The Reverse Sweep

2nd Test: Adelaide - Preview: Can England make psychological blows count?

 
England's fightback at Brisbane was nothing short of astounding as they turned likely defeat into a psychologically advantageous draw. Like most England fans, we were thinking "here we go again", as Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook just survived to the close on the end of the 3rd day still over 200 runs behind.

But we were wrong and the 'Gabbatoir' became Australia's slaughterhouse over the next two days as first Strauss and Cook, and then Cook and Trott wrote their way into the record books. How could we ever have doubted you, England?

If a scorecard of 517/1 gave England the edge at the Gabba, then the subsequent dropping of Australia's misfiring attack leader Mitchell Johnson is another psychological blow for Ricky Ponting and his men. Whilst Johnson's performance in Brisbane was dreadful, removing him from the team after one test suggests there is panic and uncertainty in the Australian camp.

Adelaide is likely to be another paradise for batsmen to fill their boots and for bowlers to toil and if Brisbane taught as anything, it is that both teams are going to struggle to take 20 wickets on good pitches. That said, Australia were unable to make scoreboard pressure count in England's second innings at The Gabba and it will be interesting to see what happens if the roles are reversed in Adelaide.

For Australia, Marcus North has taken Michael Hussey's stool in the last chance saloon and there are question marks as to whether Doug Bollinger and/or Ryan Harris will come in. Michael Clarke also looked out of sorts in Brisbane and Xavier Doherty probably has just this match left to show that he is a better bowler than a first-class average of 50 suggests.

England look in better shape. The top three scored hundreds in Brisbane and both Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell looked in fine fettle. England's seamers looked sharper than their Australian counterparts too - Peter Siddle apart - and James Anderson showed that he is a completely different bowler from four years ago. England's only real problem centres on Swann, who had a poor Test to bring back all the question marks over the effectiveness of off-spinners on Australian wickets.

Both teams will be looking to win the toss and post a big 1st innings score and then see if they can make scoreboard pressure count.

Likely line-ups

England are likely to be unchanged barring any late injuries, although there has been some mutterings that Ajmal Shahzad, whose ability to get reverse swing should suit the Adelaide wicket, may come in for Steve Finn.

For Australia, we know that there will be at least one change with Bollinger or Harris coming in for Johnson. Both may play if the selectors decide to leave Ben Hilfenhaus out too.

Look out for...

Kevin Pietersen looked better than he has for ages during his 43 at Brisbane and a big score cannot be that far away. He scored 158 in the last Adelaide Test and being fond of the limelight, he will be especially determined to steal away some of Cook's thunder. 

Marcus North has a habit of saving his skin just when you think he is a goner, so don't be surprised if he hits his sixth Test hundred - and his first in Australia.

The resumption of the war of words between Shane Watson and James Anderson, which threatened to boil over at times in Brisbane and which should continue to provide excellent theatre.

Previously at Adelaide

Australia have won 16 of 29 Tests against England at Adelaide, whilst the visitors have triumphed on eight occasions. Here is what happened in the last four, along with Adelaide's most famous Test of all:

2006 - Australia won by six wickets: The nadir of a dreadful series for England saw them start the final day 97 runs ahead with nine wickets left on a flat track before Shane Warne induced an almighty panic, leading to the most ignominious of defeats.

2002 - Australia won by an innings and 51: Despite a brilliant 177 from Michael Vaughan, England could only muster 342 batting first. A ruthless Australia responded with 552 for nine with Ponting hitting 154 and England then folded for 159 in their second innings.

1998 - Australia won by 205 runs: At 187/3, with Hussain and Ramprakash going well, England were looking good in response to Australia's 391, but then came the all-too familiar batting collapse as the last seven wickets fell for 40. Chasing an unlikely 443, England succumbed in their 2nd innings too - this time for 237 - and Australia had retained the Ashes again.

1995 - England won by 106 runs: England's last win in Adelaide was their only moment of joy in the 1994/95 series. Australia led by 66 on 1st innings, but a belligerent 88 off just 95 balls by Phil De Freitas enabled England to set the Aussies 263 to win. Devon Malcolm and Chris Lewis then took four wickets apiece as Australia could only make 156.

1933 - England won by 338 runs: The most infamous Test match ever? It nearly broke an Empire. With the series locked at 1-1, England slipped to 30 for four before recovering to 341. Then the real drama unfolded as first Woodfull and then Oldfield were felled by Larwood. Cables were exchanged between the ACB and MCC, mounted police kept a baying crowd from rioting and Jardine maintained his iron rule as England cantered to victory. 

Prediction:

It is difficult to see either side taking 20 wickets, so we go for a draw. However, if England win the toss and post a big first innings score, don't be surprised to see the Aussies collapse like at Lord's and The Oval in 2009.

Where next?

England's best Test performances of the noughties

Ten tips for The Ashes

Zeroes: Mitchell Johnson

The 25 Greatest Ashes Tests of them all: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

1st Test - Brisbane: Australia marks out of 10

Ricky Ponting cut a thoughtful figure after his powder-puff attack failed to get an English wicket on day five and the game petered out into a draw. Other than two Peter Siddle spells on day one and the occasional good ball from Ben Hilfenhaus, Australia's bowlers looked toothless. With Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris added to the squad for the Adelaide Test, changes could well be afoot.

Here's how the Aussies rated at Brisbane.

Shane Watson - 6: Good with the ball on the first morning but poor thereafter. Looked assured enough with the bat as England tested his propensity to get caught trapped in front. Acrimonious battle with Anderson was absorbing.

Simon Katich - 6: A solid fifty in the 1st innings before falling to Finn's brilliant return catch, but will head on to Adelaide with a sore foot and a cheap dismissal second time around against Broad on his mind.

Ricky Ponting - 5: Followed the ball too much in the field on days 4 and 5, although he must feel like a platoon leader whose men have no ammunition such is the paucity of his bowling options. Followed his leg-side dismissal in the 1st innings to come out with all guns firing in his second knock to show that at least he has some bullets of his own.

Michael Clarke - 2: A game to forget. Scratched around for a pretty desperate 9 from 50 balls after being erroneously reprieved before he had scored by the Review System and then dropped two catches.

Michael Hussey - 9: Showed real character to emerge from the last chance saloon with his place in the side intact. Rode his luck - especially against Anderson - but deserved his good fortune and could now choose his own moment to enjoy his test swansong. 

Marcus North - 4: The best spinner on display in the match, but failed with the day job once again. Will play at Adelaide, but will he stay be there come the end of the series?

Brad Haddin - 8.5: Not the best keeper - as evidenced when dropping Anderson to deny Siddle a 7th wicket, but a high quality batsman. We doubt he'll ever play a better or more restrained innings than he did here.

Mitchell Johnson - 0: No wickets. No runs. No catches. No points. Bowled absolute filth throughout and the comedy moustache just added to the joke - see Zeroes: Mitchell Johnson.

