Ashes Fiasco: How the tables turned against the lion in his own den (Part 3)
There were almost 67,000 fans in the stadium, however the Australian fans were muted, hushed as the combative quorum was raised by the Barmy army who jeered at the opposition and supported their own team. At the end of the day, at stumps the pack of the
wounded lion remembered their manners. They went to Jonathan Trott to shake his hand, as long shadows emerged on the grounds where they walked; like special effects in the MCG stadium. Once upon a time this was the dominion of Australia, now however it is
their scaffold as they prepare the lambs for slaughter.
England deserve complete credit for that sustained level of excellence that they have managed to maintain throughout the Ashes series. Watching the Englishmen play such quality cricket has given cricket fans immense pleasure save the one-eyed observers of
cricket, a particular breed of men who are known to both the nations. This England team is perhaps the closest one ever sees to having a complete unit without heroes, or stars or egos; hardworking, strong, thoughtful and passionate. This team has avoided incessantly
bleating and managed to inexorably crush the shaky Kangaroos.
This English side has been a class apart to what was witnessed in the 1980s. A glamorous side which managed to window dress their failings behind the talent of a few gifted men. It was a time, when the Pommy outfit witnessed rebel tours, false prophets,
pompous heroes and dissolution. It has taken the Englishmen a very long time to make a comeback, to find that grit and determination that was for many years its hallmark.
There has been a reversal of roles. The teacher has now become the pupil. Australia need to acknowledge that the Englishman are a far superior unit, superiority that can be witnessed as much off the field as on it. The superiority of the Poms has been such
that it is hard for the average cricket fan to recall a time since the Windies became idyllic wayfarers that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 were outrun by a team in such a manner. It is almost as if all the roles were rehearsed well before the Englishmen went to Australia. They
knew what they had to do, they were aware of what was required of them and they stepped up to the challenge. In fact, this English side had no weak links to provoke any sort of caustic comments.
The English batsmen have most certainly given their opposition a brilliant lesson in concentration and persistence. Alastair Cook as a batsman does not have a lot of variety in his shots however he waits for his chances to execute with the precision of a
swiss engineered watch. Jonathan Trott applied all his knowledge while he stood on the crease, all eight hours of it. Compared to the English batsmen, the Kangaroos resemble more like flibbertigibbets. Hussey of course is an exception in the Australian squad.
The English bowlers bowled commendably as well. They placed the ball in the right places swung the new ball, moved the old ball late and most importantly bowled short to the Australian batsmen. Swann bowled decently as well, even though the pitch was not
very well suited to his style of bowling.
The lion did not anticipate what was in store for him, and this is the tale of how the tables turned against the lion in his own den. This might be the death knell for the wounded lion and his prolific career.
Tags: