists will hope that Jonny Bairstow will become the second during the first session on Day 2. Malan finished on 110 not out, the partnership 174 and counting. England are finally in a strong position to put pressure on Australia, 305-4 is a great base but will mean nothing if they are all out for less than 400. They need to grind the Australian bowlers into the ground, aim for over 500 and come out firing with the ball late on Day 2.

You can't help but feel that the humour had all but left the England camp. What tomorrow needs is Jonny Bairstow to bring up his hundred and celebrate by headbutting his batting partner in celebration, and for Jimmy Anderson to pick up a wicket and celebrate by having the twelfth man pour a drink over him. Whichever way you look at it, Friday in Perth promises a Battle Royale.