Xavier Doherty - 4: Not a pitch to make your debut on as a bowler. Bowled tidily enough but looked what he is - a spinner with a first-class average of over 50.

Peter Siddle - 8: A Jekyll and Hyde performance from Siddle. Was brilliant in the 1st innings as he took a hat-trick and six wickets on his birthday, but poor and expensive second time around.

Ben Hilfenhaus - 5: Looked unplayable in the first over of each innings - well that's how Strauss made it look anyway. But thereafter looked down on pace and was played with relative ease.

Where next?

1st Test - Brisbane: England marks out 10

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin Kings

All-time England Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin King

The Boundary View: The Empire Strikes Back - Brisbane, Day Four

 
Strauss goes from zero to hero

Andrew Strauss copped quite a bit of tap for his third ball dismissal in the first innings, so to bounce back today with a hundred - especially with his side behind the eight ball at the start of play - exemplified hisimmense mental strength and resilience. The luck was with him as evidenced by his narrow escape to the first ball of the innings and Mitchell Johnson's butter fingers, but like Michael Hussey yesterday, Strauss deserved his slices of good fortune. He became the seventh Englishman to follow a 1st innings duck with a 2nd innings Ashes hundred - following in the footsteps of Vaughan, Botham, Randall, Sheppard, Woolley and Tyldesley. The ultimate zero to hero story.

Cook's hard work pays dividends

For a man that was supposed to be the weak link in England's batting line-up, Alastair Cook has had a remarkable match. A watchful fifty in the 1st innings and now a workmanlike hundred in the second. Cook's technique looked all over the place in the English summer but time at the crease during the tour seems to have corrected most of these glitches and given Cook the requisite confidence. Perhaps the most notable beneficiary of England's approach to playing three warm-up matches prior to the series?

Better than Hobbs & Sutcliffe?

Strauss and Cook's ninth century opening stand in their 82nd test innings together took them past the Jack Hobbs-Herbert Sutcliffe union to become England's most prolific opening pair in Test cricket (see full list here). A fantastic achievement, yes. But, Hobbs and Sutcliffe - arguably the greatest opening partnership of them all - managed their 3249 runs in only 38 innings with 15 century stands and an average of 87.81 - over double that of Strauss and Cook. But given their highest opening partnership of the ill-fated 2006-07 series was 45, their 188 run stand today was quite brilliant.

Ponting's gun fires blanks

Even though the pitch suited the batters, Ricky Ponting must be worried about his misfiring attack. Johnson was hopeless and Ben Hilfenhaus has only really been dangerous in the first over of each innings. Xavier Doherty has bowled tidily but for the most part has been unthreatening and Shane Watson looked a part-time option at best. Even Peter Siddle has looked a shadow of the bowler he was in the 1st innings. With England toiling for 158 overs in Australia's 1st innings, it would seem that the attack that most quickly finds the ability to take 20 wickets in a match will win this series. 

Player of the Day

Alastair Cook - most of the attention will go to Strauss, but it was Cook that batted for the whole day and he now has just one run shy of 200 in both innings and has occupied the crease for over 10 hours in the match.

Zero of the day

Mitchell Johnson - for spraying the ball around like a sex-addicted rabbit on viagra and dropping an easy chance to reprieve Strauss. No wickets, a 19 ball duck, that drop and a comedy moustache - the joke is certainly on Johnson in this Test. Even Ponting seems to be losing the faith.

What happens next?

The draw seems the most likely result. But if England can push on, carve out a 300 run lead before tea and take a few wickets with the new ball, who knows? Just a note of caution for England fans though - in Adelaide in 2006 England were 97 runs ahead at the end of the fourth day and looked what happened then. 

Where next?

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin Kings

All-time England Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin King

The Boundary View: The Hussey & Haddin Show - Brisbane, Day Three

The Boundary View: Mr Cricket Thwarts England - Brisbane, Day Two

The Boundary View: Siddle's Joy of Six - Brisbane, Day One

The Boundary View: The Hussey & Haddin Show - Brisbane, Day Three

 
Hussey rubs it in

Having batted with real positive intent yesterday, Michael Hussey had to dig in deep for the first hour this morning with James Anderson in particularly producing several unplayable deliveries. The luck that Hussey had on Day Two when his edge off his first ball fell just short of slip continued. First, he was reprieved by the review system when adjudged leg before on 82 to Anderson and then the same bowler had another leg before appeal wrongly turned down when Hussey had added only another three runs to his score. Hussey deservedly cashed in on his good fortune, hitting his 12th and highest test score before just falling short of a double hundred. Mr Cricket is back.  

Watchful Haddin gets his reward

Hussey will take most of the plaudits, but Haddin's innings was just as good. He was unusually restrained yesterday and had to hold firm during the first hour today when England did everything but take a wicket. If he had gone then England would likely have mopped up the tail and the match situation could be very different. Haddin, who played  some wonderful shots down the ground, reached his hundred in more characteristic style with a straight six off Swann. He may have iron gloves behind the stumps, but he proved his worth as batsman beyond doubt and now averages just under 60 in five Tests against England with two hundreds. Adam who?

If only...

England hadn't been so profligate with their two reviews on day two. Their misjudegment cost them dearly when in the midst of an inspired new ball spell from Anderson, Aleem Dar incorrectly refused a stone dead leg before appeal against Hussey on 85. Dar heard two noises but replays showed the ball hit both pads. A wicket then could have changed everything. A rueful Anderson deserved better, but at least he has shown that he is completely different proposition from the hapless figure of the 2006/07 series.

Make mine a triple

In England's last Test, Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad compiled that wonderful 332 run partnership against Pakistan - you know the one before all the spot-fixing furore broke. Hussey and Haddin's 307 run union here meant the shoe was on the other foot for England. It is the 11th highest partnership in Ashes history and the highest partnership for any wicket at The Gabba. The last 300+ run Ashes partnership was the one between Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen at Adelaide in 2006 and we all know what happened after that...  

Dismal Starters

England's notoriously bad record at starting Ashes series looks set to continue after a day of toil in Brisbane. Since winning at the same venue in the 1st Test of the 1986/87 series, England have only won the opening test of an Ashes series once - the false dawn of Edgbaston in 1997. Australia have won eight of the remaining ten with only two draws - the Great Escape of Cardiff, 2009 and Brisbane 1998, where a spectacular thunderstorm saved England from certain defeat. Strauss is probably already perfecting his rain dance after today.

Joint Players of the day

Finn persevered well for his six wickets, but it's Hussey and Haddin all the way here. Hussey saved his career with his test best and Haddin showed the worth of having a keeper who can hit hundreds.

Zero of the day

England weren't great but they weren't awful other than some negative tactics from Strauss and a couple of missed catches from Anderson and Alastair Cook. The real zero was the normally excellent Dar, who as an elite umpire should have seen that Anderson's ball hit both pads rather than pad and bat. But this is probably just a tired and frustrated England supporter clutching at straws.

