Ashes 2010-11: England crush Australia 3-1
England finally put an end to the 24 years of misery that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 had managed to pile on them as they finished the series in spectacular fashion.
England won the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground by an innings and 83 runs. The final moment of reckoning came when Chris Tremlett took the wicket of the leg spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Beer-c1949, an inside edge that went straight on to the stumps. In doing so, England have ensured that they set a new record unmatched in the 100-year history of the Ashes.
Australia have never been defeated by an innings three times in the same series. Therefore, it is now more than evident that the balance of power now lies with the Englishmen who have proven that they came into the series to systematically annihilate the opposition, to crush them under their powerful stride.
England players were ecstatic at not only claiming the series win against Australia but also retaining the Ashes urn down under. In doing so, they have now cast away the 24-year long spell of not winning an Ashes in Australia.
The defeat at Perth for the Englishmen just went on to incite them to fight with more passion, enthusiasm, determination and strength against Australia. This victory has been achieved by careful planning, scrutiny and hard work where the Englishmen did not leave a single stone unturned in their efforts to unsettle an already unsettled Australian side. The scars that they have left on the Aussies will haunt the home side for many years to come. England’s players shattered record after record with their players managing to surpass the great Aussie legend, Sir Donald Bradman.
Alastair Cook now stands in second place with 766 runs behind Sir Walter Hammond for most runs in a series. He has played two innings less than the great Hammond.
England were initially frustrated for a short while as the heavens fell open at Sydney, bringing in early morning showers. This lead to the suspension of the game for 45 minutes. However, soon after game resumed, Graeme Swann was able to make a breakthrough by taking the crucial wicket of Peter Siddle who was batting strongly at 43. From there onwards, it was an easy task for the Englishmen as it took them only 6.1 overs to dismiss the other two tail enders.
The only positive for Australia was that Steve Smith and Siddle showed some resistance against the English bowlers but most people were well aware of the fact that it was only a matter of time before England claimed victory in the fifth and final Test.
As Tremlett took the last wicket, the Barmy Army was in full chorus hailing their warriors who had fought long and hard to secure a victory against the Australians at home.
England will be partying the following day and night away and the Australians will have to go back to the drawing board to find out what went wrong for them.
England truly deserve this victory as they pulled off an exceptional series win. However, Andrew Strauss and Coach Andy Flower know well that they must soon direct their energies towards new challenges ahead.
Tags: