The Reverse Sweep

4th Test: Australia vs India - Australia marks out of 10

Ed Cowan - 5: Got a start in both innings but was unable to go on and fell to spin each time. Took the catch that saw Tendulkar leave the crease for probably the last time in a Test in Australia.

David Warner - 4: There was no repeat of his explosive heroics at Perth as the early introduction of spin troubled him and bogged him down.

Shaun Marsh - 1: More Quicksand than Marsh. Just 17 runs in the series at a hideous average of 2.83 - even Chris Martin (the cricketer or the Coldplay frontman) would be embarrassed with that.

Ricky Ponting - 10: If his hundred at Sydney was redemptive, the double ton here saw Ponting almost back to his brilliant and dismissive best. Many thought he was finished after Cape Town, but 705 runs at 70.5 since then suggests the contrary.

Michael Clarke - 10: A dream end to a dream series for the captain with a double hundred to set alongside his triple hundred at Sydney adding up to 626 runs at 125 for the series where his side have completely steamrollered and whitewashed a feeble opposition.

Mike Hussey - 5: Looked in good touch before being brilliantly run out by Gambhir in the 1st innings and was the victim of a borderline leg before to Sharma second time around.

Brad Haddin - 6: Got some cheap runs off a bruised and battered attack but it can only be a matter of time before iron gloves waves adieu to international cricket.

Peter Siddle - 9: Seems to have benefitted the most from the McDermott effect. Found life on a pitch where there was none, which makes his 1st innings five for all the more impressive. Ended up with 23 wickets at 19 in the series, but his strike rate of a wicket every 32 balls is even more impressive.

Ryan Harris - 8: The best tribute you can pay him is that Australia didn't really miss the bowler he replaced - James Pattinson. The more difficult task is how to keep him fit.

Ben Hilfenhaus - 8: Woefully impotent in last year's Ashes but as dangerous as a rabid dog in this series. Picked up another four wickets to take his series tally to 27 at an average of just 17.

Nathan Lyon - 7: The ultimate rags to riches story. A groundsman for the last Adelaide Test here he bagged an enviable list of victims including Laxman (twice), Sehwag and Tendulkar - all of whom were probably playing their last Test innings in Australia.

Where next?

4th Test: Australia vs India - India marks out of 10

Ricky Ponting proves the doubters (and gladly us) wrong

3rd Test marks out of 10: Australia and India

2nd Test marks out of 10: Australia and India

1st Test marks out of 10: Australia and India

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

3rd Test: Australia vs India - Australia marks out of 10

Ed Cowan - 8: In years to come how many will remember his part in Warner's story? But the way he rotated the strike whilst scoring runs himself was crucial. Looks the perfect foil to Warner and will allow the selectors the luxury of playing Watson down the order when he returns from injury.

David Warner - 10: The joint-fourth fastest Test ton ever and the quickest ever by an opener. What more can you say? Has taken to Test cricket like a duck to water with two contrasting hundreds and an average of 64 after his first five Tests.

Shaun Marsh - 2: Another tentative dismissal and just 14 runs in the series will leave him looking anxiously over his shoulder for the return of Watson. Still looks undercooked after the back injury he suffered in Cape Town.

Ricky Ponting - 3: After two fifties in Melbourne and finally hitting his 40th Test ton in Sydney it was perhaps not a surprise to see him depart for a single figure score here - albeit to a terrific delivery by Yadav. Took three smart catches in the slips.

Michael Clarke - 5: His last dozen Test scores: 112, 151, 2, 11, 2, 139, 22, 0, 31, 1, 329* and 18 here show that the Australian skipper makes the opposition pay if they don't get him early. Will be concerned about being part of another batting collapse but that will pale into insignificance compared to sealing the series already. 

Mike Hussey - 3: When Mr Cricket finally retires he may reflect that becoming Vinay Kumar's first (and probably last) Test victim was his lowest and most embarrassing moment.

Brad Haddin - 1: Comprehensively failed to walk the walk with a three ball duck, which means he only averages 19 with the bat since the start of 2011. With his shoddy work behind the stumps, the end days of Haddin's Test career appear to be nigh.

Peter Siddle - 8: Seems to chip in with three wickets every innings and did do on both occasions here as well as once again contributing useful runs. Has the best strike rate in the series of 33.5 and seems to have finally found his role in the side and in this menacing bowling attack.

Ryan Harris - 8: Bowled much better than his solitary wicket in each innings suggest with others getting the reward for the burly bowler's accuracy and miserly 67 runs scored from his 34 overs. Splayed Dravid's stumps with a beauty in the second innings. 

Mitchell Starc - 7: Another Australian left-arm quick called Mitchell who seems to like bowling at Perth and like his namesake produced some unplayable deliveries such as those that took out Gambhir and Tendulkar second time around. Looked a completely different proposition from the erratic bowler who played his first two Tests late last year against New Zealand. 

Ben Hilfenhaus - 9: Another dominant display from a bowler utterly transformed from the impotent figure of last year's Ashes. Then he took 7 wickets at 59 in the series, now he has 23 wickets at 16 and a strike rate of 35. Phenomenal.

Where next?

3rd Test: Australia vs India - India marks out of 10

2nd Test marks out of 10: Australia and India

1st Test marks out of 10: Australia and India

David Warner blasts a 69-ball hundred as euthanasia becomes a serious option for India

India: Tigers at home; pussies away

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Cricket memories of 2011: Australia are bowled out for 47

It was one of the most memorable and error strewn days of Test cricket ever, but there had been no sign of the carnage to follow prior to lunch when Australia’s 1st innings had ended on 284 and South Africa in reply had moved sedately to 49/1.

Then the cricketing equivalent of the Somme ensued as 19 wickets fell in an avalanche of skilful bowling and woeful batting between lunch and the first hour after tea

First, South Africa capsized to 96 all out with Shane Watson taking five wickets and Ryan Harris four to hand Australia what looked like a decisive lead of 188. But this proved to be the mere hors d’oeuvre.

Australia quickly lost three wickets to be 13 for three by tea and then lost a frantic 6 for 8 on resumption to be a scarcely believable 21 for nine, still five runs short of the lowest Test score ever and 15 short of their own nadir.

Complete embarrassment was averted by the last wicket pair of Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon as they took the score to 47, but the shock it gave Australia and the fillip it provided to South Africa meant that the hosts had no trouble in negotiating a target of 236.

2011 was a case of two steps forward, one step back for Australia. The year started badly with an innings defeat at Sydney handing England a 3-1 Ashes win and continued with a quarter-final exit at the World Cup.

This saw the handing of the baton to a new captain in Michael Clarke, whose adventurous style bodes well. They became the first side to win a Test series in Sri Lanka for four years and but for the aforementioned collapse in Cape Town and a similar if less dramatic one in Hobart could conceivably have beaten South Africa and New Zealand 2-0.

A new core of potential stars has been identified in David Warner, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon and perhaps best of all the 18 year old fast bowler Pat Cummins whilst the likes of Phil Hughes have been discarded.

The 47 all out may be seen in years to come as a turning point or it could just be one dip in the game of snakes and ladders that Australia currently seem embroiled in.

Where next?

Michael Clarke, Lara Bingle and Australia's 47 all out

Australia - The Great Entertainers

The David Warner Experiment

Has Ricky Ponting lost his punch?

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

1st Test: South Africa v Australia - Australia marks out of 10

Shane Watson - 6: A real mixed bag: failed twice with the bat, bowled full and straight to wreak havoc after lunch on day two and then dropped Amla early on the final morning. If Australia see him as an all-rounder then he must drop down the order.

Phil Hughes - 4: A pair of nine's, which in the context of this Test wasn't too bad but how he can picked ahead of Simon Katich beggars belief.