What happens next?

Having just survived the first ball of the innings from Ben Hilfenhaus and Australia well on top, Strauss will know that he needs to play a resolute captain's knock a la Mike Atherton at Johannesburg in 1995. But Australia must be firm favourites to go 1-0 up.

Where next?

The Boundary View: Mr Cricket Thwarts England - Brisbane, Day Two

The Boundary View: Siddle's Joy of Six - Brisbane, Day One

Brisbane Heroes: Tony Greig, Eddie Paynter

Brisbane Zero: Martin McCague

The Boundary View: Siddle's Joy of Six - Brisbane, Day One

 

The joy of six for Siddle

As first days go, it wasn't quite akin to the new boy at school having his head shoved down the loo by the bigger kids - but it wasn't far off for England. And things had looked so promising just after tea with Alastair Cook and Ian Bell going well and Australia resorting to bowling outside off-stump in order to stem the flow of runs.  Enter Peter Siddle who celebrated his birthday and overwhelmingly justified his selection ahead of Doug Bollinger with only the eighth hat-trick in Ashes history. Siddle looked the most likely bowler all day and made England pay for the likes of Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Cook failing to push on to a big score after getting good starts - it was certainly nothing to do with the pitch, which makes Siddle's six wickets all the more impressive.

The opening shots of an all too familiar story

Steve Harmison's horror first ball of the 2006/07 series was memorable for all the wrong reasons, but with more focus than usual on the opening delivery of the match, Ben Hilfenhaus produced an instantly forgettable innocuous delivery that passed harmlessly past Andrew Strauss' off-stump. His third ball is the one that will be remembered though - not that it was a good one - with Strauss cutting a poor delivery straight to gully. By the end of the day, with Simon Katich hitting Graeme Swann's first two deliveries for four you could visibly see the confidence draining from England. What is it with England and starting Brisbane tests so badly?  

X-Factor or X-Rated?

Xavier Doherty's rapid rise from obscurity to Australia's test team has created a lot of interest - not least because of his first-class bowling average of 48. But he did well for someone on debut and bowled tidily getting turn, bounce and occasional drift as he went past the outside edge on more than one occasion. The battle with Pietersen was fascinating, with KP shading it this time. It's a shame for Australia that Doherty wasn't so steady in the field when failing to hold on at point when Cook was only 26. But in the end it didn't really matter and Doherty then did what a good spinner should by mopping up England's last two wickets. A promising start if not quite something for Simon Cowell to get excited about yet.

KP watch - a cure for dozing on the sofa

A Pietersen innings always borders on the frenetic rather than the calm and this one was no different as he looked to attack both seamers and Doherty alike. It certainly stopped us dozing off on the sofa and to our tired eyes KP looked in fine fettle. But with the ball going soft and the prospect of his first test hundred for an eon there for the taking, Pietersen drove lazily at a good one from Siddle. On this form however,  it can be only a matter of time before KP reaches three figures again.

Player of the day

Cook fought admirably for his 67 and Bell looked in imperious touch once again (maybe he should be moved up the order?), but there can be only one choice here. Siddle, playing his first test since January, was immense and made history. No doubt he will celebrate his six wickets and his 26th birthday with a glass or two of Bollinger (apologies to Dougie).

Zero of the day

It has to be Strauss. The captain who hadn't put a foot wrong all tour chose the most inopportune time to err. As his momentary delay on the crease showed, no-one will know more than Strauss that his dismissal handed the early initiative to the Australians.

What happens next?

For England and the match, hopefully a couple of early wickets - the bowlers could learn from Siddle who took all his wickets by bowling a full length. For Australia, they will be looking to consolidate, avoid the all-too familiar batting collapses that have haunted them of late and unlike England, the batsmen who get good starts will be looking to cash in. At the moment it is advantage Australia and England look up against it. 

Where next?

Other Ashes hat-tricks

Watch Darren Gough's hat-trick at Sydney in 1999

Australia's formidable record at the Gabba

Ashes 100-1: 1 - Ten tips for the Ashes

 
It's been a real labour of love, but today sees the last post of our 100 day Ashes countdown collaboration with our good friends at World Cricket Watch. 100 posts in 100 days - it's been tough at times but on the whole its been enjoyable.

So with less than one day to go until Messrs Strauss and Ponting toss the coin and proceedings get underway at The Gabba, here are our ten tips for the series:

1. Despite England bowling out Australia for 80 at The Gabba to win the 1st Test, the Channel 9 commentary team are scathing in their criticism of Andrew Strauss' supposed negative captaincy

2. In an effort to cure his dodgy back, Michael Clarke gets back together with Lara Bingle. 

3. After scoring his first hundred for 20 months at Adelaide, KP decides that facial hair brings him good luck and by the time of the Sydney Test, he has a beard that would make Hashim Amla and Mohammad Yousuf proud.

4. Mitchell Johnson's first ball of the series goes straight to third slip and back in the Sky studio in London,  a certain Steve Harmison cannot contain his glee. Meanwhile, Mitchell's Mum - never one to shy away from publicity - does a centrefold spread in Playboy Australia.

5. Leading runscorer in the series? Ian Bell. Leading wicket-taker? Ben Hilfenhaus. Most grumpyplayer? Ricky Ponting. Most boring press conference? Michael Clarke every time.

6. At the Christmas Party proceeding the Melbourne Test, the karaoke choices if the players prove pretty telling. Shane Watson opts for 'Mr Vain', Stuart Broad 'You're So Vain', Ricky Ponting 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now', Jonathan Trott and Michael Clarke duet on 'Being Boring'before Kevin Pietersen rounds off proceedings with 'I Am The One and Only'.

7. Michael Hussey and/or Marcus North will be dropped before the end of the series for Usman Khawaja and/or Callum Ferguson.

8. The Australian selectors announce a collaboration with Simon Cowell called Spin Factor so that the public can pick the long-term successor to Shane Warne. After Doherty plays at The Gabba, Smith gets a turn at Adelaide, O'Keefe at Perth and Hauritz at Melbourne before the public pick the wildcard Bryce McGain in a special New Year's Day programme on Channel 9. McGain plays at Sydney and takes eight wickets.

9. Starved of action on the field, Tim Bresnan's weight balloons to 20 stone by the end of the series. Desperate to lose the pounds before the one dayers, he employs Jesse Ryder's fitness instructor. 

10. And the most important tip of all? We go for England to retain the Ashes in an extremely tight series either by virtue of drawing the series 2-2 or by sneaking a 2-1 or 3-2 win.

Let the action begin.

Where next?

Read all the articles of our Ashes 100 day countdown

10 reasons why Australia / England will win the Ashes

Ashes Squad Player Profiles: Australia and England

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin Kings

All-time England Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin King

Ashes 100-1: Who would be in your Ashes Composite XI?

 
As we reach just two days to go until the action starts in Brisbane, David Siddall of World Cricket Watch picks his composite Ashes XI from Thursday's two likely starting line-ups.

The wait is almost over. There’s only two days until the action gets underway in Brisbane and writing 100 Ashes articles in 100 days has been a long and enjoyable slog. There’s not much more to say apart from picking a composite XI as a way to understand which way the series might go. Now that Australia’s ballooning 17 man squad has been trimmed down to a respectable 13, along with England’s almost certain starting lineup, we can decide who we’d have in our dream XI.

1. Andrew Strauss – Arguably the pick of the captains and most definitely in the top two openers both on form and strokeplay.

2. Shane Watson – It could only be Watson with an average over 50 ever since that Edgbaston test and an ability to score at a good rate. A handy 5th bowler in this lineup too.

3. Jonathan Trott – Has cemented the number 3 spot for England with guile and a lot of runs

4. Ricky Ponting – Don’t worry, Punter is just moving down the order. Without a doubt the most talented batsman in either side. Will have to score a lot of runs to leave a legacy untarnished.

5. Michael Clarke – A Test average of 50 and a solid technique that suits Australian conditions. His back might be a concern but he’s a quality batter.

6. Ian Bell – Up against the likes of Hussey and North you might think this one is an easy decision and you’d be right. The big century against Australia A was pure class and that has been the mould of his batting ever since coming back into the side.

7. Matt Prior – Arguably edges Haddin in both glovework and batting.

8. Stuart Broad – He’s the one bowler that Australia seem to fear and he has a belief and ambition greater than the other English bowlers. Conditions will suit him with both bat and ball.

9. Mitchell Johnson – Never has any man been able to win or lose a test match in so short a space of time. But you have to have him in for the X Factor ( worst cliche ever!)

10. Graeme Swann – Most complete spinner in world cricket right now, this one was an absolute no brainer.

11. Ben Hilfenhaus – Australia have strength in depth in the fast bowling stocks but this one was a straight shoot out between Hilf and Bollinger for my money. Ben Hilfenhaus edges it for me.

Can count themselves very unfortunate: James Anderson (in favourable conditions would be up there with Steyn, Zaheer and malinga for best quicks in the world), Kevin Pietersen (2nd most talented batter on display), Dougie Bollinger (will cause England troubles)

So there we have it. The Ashes composite XI comprises of 6 Englishmen and 5 Australians which once again provides us with an indicator of just how close this series is likely to be. Who would you pick?

Where next?

Read all the articles of our Ashes 100 day countdown

10 reasons why Australia / England will win the Ashes

Ashes Squad Player Profiles: Australia and England

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin Kings

All-time England Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin King

Ashes 100-1: 4 - Our tip for the 3 Australians & wildcard to star in the Ashes

 
With just four days to go until the Phoney War ends and the Battle of the Gabba commences in Brisbane, we at the Reverse Sweep are taking a look at the combatants on each side we expect to shine during what promises to be a pulsating series.

Today, we select the three Australians we expect to make a big impression on the series before the climax in Sydney, as well as one wildcard who although not in the final squad for Brisbane could also provide a surprising influence on the battle for the urn.

1. Ricky Ponting

Whichever way you look at it, the Australian captain appears to be in an irreversible decline as a test batsman. For someone who at one time had an astonishingly good record of converting fifties into hundreds, the past two years have proved a humbling experience. Since scoring 123 against India in Bangalore in October 2008, Ponting has only converted three of his last 18 fifties into three figures. Ponting also knows that he is drinking in the last chance saloon as captain – as surely a third Ashes defeat at the helm would not be tolerated by Australian selectors and public alike. But Ponting seems to like having his back against the wall - as he did at the start of the 2006/07 Ashes and looked what happened there. You don’t become the second highest test run-getter ever and hit 39 test centuries without being an exceptional batsman and we are punting on Ponting to deliver the goods over the next five tests – even if it proves to be the last hurrah for one of the all-time great batsmen.

2. Ben Hilfenhaus

Hilfenhaus was the standout bowler on either side during the 2009 Ashes and was deservedly the leading wicket taker with 22 wickets at 27.45 apiece. Unlike the likes of Johnson, Broad and Swann, Hilfenhaus was consistent throughout and his ability at gaining movement in the air and off the wicket troubled all of England’s batsmen. Injuries have restricted him to playing only one home test, but now that he is fully fit we expect him to repeat his achievement in England and be the leading wicket taker on either side again. Whether he gets the support required from his fellow bowlers is another matter.

3. Shane Watson

This one sticks in the throat a bit because for a variety of reasons – some valid and some probably unfathomable, we have taken a bit of a dislike to Mr Vain at the Reverse Sweep. However, his performance as an opener since his return to the side at Edgbaston in the 2009 series have been a revelation – he has scored 1,261 runs in that time at an average of 50.44. Whilst he doesn’t score many hundreds, he invariably gives his side a good and brisk start in tandem with the obdurate Simon Katich. Yes, there are plenty of flaws in his technique – he is a walking LBW and he doesn’t play spin well early in his innings, but as yet his success as an opening batsman is untarnished. Expect that to continue over the course of the series and don’t be surprised to see him take the odd wicket with his innocuous but bizarrely effective medium pace trundlers.

Wildcard: Usman Khawaja

As we’ve written before, Michael Hussey looks shot as a test batsman and we wouldn’t be surprised if despite his double-failure against England for Australia A if Khawaja is brought in to replace Hussey or Marcus North at some point in the series. He would certainly appear to be a class act with an average a touch under 53 and six hundreds already in his 23 first-class matches. If Khawaja does come in, expect the impetuosity of youth (he is only 23) to help him conquer any nerves. And if the selectors are brave they could put Khawaja – who would be the first Muslim to play for Australia -  in at three to allow Ponting to drop down the order.

Where next?

10 reasons why Australia / England will win the Ashes

Ashes Squad Player Profiles: Australia and England

Zeroes: Shane Watson

Ashes 100-1: 7 - Should Australia go in with four quicks at the Gabba?

 
As we reach number seven in our 100 day Ashes countdown, Matthew Wood, the brains behind Balanced Sports urges Australia to think outside the box and consider a four pronged shape for their bowling unit.

By picking three spinners in a squad of seventeen, Australia has shown its hand: they’re going to play a tweaker in the first Ashes Test next week.  Hardly startling news, but it leaves the question: why not play four fast bowlers?  The ‘Gabba traditionally takes pace very well and there is a convincing argument that the best four bowlers in the country (perhaps even the best seven) are speedsters.

Of course there are plenty of very good arguments against fronting up with a four-pronged pace attack: a team needs variety, a team  needs a stock bowler unlikely to break down, the ‘Gabba was Shane Warne’s most preferred ground to bowl at outside the MCG … wasn’t it also one of the harbingers of the apocalypse?  In fact, the arguments for it are probably 90% convincing: There’s no question that a variety of arrows in the quiver of Ricky Ponting makes for a more balanced team and that Australia’s best four quicks are remarkably injury prone.  What’s curious is that no-one’s talking about it even as an option.  There are reasons as to why it isn’t a good idea so why not start looking for reasons as to why it has merit?