Shaun Marsh - 6: Showed real doggedness first time around in his key partnership with Clarke and then got just what you wouldn't want with a bad back in the second innings - one that kept low. None of the blame for this fiasco should be laid at the feet of Marsh.

Ricky Ponting - 2: Forget the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, Ponting's fall from grace seems to be even more dramatic. He missed two straight ones to be leg before in both innings and John Inverarity has his first really big decision to make.

Michael Clarke - 8: The skipper didn't deserve to be presiding over this disaster after hitting the best hundred of his career on day one. Fronted up with bravery and honesty in the post-match conferences.

Mike Hussey - 1: Just one run and his loose shot to be dismissed in the second innings was not becoming of such an experienced player. Dropping Amla off the final ball of the second day capped off a poor match for Mr Cricket.

Brad Haddin - 0: If prison sentences were handed out for reckless and wanton batting then Haddin would surely be incarcerated for his diabolical dismissal in the second innings. Matthew Wade or Tim Paine can expect to be handed the gloves very soon.

Mitchell Johnson - 2: So the nine wickets in the warm-up match proved a false dawn as in a match dominated by bowlers, Johnson only had the consolation wicket of Amla in 16 overs that cost 87 runs. How long can Australia afford to persevere with him?

Ryan Harris - 6: Bowled wonderfully well in the first innings in conditions and a pitch that suited him, but was disappointing second time around when he offered plenty of opportunities to Amla and Smith to reach the boundary.

Peter Siddle - 5: There's no doubting Siddle's competitiveness as ably demonstrated by his batting in both innings, but question marks over his quality as a Test match bowler still exist and were not answered here. 

Nathan Lyon - 4: Only got three overs with the ball, but his contribution in saving Australia from total ignominy and the lowest ever Test score will never be forgotten. Will hope that this is the first and last time he top scores in a Test innings.

Where next?

1st Test: South Africa v Australia - South Africa marks out of 10

Michael Clarke, Lara Bingle and Australia's 47 all out

Dale Steyn's place in the cricketing pantheon alongside Sachin Tendulkar

Dale Steyn's duel with Michael Clarke

Cricket Zeroes: Mitchell Johnson

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Ashes 2010/11: Australia series marks out of 10

 
Australia's selectors confusingly named a 17 man squad prior to the Brisbane Test, so it is perhaps fitting that 17 men - not the same 17 mind - were eventually used throughout the series. Here are how they rated:

Shane Watson - 6 (5 Tests, 435 runs at 48.33, HS 95; 3 wickets at 74.33, BB 1/30): 435 runs and four fifties wouldn't normally be a bad series return especially in a well-beaten side, but Watson's failure to go on to record even one big score after getting to 36 eight times demonstrated that he is still a lower-middle order batsman desperately trying to be an opener. Doesn't rotate the strike enough, although maybe his abysmal running between the wickets has something to do with that after being involved in three catastrophic run-outs in the series. A reluctant bowler.

Simon Katich - 4 (2 Tests, 97 runs at 24.25, HS 50): Probably has the same low opinion of Shane Watson as us after being run out without facing a ball in the batting paradise of Adelaide. Started the series with a typically gritty 50 and ended it prematurely in Adelaide on one leg bravely refusing a runner. Australia missed his battling qualities thereafter, but with a team to reconstruct it is unlikely that the 35 year old will wear the Baggy Green again.

Phillip Hughes - 3 (3 Tests, 97 runs at 16.16, HS 31): Looked all at sea when he came in at Perth especially against Tremlett, but improved steadily match by match. However, a top score of 31 in three Tests is not good enough for an opening batsman and he would appear to have so many technical deficiencies that one wonders whether he will ever make a successful test batsman. Another sold down the river by Watson's keystone cops running, but he served his revenge cold in the second innings at Sydney.

Ricky Ponting - 2 (4 Tests, 113 runs at 16.14, HS 51*): Could it have been any worse for Ponting? Became the first Australian skipper to preside over three Ashes reverses since Billy Murdoch - when Queen Victoria was on the throne. Then there was his batting, where he made less runs in the series than Siddle and Johnson. Finally, his epitaph as captain - and maybe even as a test player - was the unseemly incident with the umpires at Melbourne. A broken finger is the least of his problems. 

Usman Khawaja - 6 (1 Test, 58 runs at 29.00, HS 37): Came in for his debut Test at Sydney with an increasingly desperate Australian press hyping him so much we were expecting the new Brian Lara. Khawaja did reasonably well though, dismissively pulling his second delivery in test cricket for four and generally looking composed and relaxed at the crease. Expect to see much more of him in the Baggy Green.

Michael Clarke - 4 (5 Tests, 193 runs at 21.44, HS 80): With Ponting's form deserting him, it was up to the vice-captain to step up to the plate. Clarke failed dismally and was guilty of a number of careless dismissals - especially getting out to Pietersen in Adelaide after his one decent knock of the series. Became Australia's 43rd Test captain at Sydney and quickly found that Lara Bingle was easy to manage in comparison. Is Clarke the tough character required to lead the rebuilding project? We're not so sure.

Michael Hussey - 9 (5 Tests, 570 runs at 63.33, HS 195): Came into the series with the axe hovering over his head, but emerged as Australia's best performer. Batted like Superman at Brisbane and Perth and fully deserved his two centuries. And for three Tests he stood almost alone of Australia's top six in facing down the England attack. Faded at Melbourne and Sydney after the effects of the kryptonite wore off, but that should not detract too much from a fine series for Mr Cricket.

Marcus North - 2 (2 Tests, 49 runs at 16.33; 1 wicket at 110.00): Started the series with his head in the noose and was hung out to dry after the heavy defeat in Adelaide. Australia's best spinner in Brisbane and Adelaide - not that there was much competition, but looked all at sea with the bat especially against Swann. Another unlikely to don the Baggy Green again.

Steve Smith - 4 (3 Tests, 159 runs at 31.80, HS 54*; no wickets): Ridiculously picked as a number six by the increasingly erratic Australian selectors at Perth, Smith was clearly out of his depth. His leg-spin showed some promise, but he picked up no wickets and went at four and a half runs an over. He is not yet ready for test cricket with either bat or ball, although he certainly has some pluck as evidenced by his fifty on the final day of the series.

Brad Haddin - 7 (360 runs at 45.00, HS 136): Started off the series like a train with a brilliant century at The Gabba, which as part of his 300 partnership with Hussey seemed to have put Australia in control. Increasingly became derailed as the series wore on with careless dismissals and some none-too-pretty work with the gloves. How long will Haddin be able to fend off the challenge of young pretender Tim Paine?

Mitchell Johnson - 4 (15 wickets at 36.93, BB 6/38; 122 runs at 17.42, HS 62): The ultimate hit or miss cricketer. Atrocious in Brisbane, dropped for Adelaide, the matchwinner in Perth, poor in Melbourne and indifferent in Sydney. Bowled plenty of tripe and went at over four an over during the series, but when he gets it right - as he did in Perth - Johnson is unplayable and therein lies the paradox. Also blew hot and cold with the bat with two fifties and three ducks.

Ryan Harris - 6 (3 Tests, 11 wickets at 25.54, BB 6/47; 14 runs at 3.50, HS 10*): Came in at Adelaide and bagged a king pair, but was Australia's best (make that only) bowler without getting much reward. Cashed in at Perth with nine wickets, before going wicketless at Melbourne and picking up a stress fracture. Has the pace, ability and heart to make a return to the test side, but perhaps not the body.

Peter Siddle - 6.5 (5 Tests, 14 wickets at 34.57, BB 6/54; 154 runs at 19.25, HS 43): Started off the series with a bang at Brisbane with a hat-trick and six wickets, and then took another six for in his home test at the MCG. But only two other wickets in the other five innings he bowled in smacks of inconsistency and it is interesting that he was successful when bowling a slightly fuller length. Probably didn't expect to score more runs and have a better average than Ponting, but looks to have some promise with the bat. One for the Australian selectors to persevere with. 