It comes down to only one reason.  The first involves the now-obligatory mention of the West Indian sides of the 1970s and 1980s.  The dominant Windies of that era played a pace quartet because it was their best way of taking twenty wickets whether they were at home, in Australia or in spin-friendly India.  Their best seven or eight bowlers were fast men, so they played the top four.  It was only when that top four included Cameron Cuffy and Kenny Benjamin that their reign ended – in order to work, this lineup needs four pacemen of absolute quality.

As Australia’s pace stocks appear healthy with at least six fast men of international quality, why not try it?  The best four would comprise Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger and Peter Siddle, giving you one swing bowler, two honest triers and Johnson’s loose cannon.  It may or may not work, but it is at least worth evaluating.

Most cricket boffins would probably opt for the variety that a spinner brings to an XI and that’s probably for the best.  For the four-pronged pace attack to work, the bowlers involved have to be a class above the spinners they keep out of the side and with Australia that probably isn’t the case.  Succinctly, the increase in class has to be more than the decrease in variation.  That said, the idea shouldn’t be forever consigned to the scrapheap as the Baggy Green continues its search for A-list bowlers.  Perhaps it’s time for Australia, suddenly spoiled for choice with speed-merchants, to at least consider the idea that they aren’t forced by law to play a spinner.

Ashes 100-1: 21 - Australia Ashes Squad Profiles

 
Yesterday we profiled the sixteen hungry men tasked with retaining the Ashes for England on Australian soil. Today, we look at their hosts who will be aiming to win their sixth successive home Ashes series:

Ricky Ponting – A fading force with the bat and a captain on the verge of becoming the first Australian skipper to lose three Ashes series. The next two months are likely to embellish or potentially curtail a fine career.

Michael Clarke – Was arguably the best batsman on either side in the 2009 series, but has looked out of sorts since his much publicised split with Lara Bingle. His press conferences are an unbeatable cure for insomniacs.

Shane Watson– Has proved an unlikely success as an opener - and as such is after Ponting, Australia’s key batsman - but is a walking LBW early on. Innocuous medium pace is more dangerous than it looks – just ask Pakistan’s batsmen.

Simon Katich – As difficult to dislodge as the most plucky of barnacles - until he reaches 80 or 90 that is. Not the prettiest to watch at the crease, which even the man himself acknowledged recently when he said that "I think more people get enjoyment out of watching me bowl than bat".

Michael Hussey – Only averages 34 in his last 28 tests and may be lucky to survive the series especially as Kamran Akmal will not be behind the stumps.

Marcus North – Just when you thought he was out for the count, North sprung back off the canvas (and not for the first time either) with a career saving hundred at Bangalore. That revival does not hide the fact though that North is another unlikely to last the series if Australia make a poor start.

Callum Ferguson – Has a “big chance” of making his test bow at Brisbane according to Tim Nielsen. But a first-class average in the mid-thirties will not have England quaking in their size nines.

Usman Khawaja – Immensely talented New South Wales batsman with a first-class average of 54 who could become the first Muslim to play cricket for Australia.

Phil Hughes – Tagged as the “new Bradman” when he exploded onto the test scene against South Africa in 2009 before being rapidly dispensed with. A first-class average of 60 suggests Hughes is better than his brief appearance in the 2009 series suggested.

Cameron White – Test career has been harmed by the fact that White is a blond Victorian who bowls a bit of leg-spin. An Australian middle-order with White at five would look a much tougher proposition for Strauss and co.

Brad Haddin – An exceptionally good number seven – albeit with a propensity for being over-reckless at times. Not so good with the gloves and his place must be under pressure from the impressive Paine.

Tim Paine – Impressed with bat and gloves in India and is clearly the long-term bet to cement a place in the test side. Will probably be Haddin’s understudy this time, however.

Nathan Hauritz – The nation that brought us Warne, O’Reilly and Grimmett now gives us the impotent Hauritz. In a contest between two evenly matched sides, the disparity between him and Swann could prove crucial in the final reckoning.

Steve Smith – If Australia choose to be adventurous, the young leggie could bat at seven ahead of four pacemen. But they won’t and Smith will start the series on the sidelines. A promising batsman, but significant work would appear to be needed on his bowling.

Xavier Doherty – A first-class average of 50 with the ball suggests his mention in dispatches is perhaps a ploy to wind up that habitual victim of slow-left armers – Kevin Pietersen. If he plays in the series, despite his impressive ODI bow yesterday, we will eat our collection of Wisdens.

Mitchell Johnson – His waywardness may make Harmison look metronomic in comparison, but he has an uncanny ability to take wickets with bad balls and is a different proposition on home pitches. England will underestimate Mummy’s Boy at their peril.

Ben Hilfenhaus – The best bowler on show on either side in the 2009 series is to some extent unproven on Australian wickets at the highest level having only played one of his 13 tests at home. That said, is a good bet to be the leading wicket taker in the series.

Doug Bollinger – The children’s TV lookalike (see Doug Bollinger's moonlighting again) is not as brave as Australian quicks of previous vintageif his absence from the final stages of the Mohali Test is anything to go by. Will test Strauss’ perceived weakness against left-arm new ball bowlers.

Peter Siddle – The man with the white lipstick is a solid if unspectacular performer and his recent injury problems mean he is likely to start the series on the sidelines.

Ryan Harris – A rag to riches tale has seen the late-blooming Harris emerge as an international bowler in the last 12 months. Another with recent injury worries.

Peter George – Innocuous on debut at Bangalore, but his height and natural bounce will be clearly more suited to home wickets should injuries give him an opportunity.

Tim Nielsen (Coach): The man who drew the short straw when taking over from Buchanan. His task of returning his charges to former glories looks a tougher one each day.

Where next?

Check out our full Ashes 100-1 countdown

England fly down under with hopes high

What can England learn from Australia's Indian woes?

 

Ashes 100-1: 23 - What does Australia's T20 defeat to Sri Lanka say about their quality?

Matthew Wood, who also writes at Balanced Sports, reacts to Australia’s T20 defeat by Sri Lanka and considers the bigger picture.

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It goes from bad to worse for Michael Clarke and the Australian one-day unit.  Their performance on the weekend against a good-but-far-from great Sri Lanka outfit offers further proof that the time is ripe for change at the top of Australian cricket.

The Australian team, to be blunt, has gotten too used to winning.  That sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it?  But perhaps not.  Because winning can promote complacency and winning absolutely promotes a fear of change.  How often have you heard the idiom “You don’t change a winning team”?  How often have you heard of sports players who have lucky rituals: goalkeepers touching each bar of their goal frame, an AFL player’s lucky underpants, a cricketer who had to have his bat taped to the ceiling to succeed in an innings?  (In case you’re wondering, those specific examples were Man City’s Shay Given, former Geelong forward Paul Brown and former South Africa batsman Neil McKenzie).