Ben Hilfenhaus - 2 (4 Tests, 7 wickets at 59.28, BB 3/121; 55 runs at 11.00, HS 34): Was our tip as leading wicket-taker before the series but proceeded to bowl like a bowling machine stuck in one delivery. He had only played one test in Australia prior to the series and it transpired that he was a shadow of the bowler who did so well in the 2009 Ashes. Needs to watch religiously a DVD of how James Anderson bowled.

Doug Bollinger - 1 (1 Test, BB 1/130, 7 runs): Was full of talk before the series about how he was going to let Pietersen's ego get him out, but as plans go it was up there with playing russian roulette with a fully loaded gun given KP's double hundred. Went at 4.5 runs per over, showed poor fitness levels, and made Watson's body language look positive. Unsurprisingly, the selectors decided the champagne was flat after just the one test. 

Xavier Doherty - 1 (2 Tests, 3 wickets at 102, BB 2/41; 27 runs at 9.00): Plucked from nowhere by Australia's erratic selectors to replace Nathan Hauritz and started well with 2/41 in the 1st innings at Brisbane. The wheels fell off after that though with Doherty looking every inch what he was - a bowler with a first-class average of over 50. Went at over five an over in Adelaide, but did do what he was brought into the side for by getting Pietersen out - for 227!

Michael Beer - 2 (1 Test, 1 wicket at 112; 4 runs at 4.00): Was surprisingly picked in the squad for Perth after only a handful of first-class matches and was finally handed a debut at Sydney. Looked a better bet than Doherty, but the moment that he over-stepped and handed Cook a reprieve proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Australia. Did enough though to suggest that he may get another chance.

Where next?

1st Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

2nd Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

3rd Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

4th Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

5th Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

The Curious Case of Nathan Hauritz

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

Read KP's Ashes Diary exclusively at the Reverse Sweep

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

5th Test: Sydney - Preview: England look to give Clarke baptism of fire

 
Mission Australia is almost accomplished. The Ashes have been retained, but the series is not yet won and England will be intent on securing the victory that will earn the 3-1 scoreline that their dominance throughout the series both deserves and demands.

England's stated intention is to become the number one side in the world. There is still someway to go until they are even close to achieving that - winning in India for example - but a series win in Australia would be a good start. Extra incentive could be provided by last year's series in South Africa when England went into the final match of the series in Johannesburg 1-0 up. They were then blown away by Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and returned home with a creditable share of the spoils rather than a glorious scalp. 

The pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground traditionally favours spin and swing, so Graeme Swann will look to reprise the leading role he played in the second innings of the crushing win in Adelaide. Swing King James Anderson too will be licking his lips - as will Mitchell Johnson if the radar has returned - at the prospect of embellishing his position as the leading wicket-taker in the series.

For Australia, the match has the appearance of a new chapter with Michael Clarke taking over from the injured Ricky Ponting to become Australia's 43rd Test captain - a position that has the same profile and pressure down under as the manager of the nation's football team does in England. There will be debuts too for Usman Khawaja - the first muslim to play for Australia - and Michael Beer, who will play his 8th first-class match and his first at the SCG.

Likely line-ups

England are likely to be unchanged with Tim Bresnan retaining his place ahead of the rested Steven Finn and Paul Collingwood playing what could prove to be his final test unless he can rediscover his mojo with the bat.

Khawaja will likely replace Ponting at number three - although it would be a real statement of intent for Clarke to take this pivotal role, whilst Beer will replace the injured Ryan Harris. Doug Bollinger will likely be 12th man, giving Ben Hilfenhaus another opportunity to get amongst the wickets. 

Look out for...

Michael Clarke has had just as a poor series with the bat as his erstwhile captain with just 148 runs at 21.14, and his previous silky technique seems to have deserted him. Indeed, his stats in his last 8 Tests are 322 runs at 21.46. So will the extra pressure of the captaincy provide renewal or further pain?  

Graeme Swann has had a solid rather than spectacular series. Poor in Brisbane and Perth, but impressive in Adelaide and Melbourne. The SCG pitch should suit him, so a match-winning performance here would be no real surprise.  

Previously at Sydney

They've been playing test cricket at the SCG since 1882 and England have a good record at the ground with 21 wins to Australia's 25 with 7 draws.

2007 - Australia won by 10 wickets- Warne, McGrath and Langer's grand finale as Australia walloped a shellshocked England to confirm the first Ashes whitewash since 1920/21.

2003 - England won by 225 runs- In a match perhaps best remembered for Steve Waugh's emotional hundred, England prevented a series whitewash with Mark Butcher's hundred in the first innings and Michael Vaughan's sparkling 183 - his third ton of the series - in the second, helping set Australia a stiff target of 452. Andy Caddick then took seven wickets - ten in the match - in his final test to let England bow out of a tough series on a high.

1999 - Australia won by 98 runs- England went into the final test of the series knowing that a win would enable them to square the series. But despite a hat-trick from Darren Gough on day 1, the luck deserted England when the third umpire controversially adjudged that Michael Slater had not been run out for 35 in Australia's second innings. Slater went on to make a brilliant 123 out of 184 and the target of 287 proved too much for Alec Stewart's side.

1995 - Match drawn - A potentially famous victory for England was ruined by the weather. Michael Atherton, John Crawley and Gough all hit half-centuries as England hit 309 batting first, before they shot out Australia for just 116 - they were 65/8 at one point. Atherton then declared with Graeme Hick two runs short of a hundred, but the weather, hundreds from Mark Taylor and Slater and stern resistance down the order enabled Australia to escape with the draw.

Prediction

In Australia's favour is their imposing recent record at the SCG - 14 wins in their last 16 matches including the remarkable turnaround against Pakistan last year. Indeed, England (in 2003 - see above) are the only opponents to win at the venue during this time.  However, as we've seen during the series, this Australian team is a shadow of its immediate predecessors and if England retain their focus, they should secure a comfortable win to take the series 3-1.

Where next?

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

The best and worst Test XIs of 2010

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

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

1st Test: England marks out of 10, 1st Test: Australia marks out of 10

2nd Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

3rd Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

4th Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

4th Test - Melbourne: Australia marks out of 10

 
The wheels came off in startling fashion for Australia at their supposed Melbourne stronghold. All out for 98, Ricky Ponting remonstrating with the umpires and defeat by an innings and 157 runs - their third worst Ashes defeat ever on home soil. It will be interesting to see where the beleaguered selectors go for Sydney.

Here's how the well-beaten Aussies rated:

Shane Watson - 5: Dropped twice before finally departing for a sorry 5 in the 1st innings. Scored yet another unconverted fifty second time around. Openers are supposed to score tons and Watson needs to work on this, his dreadful running between the wickets, poor body language and serious misjudgements such as his inexplicable decision to leave that straight one from Bresnan.

Phil Hughes - 4: Did the hard work of playing himself in both times, but failed to go on. He only had himself to blame first time around, but was sold down the river by the self-obsessed Watson for a crazy run out on day 3. There is talk of Katich returning for Sydney, if so will Hughes get another chance?

Ricky Ponting - 3: Will be wishing that his finger injury had ruled him out. Lost the toss, lost his wicket cheaply twice and then lost his marbles with the umpires. His position as captain and number three batsman is now under threat.  Has probably been Australia's best batsman since Bradman, but now looks a shadow of his former self. The end of days are nigh for Punter.

Michael Clarke - 3: Two more failures for the supposed heir to Ponting and he fell meekly both times. As Samson when he lost his hair, Clarke's loss of Lara Bingle seems to have deprived him of all vestiges of his strengths. Disappointing against Pakistan in the summer, disappointing in India and now woeful against England. The next-in-line to the throne could yet be usurped.

Mike Hussey - 2: His Atlas-like heroics had to finish somewhere and they certainly ended here with scores of 8 and 0. But Hussey is one of the few that should be spared from the mountain of criticism that will be levied at Australia after their meek surrender here.

Steve Smith - 4: On this showing he is not good enough to bat at six or bowl leg-spin in test cricket. The selectors asked the impossible of a promising 21 year old and unsurprisingly he has failed to deliver even if he obviously has a bit of ticker.

Brad Haddin - 7: Gave it away like everyone else in the 1st innings, but at least made England wait for the inevitable on the final morning. How Haddin can be placed below Smith in the order is one of the mysteries of the series. As an archetypal tough and gritty Aussie, could be a decent choice as an interim captain.

Mitchell Johnson - 3: He didn't quite sink to the depths of Brisbane, but his first spell on Boxing Day was woeful. If every test match Australia played was at the WACA, then Johnson would be the best bowler in the world, but in the real world the ultimate mummy's boy is more of a flop than the top gun.

Ryan Harris - 4: No wickets and a dreadful break for the wholehearted Harris with a stress fracture ruling him out of the World Cup. Has the talent and heart, but perhaps not the fitness to make a test comeback. 

Peter Siddle - 8: It was no fault of Siddle that Australia flopped so badly on his home ground. Took his second six for of the series to prove that he could walk the walk after talking the talk in the run-up to the match. Breezy test best of 40 made England wait a while on the final morning.

Ben Hilfenhaus - 3: Our tip as the leading wicket-taker in the series has bombed badly. He may be tidy and economical, but there is a serious lack of variety and the England batsmen have been able to play him with relative ease. At least doubled his tally for the series with the wickets of Swann and Tremlett on day 3. 

Where next?

Day 4 @ Melbourne: Ashes retained as England end 24 years of hurt

Day 3 @ Melbourne: England on the brink as revolution looms down under

Day 2 @ Melbourne: Trott so hot as Ponting boils over

Day 1 @ Melbourne: Ponting's Turkeys are stuffed on Boxing Day

1st Test: England marks out of 10, 1st Test: Australia marks out of 10

2nd Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

3rd Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes: featuring Shane Watson, Graham Gooch, Justin Langer and Matt Hayden amongst others

Read KP's Ashes Diary exclusively at the Reverse Sweep

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

The Boundary View: England on the brink as revolution looms down under - Melbourne, Day Three

 
Off with their heads?

Ricky Ponting's reign as Australian captain is starting to presage the last days of Louis XVI of France. Revolution is nigh with the likes of Steve Waugh promoting Tim Paine as a young, fresh captain to lead the rebuilding effort. After his temper tantrum of yesterday, Ponting was desperate to finally make his mark on the series with the bat. Alas it was not to be and after struggling to 20 off 73 balls, Ponting got a fatal inside edge to precipitate the dreaded death rattle. Ponting's nominated heir Michael Clarke fared little better with Graeme Swann inducing an edge to second slip after another scratchy innings from the vice-captain. Australia needed Ponting and Clarke to come to the party this series and both have failed dismally - Ponting has 113 runs at 16 and Clarke 148 at 21. Louis lost his head at the guillotine - will Ponting and Clarke be decpitated leaders too?

Not bad for a fat lad

When we completed our England Ashes Squad - Player Profilesbefore the series, we suggested that the selection of Tim Bresnan could be explained as thus: "When a group of Englishmen go abroad, there is normally one fat lad in their number...even if he won't see much action" We're always happy to be proved wrong and after playing a miserly support role in the 1st innings, the larger than life Yorkshireman was the main attraction today getting Watson, Ponting and Hussey in the space of 18 balls. Bresnan has bowled surprisingly well in this Test - being parsimonious, accurate and quick in equal measure - and fully justifying his selection ahead of Steve Finn. Not bad for a fat lad, indeed.

The Incredible Sulk 

If an Australian batsmen needs a runner, it's safe to assume that Shane Watson won't be top of the list. As at Adelaide, when a furious Simon Katich was left stranded by an optimistic call, so Phillip Hughes was sold short by the self-obsessed Watson here in Melbourne. He then compounded his mistake by inexplicably leaving a straight one from Bresnan to be trapped in front - once again failing to convert a 50 into three figures. The body language on both occasions from the sulky Watson was absolutely dreadful and it was a surprise that he didn't try and take the stumps with him and burst into tears as he slouched off the ground.

Joy, despair and relief

Cricket is a game of vastly varying emotions and this was epitomised in the contrasting fortunes today of Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris and Ben Hilfenhaus. There was  joy for Siddle as he took a much deserved second six for of the series on his home ground. But for Harris there was only despair as his injury curse came back to haunt him, pulling up lame in his fourth over of the day due to what was later revealed to be a stress fracture in his left foot. Whilst for Hilfenhaus there was just relief after he doubled his wicket tally for the series to four in a ten minute spell that saw him account for Swann and Tremlett - relief for us at the Reverse Sweep too as we had Hilfenhaus down as the leading wicket taker in the series. Oh dear!  - see Australia Ashes Squad: Player Profiles.

Second to Bradman

Jonathan Trott may have been left high and dry on 168 by England's late order collapse in the first session of the day, but his disappointment at not being able to complete a double hundred may have been lessened statistically at least by his not out. Of those batsmen who have completed 20 or more test innings, Trott now stands second on the list - behind some bloke called Bradman - with an average of exactly 64 - see full list. 

Player of the day

All the England bowlers performed well, but it was Tim Bresnan who played the starring role with three quickfire wickets after tea - any thoughts of a miraculous Australian escape went with it.

Zero of the day

He may have scored a fifty, but for running out his opening partner and then causing a mini-collapse with his ridiculous leave, Shane Watson takes the honours here. If he has any pretensions of being a future captain (and Australians must spit into their tasteless beer at the propsect of that) then he has to improve his body language tenfold. 

What happens next?

What else? England to retain the Ashes some time either side of lunch tomorrow. Arise Sir Andrew of Strauss - who seems set to join an exclusive club of Middlesex players to captain England to Ashes success in Australia. If the inevitable happens, Strauss will follow in the footsteps of Pelham Warner, Mike Brearley and Mike Gatting.

Where next?

Day 2 @ Melbourne: Trott so hot as Ponting boils over

Day 1 @ Melbourne: Ponting's Turkeys are stuffed on Boxing Day

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes: featuring Douglas Jardine, David Gower, Dennis Lillee and Hedley Verity amongst others

Read KP's Ashes Diary exclusively at the Reverse Sweep

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

4th Test: Melbourne - Preview: Can England reprise glory of 1986?

 
The last time England retained the Ashes down under was in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne in 1986 when they crushed Australia by an innings and 14 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. With the debacle at Perth now behind them, Andrew Strauss' side has a second opportunity to retain the urn at the same Melbourne Cricket Ground over the coming days.

In the lead-up to the 4th test there has been much speculation about the late switch to a much greener looking pitch, which has given hope to Australians that Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris will find a similarly helpful, fast and bouncy wicket to the one that suited them so much at Perth. This is probably wishful thinking on behalf of the home side and the usual slow Melbourne pitch is a much more likely proposition.

This means that Australia will have to think hard about the make-up of their side. Do they risk going in again with four specialist quicks and the part-time spin of Steve Smith? Or do they hand Michael Beer a test debut in place of either Peter Siddle or Ben Hilfenhaus? Dropping the former would mean that Australia would lose its chief snarler in what appeared to be a new 'in your face' approach in Perth.

England also have decisions to make as to the make-up of the bowling attack, although Andy Flower confirmed earlier this week that they will stick to their four-man bowler approach in the absence of a world-class all-rounder. This is no surprise especially as Matt Prior isn't in the form to justify an elevation to number six.