That Australia has gotten too used to winning is a bad thing when really they aren’t a good cricket side.  Only the most cursory of examinations reveals that the current Australian squad – in all forms of the game – lacks a game-breaking bowler and batsmanship of any technique.  The flaws that have plagued Ricky Ponting are still there and Michael Clarke has gone the way of Steve Waugh – paring elements from his game one by one until only the bare minimum still remains.

But still Australia has succeeded.  Perhaps swayed by their 2-1 series win in South Africa, Mitchell Johnson’s misfires are persisted with yet he’s shown no aptitude for thinking a batsman out.  That he hasn’t been able to reproduce that form ever since doesn’t necessarily prove that series a fluke, but it does cast serious doubts over his ability to be a consistent strike man.  The other fast men during that series, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle are honest but probably limited.

Their wins over the past three years don’t smack of an Australian side rebuilding but of a team trying to achieve short-term goals, much like the English side during the 1990s.  In fact, the parallels are so obvious it’s scary.  An ageing batting lineup and bowlers who tend to enter the scene with a bang but then don’t produce consistently conjures memories of Mike Gatting and Dominic Cork holding up the England middle order.  A squad made up this means means you will always win occasional matches, perhaps enough even to think that all is developing at a fair pace.  If those bowlers don’t develop however, the team risks a lack of development and this suggests a lack of any plan for the redevelopment of a nation’s cricket hopes.

(If you’re doubting the comparison of 2010 Australia to 1993 England, take a look at the following batting lineups, man-to-man:  Gooch/Katich, Atherton/Watson, R. Smith/Ponting, Maynard/North, Stewart/Clarke, Thorpe/Hussey.  Notice the similarities?  I thought so.)

Australia’s recent occasional wins – in South Africa, in last year’s Ashes, against poorer opposition – have papered over the cracks to such an extent that we’ve fooled ourselves into thinking that we are gradually rebuilding with a plan.  That’s just not true – we’re trying to build a team on the fly and that doesn’t work.  In order to build anything worthwhile, there must be some pain – just ask anyone who’s refurbished a house.  Though they cost more, the long-term decisions bring the most benefit – wallpaper can hide cracks in a foundation for a while, but the inevitably those foundation flaws devalue whatever it is you’re trying to construct.   Anything the Australian selectors build with just next year in mind is just flock wallpaper – irritating, ineffectual and saying something about the brains behind the operation.

Ashes 100-1: 34 - Australia's and England's "Ever-Dependables"

 
Today as our Ashes countdown reaches 34 (which means we are less than five weeks away from the start of the 1st Test at Brisbane!), David Siddall of World Cricket Watch takes a critical look at the current Australian and English teams and names histhree 'Ever-Dependables" on each side. Do you agree with him?

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Ashes fever is really hotting up in the media. If we were to believe everything we read then we’d be left with no doubt that there are gaping holes in both the Australian and English lineups. We could be forgiven for thinking that neither side has a clue. Only this week Ricky Ponting has questioned the has pointed to rabid frailties in the England batting lineup. Meanwhile Barney Ronay, journalist in the England camp, has written about the current dire state of the Australian lineup. Even the Herald Sun has bagged its own national side.

Doom-saying and over-hyping  seem to be the call of the day when the traditional media starts the bandwagon rolling. In this article however, I’d like to take rather a different tact. Instead of pointing out the seemingly large cracks emerging in each lineup, I’d rather identify 3 players for each team who might be categorised as the “Ever-Dependables”.

Australia’s Ever-Dependables

1. Shane Watson – Has forged a consistent opening partnership with Simon Katich at the top of the order ever since that Edgbaston Test. He has the full range of shots and plunders them at a healthy rate in the Haydenesque mould. Love him or hate him you can’t deny he’s been Mr Reliable.

2. Ricky Ponting – Ok, you can question the captaincy of Ricky Ponting but you surely cannot question his batting even in this, the twilight of his career. Even when he has a supposed slump he manages to get out of ruts with hard fought innings exemplified in  the series just played in India.

3. Ben Hilfenhaus – He has great control, bowls wicket to wicket, gets the ball to nip around a little bit and can bowl all day. Australia’s most consistent bowler in the sub-continent – he was a constant threat.

Almost made it: Katich (has an ave of 33 vs England), Mitchell Johnson (amazing player but surely not “reliable”), Dougie Bollinger (reliable but might not even start come Ashes time).

England’s Ever Dependables

1. Andrew Strauss – Has been England’s most prolific batsmen ever since taking over the captaincy. Dispatches a ball with any width outside the off stump in consummate fashion and is arguably England’s finest stroke-maker in the test format, especially when you consider KP’s slump. His captaincy looks strong and the partnership with Andy Flower has made the English team somewhat formidable.

2. Graeme Swann – What more can you say about Graeme Swann. He’s been a revelation ever since returning to the England side as a matured character.

3. Stuart Broad – Has been a consistent performer for England despite his demeanour not always being appealing to some fans. A combative hungry cricketer who can adapt his bowling to many different conditions. Hopefully he can continue his batting exploits that appeared to have been rekindled in the Pakistan series.

Almost made it: James Anderson (unproven in Australia but a completely different bowler to 2006/07), Matt Prior (valuable runs down the order and glovework improved immeasurably), Steven Finn (consistent and impressive career to date), Jonathan Trott (cemented his place as England’s number 3 with endless concentration).

Where next?

Shane Watson: Makeshift opener or what exactly?

10 reasons to love Graeme Swann

Andrew Strauss' difficult assignment

What can England learn from Australia's Indian woes?

Frankly, the Reverse Sweep is not surprised to see that some sections of the English media are using Australia's test series defeat in India as final proof that the Empire has fallen and that the English hordes led by Andrew Strauss are going to sweep all before them down under this winter.

Certainly, Australia have lost three tests in a row for the first time since 1988 and Ricky Ponting rightfully rued on the glaring chinks in the Australian armoury apparent in the Indian mini-series. These include the brittleness of his batsmen in the second innings, the failure of his seamers to match Zaheer Khan's clever use of reverse swing and the lack of penetration offered by spinner Nathan Hauritz.

But are the English media right to crow? Or should they be more reflective given that a series defeat away to the number one ranked side in the world was hardly a shock? The Reverse Sweep investigates.

There for the taking?

There can be no doubt that the forthcoming series represents England's best chance of winning a series down under since 1986/87. Strauss' side is a settled, talented and confident unit and this is the weakest Australian side in an eon. On the last trip, Australia possessed at least five men  in Ponting, Hayden, Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist who would have walked into a World XI of the time. Now they would arguably have no representatives. But Australia will still be an extremely different proposition in front of home crowds with the Ashes at stake on their own faster and harder wickets. England will have to be on top of their game if they are to emerge victorious and will need their key players Strauss, Pietersen, Swann and Anderson to fire.

Prone to collapse

A few months ago we highlighted Australia's increasingly frequent batting collapses (see article here). Since then they have been bowled out for 88 by Pakistan and now two second innings collapses in India have cost them the series. The opening partnership of Shane Watson and Simon Katich has done remarkably well, but get them out and the Australian middle order is vulnerable. Michael Clarke had a poor series in India and both Mike Hussey and Marcus North have obvious weaknesses that can be exploited. However, England suffered their own share of batting collapses against Pakistan and it could be that the side that papers over the cracks best will win the series.

Is Punter in an irreversible decline?

For a mere mortal batsman, three fifties in four innings in India should signal that you are in good form. But for Ricky Ponting his failure to convert even one of those into a hundred continues a worrying malaise for the man who is still Australia's key batsman. Since scoring a hundred in Bangalore in October 2008,  Ponting has only converted three out of 18 test fifties into tons. For a man with a previously exemplary conversion rate that must be a concern. But if Australia's key batsman is struggling to recapture former glories, what about his counterparts on the England side? In tests in 2010, Pietersen averages under 34 and Strauss under 32, so it would seem that Punter is not the only batsman who would seem to be in decline.

Short in the spin department

This is an area where England hold a huge advantage. Nathan Hauritz's already dubious reputation took a further knock after his performances in India and it would seem that Ponting doesn't entirely trust him. In contrast to the impotent Hauritz, England have Graeme Swann who has taken 65 wickets at 23.72 in 12 tests since last year's Ashes. With this huge differential don't expect to see a traditional Sydney or Adelaide turner though. 

Wayward seamers

Ben Hilfenhaus and one Mitchell Johnson spell apart, the Australian seamers lacked penetration in Mohali and Bangalore and Johnson was extremely wayward on several occasions (no change there then). However, with Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris to come back into the equation, the Australians if anything seem to hold a slight advantage in this area - especially at home. Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett and Stephen Finn would seem well suited to Australian pitches but none have played test cricket there before, whilst there are questions as to whether James Anderson can be effective in conditions not traditionally conducive to swing bowling.

Conclusion

Whilst the English media are right to be confident and correct in their assessment that this is the worst Australian side for over 20 years, they are kidding themselves if they think that Ponting's side is going to just roll over. They won't and we at the Reverse Sweep sees two evenly balanced sides fighting out an extremely close and competitive series, which at this time is too hard to call. If we had to stick our neck out though, we would go for a 2-2 draw, which of course would see England retaining the Ashes.

India vs Australia: 2nd Test: Australia marks out of 10

 
So still no test victory for Ricky Ponting as a captain in India as Australia lost their third test in a row for the first time since 1988 - when they lost the first three matches of a home series to a great West Indies side. 

And yet again it was a dismal second innings batting display that did for them as Australia were dismissed for a paltry 223. Unlike at Mohali they didn't make India work for the win this time as some powderpuff bowling and strange field placings from Ponting saw India canter home by seven wickets.

So with Australia's next test being the first Ashes test at Brisbane on November 25th, how did the XI who played in Bangalore rate on the Reverse Sweep marks out of ten scale?

Shane Watson - 7: Gave both innings impetuous and a good start, but was unable to go on as he did in Mohali. Found some reverse swing on the fourth morning, but doesn't have enough pace to trouble the best batsmen.

Simon Katich - 6: Got starts in both innings but didn't convert in either. However, you just know that he will be a thorn in England's side come the Ashes. Bowled five ineffective overs.

Ricky Ponting - 7: Two scores of 70+ but will be disappointed not to have turned at least one of those into a big hundred. Has now only converted three out of 18 fifties into tons since scoring a century at the same venue in October 2008. Loses a point for some strange bowling changes and field placings, which suggest it is not just Ponting's batting that is on the wane. 

Michael Clarke - 3: Two more failures to cap a barren series for the captain-in-waiting, with the stumping in the second innings being a comically embarrassing dismissal. 35 runs in four innings is simply not good enough for such a fine player.

Mike Hussey - 5: Hit a breezy 34 in the first innings, which contrasted with his dour efforts at Mohali, but was unable to convert two more starts even into a fifty meaning that his four scores in the series ranged from 17 to 34. Will probably survive for the Ashes but for how long after that?

Marcus North - 8: Brave career saving hundred in the first innings - his fifth ton in 19 tests, before reverting to type and getting stuck on his crease in the second. Not guaranteed to survive the whole series with England but full marks for his courage here.

Tim Paine - 7: Looked good with the bat again especially in his first innings partnership with North and was tidy with the gloves. Has given the selectors a difficult decision ahead of the Ashes with Brad Haddin now fit again.

Mitchell Johnson - 5: Bowled reasonably in patches but throws in too many bad and truly awful deliveries for a top-class fast bowler. Could be a different proposition on home pitches though.

Nathan Hauritz - 2: Wasn't helped by Ponting's handling of him, which was bizarre to say the least, but match figures of 51.5-4-229-3 tell their own story. Simply dreadful. England's batsmen must be licking their lips at the prospect of facing such an impotent bowler.

Ben Hilfenhaus - 7: The pick of the Australian attack throughout the series and was particularly unfortunate to only pick up one wicket in the first innings after a skillful and wholehearted effort. The new leader of the Aussie attack and a top-class bowler.

Peter George - 5: Not a pitch to make your debut on as a fast bowler.George didn't carry much threat. But he did okay for one making his bow and was rewarded when a certain Sachin Tendulkar became his first test victim - albeit for 214 - something to tell the grandchildren. 

Where next?

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder

Seven reasons why the Poms love Shane Warne

10 reasons why The Don is the greatest Ashes cricketer of them all

India vs Australia: 1st Test: Australia marks out of 10

A turgid game for three days sprung to life in the final two as conditions suddenly became more difficult for the batsmen (a lesson for the BCCI?) and the finish was truly memorable. Yet again Australia's propensity for batting collapses came back to haunt them as they went from 87 without loss to 192 all out in their second innings.

But despite not being a vintage Australian side, they do not lack grit and competitive spirit and it took a truly wonderful innings from their nemesis VVS Laxman in a magnificent ninth wicket stand with Ishant Sharma to deny Ricky Ponting his first test win as captain on Indian soil.

So how did the Aussies rate?

Shane Watson - 9: Continued his inexplicable success as a test opener with two contrasting innings, with his second test century being a particularly determined effort. Now averages over 50 as an opener - we may have been wrong to doubt Watson, but we still don't like him!

Simon Katich - 6: Failed in the first innings before a typically gritty performance in the second, which epitomised the workmanlike approach of this Australian side.

Ricky Ponting - 7: Won't score many easier fifties than he did in the first innings and will still be furious that he ran himself out. Failed in his second knock to a familiar foe in Sharma. Cut a disconsolate figure at the end.