Likely line-ups

England are likely to be unchanged although Tim Bresnan or Ajmal Shahzad may come in for Steve Finn if the latter is deemed to need a rest by the England management. other than that the only change could be Ian Bell being promoted to five ahead of Paul Collingwood.

For Australia, Ricky Ponting is almost certain to play despite a broken little finger and surely they won't repeat their error of The Oval 2009 by going in without a specialist spinner? If Beer does get the nod, expect Siddle to be the one carrying the drinks. Australia also has the option of bolstering the batting by playing Ponting's stand-by Usman Khawaja instead of Smith at number six.

Look out for…

We tipped Kevin Pietersen to end his long quest for a century in our preview of the Adelaide Test and despite crashing back down to earth in Perth, we fully expect him to reach three figures here again in Melbourne.

Ricky Ponting is too great a batsman not to stamp his influence on this series and despite his broken digit and poor run of scores, we would be very surprised if he doesn't make a significant score on the biggest of stages.

Finally, Graeme Swann had a quiet game in Perth after his seven wickets in Adelaide, but the surface at the MCG is likely to suit him better and we wouldn't be surprised to see him star in the 2nd innings. Australia may come to regret not picking their best spinner - the in-form Nathan Hauritz instead of the untried Beer.

Previously at Melbourne

Scene of the first ever Test match in 1877, there have been 53 encounters between England and Australia at the cavernous Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia has the advantage with 27 wins to England’s 19 and perhaps a clue to the outcome of the 2010 edition is that there have only been 7 draws.

2006 – Australia won by an innings and 99 – England suffered a Boxing Day hangover as they were bundled out for just 159 with Warne taking his 700^th Test wicket. England struck back by reducing Australia to 84/5 before Hayden and Symonds both reached 150. England then capitulated for a second time for 161 for yet another woeful defeat on the most dispiriting of tours.

2002 – Australia won by five wickets – Justin Langer hit 250 as Australia amassed a powerful 551/6 and then England only managed 20 more runs than Langer made on his own. They did better after following on with Michael Vaughan scoring a sparkling 145 as England at least set Australia a target. They then restored further pride by taking five wickets as Australia stumbled over the winning line.

1998 – England won by 12 runs – A pulsating test match with a dramatic climax. Rain ruined day one but Alec Stewart scored a captain’s hundred as England made 270. Steve Waugh (122) then masterminded runs from the tail as Australia led by 70. And when England could only make 244 in their second innings and Australia reached 130/3 in pursuit of 162 all seemed lost. Step forward Dean Headley – who engineered a spectacular collapse and a famous England win.

1986 – England won by an innings and 14 – Mike Gatting’s side secured the retention of the urn with a crushing victory in the Boxing Day Test. Gladstone Small and Ian Botham took five apiece as Australia could only muster 141. Then Chris Broad’s third successive hundred provided the bedrock of England’s 208 1^st innings lead. Phil Edmonds and John Emburey then spun England to victory.

1982 – England won by 3 runs – The forerunner to Edgbaston 2005. An extremely tight match saw all four innings total between 284 and 294. When Australia were 218 for nine chasing 292 all looked lost for the home side. But Border and Thomson took them to within sight of the finishing line before that man Botham struck inducing an edge from Thomson that Tavare parried into the hands of a grateful Miller.

Prediction

If the weather holds true then the MCG is a result wicket and we fully expect England to win a tight encounter and therefore retain the Ashes with the final test in Sydney still to come.

Where next?

Dear Santa...

Read KP's Ashes Diary exclusively at the Reverse Sweep

Dean Headley's 15 minutes of fame

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

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

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

3rd Test - Perth: Australia marks out of 10

 
The worst Australian side for 25 years? Maybe not. The batting of Michael Hussey and Shane Watson and the bowling of Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris inspired Australia to bounce back from heavy defeat in Adelaide to dish out some of the same medicine to England in Perth.

With momentum now with them, can Australia continue their stunning revival to wrest the Ashes back? We shall see. For now, here's how they rated in Perth (see how England rated here): 

Shane Watson – 8: No-one does the nervous nineties like Watson and it was no surprise that he fell short of three figures again. But his partnership with Hussey took the game away from England and he was particularly harsh on Finn – just like he said he would be before the series started.

Phil Hughes – 3: Has had a poor season for New South Wales and had a poor match here. May not be as susceptible to the short ball as many suggest, but at the moment there is a multitude of other ways to get him out.

Ricky Ponting – 6: His nightmare with the bat continued, but he fought for a four-man pace attack with the selectors and having got his wish, Ponting duly fired them up and rotated them to thrilling effect - hence the inflated score of 6. He may have a broken digit, but one suspects that Ponting would want to play at the MCG with a broken leg now that the momentum has shifted so dramatically.

Michael Clarke – 3: Two more failures and two more dreadful shots. If Ponting is ruled out for Melbourne, is Clarke in the right state of mind to lead the side?

Michael Hussey – 10: Hussey’s second coming continued. He knew the WACA pitch better than any of the other batters, and boy did it show. Hussey, as much as Johnson, was the difference between the sides.

Steve Smith – 5: His second innings 38 may have made him the luckiest Australian since Liz Hurley invited Shane Warne in for a nightcap, but Smith deserves credit for showing plenty of ticker. Patently not a test number six – a weakness that England will seek to exploit to better effect in Melbourne.

Brad Haddin – 7: Another fifty to continue his rich vein of form with the bat, a running battle with the Barmy Army and for once a pretty much faultless display with the gloves. Really gets under the skin of some England players.

Mitchell Johnson – 10: The most dramatic rise from the dead in circa 2000 years. Johnson’s spell of four for seven in the 1^st innings changed the course of this test and potentially the Ashes too. Also showed that he can be dangerous with the bat by top-scoring in the 1^st innings. From a 0/10 at Brisbane to 10/10 at Perth – and they say that football is a funny old game.

Ryan Harris – 9: As hopeless as he would appear to be with the bat, Harris has proved to be extremely effective with the ball. He bowled well in Adelaide with little reward or support, but he got both here and nine wickets to boot.

Peter Siddle – 6: Only played a bit–part role here, but what he did, he did well. Got a priceless unbeaten 35 with the bat and then bowled bodyline to first unsettle and then dismiss Prior. Our money’s on Siddle if he takes up Prior’s offer of a re-match in the boxing ring.

Ben Hilfenhaus – 6: Finally got his first wicket since the first over of the series by getting KP to edge to slip in the second innings. Bowled better than his figures suggested and provided the control that enabled others to get the rewards. Why was he dropped for Adelaide again?

Where next?

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

1st Test: England marks out of 10, 1st Test: Australia marks out of 10

2nd Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

The Boundary View: Harris burst speeds England's demise - Perth, Day Four

 
England's Achilles Heel?

So Perth 2010 joins Johannesburg 2010 and Headingley 2009 as stains on the record of the otherwise excellent Strauss-Flower axis at the helm of the England cricket side. Worryingly, all three pitches offered the bowlers pace and bounce, and England’s batsmen succumbed each time. Has England’s Achilles Heel been found? Ricky Ponting thought so before the match and his hopes were emphatically confirmed here. Hardly a surprise then that rumours abound of a late change to the pitch that will be used for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. One thing’s for sure – it won’t be a raging turner.

Happy Birthday

His broken digit may have kept him off the field, but Ponting got the perfect 36^th birthday present as his bowlers mopped up the rest of the English wickets with lightning speed. Ponting said afterwards that he got the XI he wanted here with four quicks, but if he is fit for Melbourne will he and the selectors make the same mistake they did at The Oval last summer – or will Australia’s best spinner Nathan Hauritz (who hit another hundred for New South Wales today) finally get a call? If so and facing what would seem to be a well-balanced and newly confident attack, England may find Australia’s momentum difficult to stop.

Time for a promotion for Bell

He may have only made 16 today, but yet again Ian Bell looked in prime form. Despite the top four all having scored at least one hundred in the series, none of them have looked in better touch than England’s number six. Paul Collingwood on the other hand has a top score of 42 in the series and is in the midst of a poor run. As David Lloyd commented on Sky, it’s not a sign of panic to promote Bell to five and drop Colly to six. Indeed, it is just common sense.

Player of the day

Ryan Harris – He bowled well with little reward or support at Adelaide, but his four wickets today gave him six in the innings and nine in the match. Talk about a late bloomer.

Zero of the day

Matt Prior – There wasn’t much time for a definitive zero as things were over in just a flash, but Prior confirmed the impression from his first innings knock that he is struggling with the bat at the moment. Brad Haddin is winning the battle of the keeper-batsmen hands down so far.

Prospects for Melbourne

It’s all set up nicely at 1-1 with two tests to go. England’s supporters were kidding themselves if they thought this series was going to be a cakewalk – and we’ve been as guilty of that as anyone. Australia now have the momentum, but Ponting and Clarke are still out of touch so this series threatens to go right down to the wire. Our pre-series prediction of 2-2 is suddenly looking good again.

Where next?

Perth: Day 1 - Tremlett's Sinatraesque Comeback

Perth: Day 2 - Johnson's rendition of I Am the Resurrection reduces England to rubble

Perth: Day 3 - Hussey & bowlers put England to the sword

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

Perth Heroes & Zeroes: Adam Gilchrist,  Alex Tudor and Chris Broad

Exclusive: Read KP's 2010 Ashes Diary

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

The Boundary View: Hussey & bowlers put England to the sword - Perth, Day Three

 
Hussey serves up more humble pie

Before the Ashes we suggested that Michael Hussey was shot as a test cricketer - we even wrote this: Zeroes - Mike Hussey. We now feel like turning the gun on ourselves as once again Mr Cricket proved that we couldn't have been more wrong if we had said on the night of the Election that Nick Clegg was a man of his word. Hussey is now the leading runscorer in the series and has hit six consecutive scores of 50 or above in an Ashes innings - a record. Now, where did we store that humble pie?

Test Cricket? It's a funny old game

Perhaps like no other sport, test cricket is a game of highs and lows. Mitchell Johnson's rise from the dead in this game is arguably the type of resurrection not seen for circa 2,000 years - especially given how low he sunk in Brisbane. Kevin Pietersen has gone in the opposite direction. After a test best 227 in Adelaide, he followed his first innings duck here with a dreadful shot to give Ben Hilfenhaus his first wicket since the first over of the series.

Not so elementary my dear Watson

We're not big fans of Shane Watson in the Reverse Sweep household (see Zeroes - Shane Watson), but to be fair he does provide plenty of hilarity. No one does the nervous nineties quite like him and it seemed inevitable that he would yet again fall short of the magical three figures. Sure enough, Chris Tremlett caught him in front for 95 and despite a desperate call for the review and a near flood of tears when the decision was upheld, Watson had to depart for his fourth ninety in test cricket. His conversion rate is worse than the ugliest of geeks with only two hundreds from 16 scores of 50 or more - only 12.5%.

Court Jester Smith rides his luck

Steve Smith is patently not a test number six, but he obviously picked the right fortune cookie last night if his innings today was anything to go by. He survived more appeals and reviews than Wikileaks head honcho Julian Assange, was nearly run out, hooked just short of fine-leg and even survived leaving his bat in the air while ducking a Tremlett bouncer and a top edge looped over the keeper and slips. When Smith said he was going to bring a bit of fun to the side, no-one realised that this would amount to playing the court jester in the middle too. The luckiest Australian since Liz Hurley invited Shane Warne in for a nightcap?

Time for the Review System to be reviewed?

For the most part, the dreaded UDRS has worked reasonably well in this series - whatever Aggers may say, but there is still room for significant improvement. A case in point was when Erasmus turned down a leg before decision against Smith when he had made 28. England sent for the review and it showed that the ball would have hit leg stump, but it was adjudged 'Umpire's Call' and the decision was upheld. If the technology is there why not use it to ensure that the right decision is given for every referral, especially when England lost one of its two reviews as a result?

Player of the day

Michael Hussey - certainly Australia's player of the series to date and now that he is the leading run scorer on both sides arguably the player of the series so far too. But Chris Tremlett deserves a mention too for his first test five for and eight wickets on his test comeback.

Zero of the day

Graeme Swann didn't have a good day. Ignored for the whole morning session by Strauss, he proved expensive when he finally came on and then dropped Peter Siddle before tea, thus allowing Australia to further extend their lead.  

What happens next?

It's over already thanks to Hussey and more poor batting from England - it will be 1-1 going into Melbourne.

Where next?

Perth: Day 1 - Tremlett's Sinatraesque Comeback

Perth: Day 2 - Johnson's rendition of I Am the Resurrection reduces England to rubble

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

Perth Heroes & Zeroes: Adam Gilchrist,  Alex Tudor and Chris Broad

Exclusive: Read KP's 2010 Ashes Diary

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Where do demoralised Australia go from here?

 
In the end Australia left Adelaide with barely a whimper and long before the arrival of the thunderstorm that must have being praying on English minds overnight. 
 
In truth the only storm that counts is the one that is now engulfing Ricky Ponting and the Australian selectors as they try to find an XI that can compete with England and somehow win two and draw one of the three remaining tests in the series. Otherwise, Ponting is in danger of having his legacy as the best Australian batsman since Bradman besmirched. Instead, he will forever be known as the captain that lost three Ashes series.
 
As an honest Ponting admitted, Australia were “out-batted, out-bowled and out-fielded” by a rampant England team. And as he and the selectors pick through the wreckage, the temptation will be to make wholesale changes to the side that takes the field at the WACA next week.
 
There will be at least one change, with Simon Katich’s achilles problem ruling him out of the rest of the series and given his years will perhaps curtail his test career for good. Phil Hughes is likely to return at the top of the order. Elsewhere, Marcus North’s position at number six will come under scrutiny and then there are the bowlers. Of the four who played in Adelaide, only Ryan Harris comes out with any credit with the other three all in danger of losing their place.
 
Aside form Andrew Strauss’ injudicious leave, Doug Bollinger looked was simply dreadful - he wasn't quick enough, leaked too many runs and his body language was terrible. He certainly lacked the fizz that his name would otherwise imply. As such Mitchell Johnson’s exile may only last for one match.
 
Peter Siddle has experienced the highs and lows of test cricket in just a week - six wickets and a birthday hat-trick on day one of the series and 54 wicketless overs since. Whilst he continued to run in and give it everything, Siddle looked like what he is – a bowler returning from a long-time injury. It is likely to come down to a borderline decision between him and Ben Hilfenhaus – who was inexplicably left out at Adelaide.
 
Both may play if the selectors opt for four seamers – as Xavier Doherty’s brief sojourn in test cricket will surely be put out of its misery. The gamble simply hasn’t worked – hardly surprising given his first-class record. However, having dispensed with Nathan Hauritz before the series, are the Australian selectors prepared to look a bit foolish by going back to him cap in hand now? Or do they turn instead to the rookie Steve Smith, who could take North’s place and provide support to a four-seam attack? If so, Mark Cameron of New South Wales is a good outside bet to join Harris, Johnson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus in the squad.
 
If Hauritz gets the nod and Australia retain the four bowler policy with Shane Watson as back-up seamer, North could survive for his home test. Cameron White - a possible alternative to Clarke as next captain, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson are all contenders for North's spot if the selectors press the eject button.
 