Michael Clarke - 4: Was out three times for 18 runs if you include the no ball from Sharma in the second innings. A poor match from arguably Australia's best batsman.

Mike Hussey - 5: Occupied the crease for a long time in both innings but strike rate was painfully slow on both occasions. Unlucky to be given out leg before to Harbhajan second time around.

Marcus North - 4: He may have got the prize wicket of Tendulkar, but his test career is hanging by a thread after two disappointing performances with the bat. He may have got a dreadful decision in the second innings but it ended a painful knock where he struggled from first ball to last.

Tim Paine - 8: Desperately unlucky to  miss out on a deserved hundred and kept competently enough for one playing his first test on the sub-continent. If Haddin fails to recover from injury, the gloves are in safe hands.

Mitchell Johnson - 7: A typically inconsistent performance from Mummy's Boy saw a wonderful bowling display in the first innings followed by a wicketless second innings. In between, Johnson showed he can bat with a breezy 47 to add impetuous to Australia's first innings crawl.

Nathan Hauritz - 3: Went for over four runs an over and was horribly impotent throughout. The worst Australian test spinner since Murray Bennett?

Ben Hilfenhaus - 7: Poor with the ball in the first innings but came back well in the second with four wickets that seemed to have handed the momentum to his side. Should do well against England.

Doug Bollinger - 6: Bowled wonderfully on the final morning with his extra lift and three wickets looking like seeing Australia over the line. Didn't come out after lunch because of injury - they obviously don't make Australian fast bowlers like they used to. 'The Demon' Spofforth must be turning in his grave. 

Pakistan vs Australia - Australia marks out of ten & Ashes rating

It is probably not jumping the gun to suggest that the period of Australian cricket supremacy has come to an end. At times it seemed that the era would last as long as the Roman Empire itself, and continuing on that theme the fall of the Green and Gold's could be just as dramatic if the brief tour of England is anything to go by.

For the first time since 1977, an Australian touring side leaves English shores empty handed having lost the Nat West Series to England 3-2, been beaten 2-0 in the Twenty 20 series against Pakistan, and now with defeat at Headingley, only drawn the test series, also with Pakistan, 1-1.

As we outlined last week, the problems facing the declining Australians are stark with only a short two test series in India to go before the first Ashes test in Brisbane at the end of November. Groundhog day batting collapses, impotent new ball bowlers and question marks over a number of players due to injury and form are just some of the problems facing Ricky Ponting and Tim Neilsen.

So, how did the players who faced Pakistan rate on the Reverse Sweep marks out of ten scale? And what are their chances of retaining their place for the Ashes?

Shane Watson - 7 (64 runs, Average 16.00, HS 31. 11 Wickets, Average 10.63, B/B 6/33): Just as Twatto's beginners luck as a test opener seemed to desert him, the Pakistani batsman contrived to hand him two successive five fors. The honours boards at Lord's and Headingley will be hanging their heads in shame. Ashes selection rating - A certainty 

Simon Katich - 7 (187 runs, Average 46.75, HS 83): Is there a worse batsman to watch in test cricket today? Probably not, but what Katich's batting lacks in style he certainly makes up for in effectiveness. England will hope his two failures at Headingley are the start of a trend. Ashes selection rating: A certainty

Ricky Ponting - 5 (98 runs, Average 24.50, HS 61): It is sad to see one of the all-time greats struggling so badly; unless you are an England fan that is. For a time, it looked like Ponting was going to resurrect Australia in the second innings at Headingley with his ultra-competitiveness and typical battling nature. But then he got out to a horrendous shot on the third morning. Could we be nearing the end of Ponting's wonderful test career? Ashes selection rating: A certainty, but should he drop down the order?

Michael Clarke - 6 (139 runs, Average 34.75, HS 77): Like the rest of his colleagues, he looked like a beginner in the first innings at Headingley. But in the rest of the series, Clarke looked what he now is - Australia's premier batsman. May end up as captain of his country within a year unless Australia cure their current malaise. Ashes selection rating: A certainty, but should be move up to three?

Michael Hussey - 5 (69 runs, Average 23.00, HS 56*): In the first innings at Lord's it looked like Mr Cricket was going to continue to be the scourge of Pakistan. But 13 runs in three innings after suggests that Hussey has several chinks in his armour that England should be able to exploit over the winter. Ashes selection rating: Probably safe, but given his age for how long?

Marcus North - 4 (36 runs, Average 9.00, HS 20. BB 6/55): His surprising haul of six for 55 at Lord's should not detract from the fact that North's days as a test cricketer must surely be numbered. There are a number of options the Australian selectors could pursue, but none of them should include North in their Ashes XI. Ashes selection rating: Surely, North is a goner?

Tim Paine - 7 (104 runs, Average 26.00, HS 47): Looked very impressive (and far more assured than Brad Haddin) behind the stumps and looked pretty handy with the bat as well. Amidst the carnage of the first innings at Headingley, Paine stood out like a beacon from the rest, and in the second innings he was doing wonderfully well before being suckered by Kaneira into chasing a wide one. A promising start to his test career. Ashes selection rating: Will only play if Haddin's broken body doesn't mend

Steve Smith - 7 (3 wickets, Average 27.33, BB 3/51. 100 runs, Average 25.00, HS 77): Is clearly not the new Shane Warne despite the hyperbole, but considering his age looks a very promising leg-spinner/batsman. His 77 in the second innings at Headingley was quite brilliant - even more so given it was only Smith's second test - and nearly took Australia to the promised land. Ashes selection rating: May well play, either instead of Hauritz or even as a second spin option/number six in place of North

Mitchell Johnson - 2 (3 wickets, Average 72.33, BB 1/31): The ICC Cricketer of the Year clearly doesn't like playing in England and was to be frank, awful. No wickets and no control with only three victims for 217 and an economy rate of over 4.00 runs per over. And like Stuart Broad, any thoughts of Johnson developing as an all-rounder must surely now be forgotten. If Peter Siddle regains form and fitness, maybe Johnson should be the one to drop out? Ashes selection rating: A certainty for the Gabba, but will he last for the whole series?

Ben Hilfenhaus - 7 (8 wickets, Average 23.75, BB 3/39): Despite lacking some match fitness, Hilfenhaus was the pick of the Australian attack (although that doesn't say much). Didn't look quite as sharp as he did in the Ashes last summer but will be relishing the opportunity to cross swords with Strauss and Cook again at the Gabba. And if his batting continues to improve at the same rate, he could be opening in 18 months time! Ashes selection rating: If fit, a certainty

Doug Bollinger - 5 (5 wickets, Average 36.40, BB 3/51): Lacked penetration with the new Duke ball and will be looking to improve with the Kookaburra back in his hand. Always up for the fight though and bowled well on the last morning at Headingley. Alan Davidson is right to say that Bolly is a better bowler than Johnson. Ashes selection rating: Should be the second seamer on the list after Hilfenhaus