For what it’s worth our squad would be as follows, with the XI highlighted in bold: Watson, Hughes, Clarke, Hussey, Ponting, White, Haddin, Johnson, Hauritz, Harris, Hilfenhaus, Siddle and Smith. We've been calling for Ponting to drop down the order for a while. It will allow him to compartmentalise the captaincy and give him a better chance of getting back to his imperious best with the bat.

Where next?

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

1st Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

2nd Test: England marks out of 10, Australia marks out of 10

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

2nd Test - Adelaide: Australia marks out of 10

 
Ricky Ponting will know that from the fourth ball of the Test, his team were given an absolute hammering by England in Adelaide. His selectors now have some open heart surgery to conduct before naming the squad for the WACA. Katich is out injured and North, Doherty and Bollinger could all be dropped. A third series loss as captain is looking inevitable at the moment for Ponting.

Here's how the Aussies rated in Adelaide:

Shane Watson – 6: Scored two fifties and again looked in good touch, but he really needs to start converting some of these fifties into hundreds. Bowled tidily. Needs to improve his calling and running between the wickets.

Simon Katich – 4: His dreadful run out for a diamond duck started Australia's slide but he fought hard with the bat second time around. With his achilles ruling him out of the series, has he played his last Test?

Ricky Ponting – 2: A dreadful match for the skipper. A golden duck was followed by a real struggle against Swann in the 2nd innings. This all-time great deserves better than the insipid bowling attack he has at his disposal.

Michael Clarke – 6: Poor run continued in the 1st innings but showed real character in the 2nd even if he rode his luck at times. His dismissal to KP must have hurt nearly as much as Lara Bingle's infidelity.

Michael Hussey - 8: Mr Cricket's renaissance continued as he was out in the nervous nineties for the second Adelaide Ashes Test in a row. Fifty in the second innings gave Australia hope, but will be disappointed with his dismissal on the final morning.

Marcus North - 4: The notorious poor starter got to 20 in both innings, but was unable to press on and he will do well to survive for Perth. Was again Australia's best spinner in the match, but he didn't exactly have much competition.

Brad Haddin - 6: Looked a million dollars with the bat in the 1st innings, but Anderson got him with a beauty second time around. Continues to look fallible with the gloves although he took a wonderful diving catch to finally get Cook out. 

Ryan Harris – 6: Was Australia’s best bowler in the Test by a country mile - not difficult admittedly - and bowled with real heart and fire. Not a number eight after his king pair and doubtless not a fan of the Review System either.

Xavier Doherty – 1: Did what he was brought into do by taking Pietersen's wicket. The trouble being that KP had 227 by then and he returned figures of 1/158 from 27 impotent overs. No control, no flight, no guile and no chance of playing Test cricket again. Lucky to get 1.

Peter Siddle – 4: The highs and lows of Test cricket. Six wickets in the 1st innings at Brisbane and 0/211 since. Bowled with his usual heart but looked tired and lacking in quality.

Doug Bollinger – 1: No improvement on Mitchell Johnson. Went at nearly five an over, showed dreadful body language and would have gone wicketless but for Strauss’ misjudgement. The champagne over his recall has gone flat already. Come back Mitchell, all is forgiven.

Where next?

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

1st Test: England marks out of 10

1st Test: Australia marks out of 10

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

The Boundary View: Swann soars as England stroll - Adelaide, Day Five

 
Swann soars

So, Brisbane was just a blip for Graeme Swann after all despite the doom and gloom merchants suggestingthat he was just the latest off-spinner to find Australian wickets a graveyard. Here in Adelaide though Swann has provided both wickets and control to produce match figures of 70.1-14-161-7. The pitch may have been on his side in the second innings, but Swann bowled beautifully and will be confident that he can strut through the rest of the series now.

King pair

Ryan Harris may have been the pick of a rather dismal Australian attack in Adelaide, but he is no test match number eight. He followed his unlucky golden duck in the 1st innings by padding up to James Anderson first ball to complete a king pair. Again he referred the decision - more in hope than expectation this time - and again the decision went against him. With Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Broad both recording ducks at Brisbane, no number eight has yet scored a run in the series.

Soft centres?

In the Sunday Times this weekend, Martin Johnson suggested that the Australian cricket team's toothlessness could be down to the "namby-pamby nanny state" that the country has become. We're not sure about that - witness Simon Katich's bravery yesterday - but Australia certainly folded today with barely a whimper. The writing was on the wall as soon as Steve Finn forced Michael Hussey to miscue an attempted pull straight to James Anderson at mid-off. Anderson, who had been poor in the innings thus far, then got Brad Haddin and Harris in successive balls. When Marcus North was adjudged leg before after a review to Swann two balls later it was all over for Australia.

Like father, like son?

Not this time. In the build-up to the series a number of pundits (including us) suggested that Stuart Broad could emulate his father Chris - who hit three hundreds in the 1986/87 series - by playing a starring role in a successful jaunt down under. But the worst fears were confirmed as Broad Junior was ruled out of the rest of the tour with the stomach injury he suffered bowling on the fourth day. Only two matches ago, Broad was scoring 169 at Lord's - talk about the highs and lows of Test Cricket. 

Commentator's Curse?

Finn had just taken Hussey's wicket and the Sky Commentary team were heaping the praise with Shane Warne enthusing about how well Finn had bowled in Adelaide. So what happened next? Finn bowled a delivery straight out of the Mitchell Johnson school of bowling - it started wide and wentwider as it went miles past North's leg stump and down to the boundary. Definitely a case of commentator's curse as Warne opined himself.

Player of the day

Graeme Swann was asked to produce the goods and he didn't disappoint with his 10th five wicket haul in Test cricket.

Zero of the day

It's hard to look past Marcus North, who is now likely to leave the last chance saloon with a one way ticket to the obscurity of domestic cricket.

Prospects for Perth

Australia look in disarray and will need every one of the nine days before the Perth test starts to get their house in order. There will be more changes - Katich, who is out of the series now with his achilles, is one. North looks vulnerable as does Doherty and Doug Bollinger hardly covered himself in glory. England will be on a high and other than a shootout between Tremlett, Shahzad and Bresnan for Broad's place, will head to Perth via Melbourne with none of the worries etched on Ricky Ponting's brow.

Where next?

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

Day 4 at Adelaide dissected: Two out of three ain't bad

Day 3 at Adelaide dissected: Double Trouble & The Able KP

Day 2 at Adelaide dissected: Cook serves up a dish of deja vu and That won't work either, Punter...

Day 1 at Adelaide dissected: Australia capsizes to Jimmy  and Dear Jimmy...

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

The Boundary View: Australia capsize to Jimmy - Adelaide, Day One

 
Anything you can do, I can do better (or should that be worse?)...

We doubt that Ricky Ponting was singing this to Andrew Strauss as he left the crease, but Australia certainly made the England captain's third ball dismissal in Brisbane look small fry compared to what was their worst start to a test innings in 60 years. Jonathan Trott can take some credit for all three wickets given that his run out of a hesitant Simon Katich enabled James Anderson to get an early shot at Ponting and Michael Clarke. Anderson didn't disappoint producing two brilliant balls to induce edges from both captain and vice-captain to Graeme Swann at second slip.

Hussey and the drink from Krypton

We don't know what drinks they are serving in the last chance saloon these days, but whatever Michael Hussey drank must have had some kryptonite in it - unlike the tipple served today to Marcus North. For the second match in a row, the man who we described before the series as looking shot as a test batsman (which goes to show how much we know), got his side out of a very large hole. Once again, he enjoyed some luck at the start with Anderson dropping a difficult caught and bowled when he had only made 3. But also as at Brisbane, he was positive and busy at the crease and played Swann with ease - that is until the England spinner finally got one to spin to induce Hussey's edge seven runs short of what would have been his third hundred in his last three innings against England.

Michael Clarke's dial-a-number

Whilst the ball from Anderson that got Clarke was a good one, he didn't exactly look comfortable in his brief six ball stay at the crease - playing and missing twice at Broad and also looking seriously uncomfortable at a ball the same bowler directed towards his ribs. Clarke's last six test innings have amounted to 14, 4, 14, 3, 9 and now 2 - not good figures for Australia's vice-captain unless it is Lara Bingle's telephone number of course. 

UDRS fails again

We're not big fans of the Umpire Decision Review System at the Reverse Sweep - mainly because it doesn't do what it says it does on the tin. Snicko showed that Michael Clarke was caught behind for nought at Brisbane and it also showed that Ryan Harris got a thin edge to his first ball leg before today. Neither error was overturned when referred to the video umpire, which kind of makes a mockery of the supposed purpose of UDRS. Until the system can uphold or overturn all decisions correctly - including the use of Snicko, just get rid of it.

Player of the day

Four years ago, James Anderson was smacked all over the Adelaide Oval and returned match figures of 1/108 from just over 22 overs. As at Brisbane - though this time with more luck, Anderson showed he is twice the bowler now and used the new ball perfectly to start Australia's slide. 

Zero of the day

It has to be Simon Katich, who only has himself to blame for departing for a duck without facing a ball and thus missing the chance to bat on the batting paradise that is the Adelaide Oval. His error didn't just cost Australia his wicket either as it brought a vulnerable Ponting and Clarke out early to face the new ball.

What happens next?

We won't know how good (or bad) the pitch is until both teams have batted on it, but it would seem Australia are at least 300 runs short of a par score. If England have another day tomorrow  like day 4 or 5 at The Gabba, then this Test match should be theirs for the taking.  

Where next?

Follow the Reverse Sweep on Twitter

Adelaide Hero: Wally Hammond

1st Test, Brisbane - Marks out of 10: England and Australia

The Boundary View at Brisbane: Day 5 -  Records & Filth at The Gabba,  Day 4 - The Empire Strikes Back, Day 3 - The Hussey & Haddin Show, Day 2 - Mr Cricket Thwarts England, Day 1 - Siddle's Joy of Six

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

Australia win the Ashes 17-16

 
Australia may not win back the Ashes this winter, but at least they can console themselves with the fact that they have beaten England in the 'Who can have the biggest squad for the Brisbane Test' competition.

That can be the only sane conclusion that can be drawn from the confused announcement of a 17 man squad for the 1st Test next Thursday. By comparison England have named a 16 man squad for the entire series and warm-up matches.

So, we have a spinner with a first class average of 48 - Xavier Doherty, a fast bowler with dodgy knees - Ryan Harris, two uncapped batsmen in Callum Ferguson and Usman Khawaja and one shot batsman in Michael Hussey. Ricky Ponting certainly didn't look amused.

Rumours that Simon Cowell has been engaged to launch a TV series over the next few days where the public will vote who they want to leave the squad were dismissed by Cricket Australia's Marketing Department, as were suggestions that the squad would have been 20 strong but for injuries to Dame Edna, Kylie Minogue and Peter Garrett.

Where next?

Zeroes: Bill Lawry

Zeroes: Matthew Hayden

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: 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?

 

Nat West Series - Australia marks out of ten

Unlike England who played the same XI throughout the five games, Australia chopped and changed their line-up playing 15 men in the series for reasons of form and injury.

At first it looked like Australia were going to be humbled but with the introduction of the express Shaun Tait and some typically gritty performances, they managed to claw their way back to leave with a 3-2 defeat and arguably the momentum in their favour.

A 5-0 defeat may have left some scars that wouldn't have healed by the Ashes but a narrow series defeat with several key players missing and facing a buoyant England side, will give Ricky Ponting and his side some positives for November. However, the bragging rights are definitely with England for the time being.

So, how did the Aussies rate during the series?

Shane Watson - 7 (205 runs, avg 41.00, SR 85.06, 2 50s, HS 61. 2 wickets, avg 32.00 Econ 5.81 BB 2/55 Started the series as the only Australian in form but kept getting out when set much to his obvious disappointment. Bowling was pretty poor and the days of him being tagged as an all-rounder must now be gone.

Tim Paine - 6 (148 runs, avg 29.60, SR 63.79, 1 50, HS 54) A shadow of the batsman who shone in last autumn's series against the same opposition. Didn't score enough runs and those he did score were at too pedestrian a rate. Brad Haddin, your place is safe.

Ricky Ponting - 6 (144 runs, avg 28.80, SR 80.00, 1 50, HS 92) Unquestionably, the Australian captain is a player in irreversible decline as shown by his struggles in this series. But this was a batsman with the powers of Gandalf and this and his love of a fight, saw him set the foundations for his team's win at The Oval with an un-Ponting like 92.

Michael Clarke - 8 (220 runs, avg 110.00, SR 83.33, 2 50s, HS 99*) His 87 not out in the first match was not made at the pace his side required to set a winning target, but it is hard to criticise someone who had these stats for a one day series. His partnership with Ponting at The Oval was a matchwinning one however, even if it didn't give him the hundred he deserved.

Cameron White - 6 (145 runs, avg 36.25, SR 77.54, 1 50, HS 86*) A steady if unspectacular series for the normally big hitting White. It can't be often that his strike rate for a one day series is slower than Clarke's and his 86 not out at Cardiff proved to be too circumspect.

Mike Hussey - 6 (143 runs, avg 28.60, SR 97.27, 1 50, HS 79) Another Australian batsman who started the series in poor form and finished it close to his best. His 79 in the final match was a typical Hussey masterpiece and showed exactly why he is rated one of the best one day batsman in the world.

Shaun Marsh - 6 (59 runs, avg 59.00, SR 118.00, 1 50, HS 59) Just played the final match at Lord's and showed just what Australia had been missing. Could have played himself back into the team as Watson's opening partner.

James Hopes - 5 (2 wickets, avg 101, Econ 5.58, BB 1/30. 61 runs, avg 20.33, SR 103.38, HS 34) Reminds of one of the many bits and pieces cricketers England used to populate their one day side with in the nineties. Hopes' stats for the series bore this out too. His time must be nigh in this line-up.

Steve Smith - 7 (7 wickets, avg 26.00, Econ 5.05, BB 2/34. 94 runs, avg 31.33, SR 98.94, HS 41)Hugely impressive performance from the youngster especially as England would have targeted his leg spin as a weakness. Clearly he is no Warne, but he looks like he could have a long international career ahead of him all the same.

Nathan Hauritz - 5 (1 wicket, avg 100.00, Econ 5.55, BB 1/56) Played the first two matches before getting injured and must now fear that Smith will take his place in the test and one day sides. England would have been disappointed to see him go.

Doug Bollinger - 8 (9 wickets, avg 19.77, Econ 3.95, BB 3/20) Looks a very good bowler who wears his heart on his sleeve. Good performances throughout the series with wickets and a decent economy rate. Probably nailed on for a spot at The Gabba in November - form and fitness permitting.

Ryan Harris - 8 (10 wickets, avg 17.10, Econ 4.79, BB 5/32) Another impressive Australian bowler who bowls around 90mph, and despite playing four matches was the leading wicket taker for Ricky Ponting's men. Bowled beautifully at The Oval.

Shaun Tait - 9 (8 wickets, avg 12.37, Econ 3.88, BB 4/48) What would have happened if Tait had played the whole series? Must be the fastest bowler in the world at the moment and he combines taking wickets without leaking too many runs. Could be in line for a return to test cricket too - but is he fit enough?

Josh Hazelwood - 5 (1 wicket, avg 41.00, Econ 5.85, BB 1/41) The 19 year old made his debut at the Rose Bowl and seemed to do well enough, but was then never seen again. Did he get lost en route to Cardiff?

Clint McKay - 3 (1 match, 0/60) Also only played one match and didn't look much of a player on that showing. Strauss certainly punished his no-balls.