Shaggee's England Story [ICC2008 - 2018/9 Ashes]

[Shaggy Alfresco]

England come into the Ashes in disarray. The once vaunted best side in the world was humiliated by a 2-0 loss to Zimbabwe at home, and then 2-0 up in the first two tests against the West Indies managed to lose twice in the fourth and fifth tests (by 1 run!) to draw the series. Australia, for their part, comfortably disposed of a Bangaldeshi side at home 2-0, while fell 1 wicket away from a famous 2-1 victory in India. England have held an iron grip on the urn since 2008, the previous two series being 3-0 victories, but this Ashes is anticipated to be the best for over a decade. Will this series be another Australian horror story, or another chapter in England's inexorable decline?

Opening Batsmen (3)

Alastair Cook - Former England captain and holder of 152 test caps with an average of 51.12. At the age of 33, this will most likely be his last tour of Australia
Adam Henry - The highly rated Derbyshire opener takes after Cook with a defensive style, in his only test innings scored 84 and 26. Expected to open alongside Cook.
Kevin Mitchell - The precocious 22 year old played 7 tests in the summer of 2017, bagging two centuries and an average of 42.36. Though the selectors preferred to blood in Henry, Mitchell is sure to have a bright future in the England setup.

Middle Order Batsmen (5)

Gerald Whitehead - The England captain is one of the greatest batsmen the game has ever seen. 25 test centuries, over 9000 runs and an average above 60, and he's still 29.
Alex Smith - A continued performer in county cricket, Smith finally broke into the one day setup this season but was disappointing. A strong competitor for a test spot.
Tim Coop - Another consistent county performer, but constantly in and out of the England XI. England know that they will definately get an average a shade above 40 from Coop, but the selectors desire more.
Phil Bishop - One of the great England batsmen, despite a poor performance this season a shoe-in for the his number 4 spot. His test average of 55 doesn't lie.
Barry Beasley - Another of a legion of great county batsmen, Beasley finally got his chance this season and produced a 63, but little else of note in his 3 tests. A probable starter in the 1st test.

All-rounders (1)

Adil Rashid - Will not play a test, but a lynchpin of the England one day side. 121 wickets at 22.90 in 67 internationals makes him one of the best limited overs spinners in the world.

Wicket-keepers (2)

Daniel Lane - Solid with the gloves and competent with the bat, Lane is England's established keeper for both forms. His test average of 34.37 is good enough for all intents and purposes.
Paul Westwood - A magnificent season with the bat (999 runs at 58.76) propelled Westwood to the tour party, though will probably not play a game save through injuries.

Fast Bowlers (5)

James Harris (RFM) - 303 test wickets at a shade over 30, Harris was controversially dropped for the tests last season after a poor run, but kept his place in the one day setup before being recalled for the Ashes.
Glenn Peel (RFM) - A top class ODI bowler but his four tests were a joke. Will not be playing a test this summer.
Alex May (RFM) - The best one day bowler in the country, but hasn't reproduced it for England so far. In his only test to date picked up match figures of 2-211.
Alec Frogget (RF) - At his best, capable of destroying any lineup in the world. Unfortunately this is few and far between, and his selection for the tour is a source of controversy.
Jeff Hislop (RFM) - Arguably England's best bowler, Hislop has masterful command of the
swinging ball but is somewhat impotent when it doesn't. 209 wickets under 30 is a sign of class.

Spin Bowlers (2)

Monty Panesar - 479 wickets at 27.15, but he was 2nd choice to Keith Schofield before the legspinner's retirement due to injury. Took a 10fer on his return from exile but has done little since.
Malcolm Bunter (OS) - In his 5 tests so far has taken 28 wickets at 28.36 including a 7-97 against Pakistan. Many feel he has a good case to be selected ahead of Panesar.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

New South Wales vs England - Warmup Game

As is always my thinking in warmup games, I give some out of form players a chance to get into form. I line up:

Cook (c)
Mitchell
Henry
Coop
Smith
Beasley
Lane (wk)
Harris
Peel
Hislop
Bunter

New South Wales 297
Mansfield 177*, Smith 20
Hislop 4-91

England 372-3 dec.
Coop 159*, Smith 100*
Koukoudakis 1-48

New South Wales 287-5 dec.
Clarke 84, Jenkins 53*
Harris 2-57

England 68-1
Henry 43*
Donald 1-8

Surprise surprise, the test batsman gets an unbeaten 170. Otherwise we did really well to bowl them out for less than 300 on such a flat pitch, and our batting is in top form. Bunter was alarmingly ineffective in spinning conditions, however.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 1st Test Match - The GABBA

A pitch as flat as a pool table greets us, and we decide to go with:

Cook
Henry
Whitehead (c)
Bishop
Coop
Smith
Lane (wk)
Harris
Froggett
Hislop
Panesar

Bunter misses out due to poor performances against NSW, and Coop and Smith get in ahead of Beasley thanks to their centuries. No other surprises.

Australia's XI:

Dublin
Pomersbach (c)
Mansfield
Lynn
Moriaty
Bentley
Paine (wk)
Swinburn (RM)
Donald (RFM)
Siddle (RFM)
Mutch (RFM)

Interesting that they've gone with an all pace attack. Dublin and Mansfield are class performers, as are Siddle and Mutch but the rest is mostly average. I would still say we'd be the favourites to win the series.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 1st Test Match - Day One
CAPTAIN WHITEHEAD LEADS THE WAY

England 297-4
Whitehead 114, Coop 86*
Siddle 2-51

England captain Gerald Whitehead hit a marvellous 114 on the opening day of the 2018/9 Ashes, leading England have a good total on the board by the end of the day's play. Ably supported by Coop's unbeaten 86*, the England legend was in imperious form before being trapped leg-before by Siddle. England started the innings badly and were 20-2 before Whitehead got going, but while Siddle bowled tight and was somewhat unlucky, the attack lacked penetration on such a flat pitch.

Gerald Whitehead hits out on his way to a 26th test century

Australia vs England - 1st Test Match - Day Two
ENGLAND MOVE INTO DOMINATING POSITION

England 478
Coop 143, Whitehead 114
Siddle 4-80

Australia 99-2
Lynn 45*
Hislop 1-26

Two early wickets after a 10th wicket partnership of 35 between Hislop and Panesar made it England's day, but it could have been better. After the loss of captain Pomersbach for a 3 ball duck in the last over before tea, opening partner Dublin departed as well and alarm bells rang. However, a stodgy partnership of 80 between Mansfield and Lynn salvaged Australia's day after Coop bludgeoned their attack for his 143 in the morning. England should have been wrapped up for 450, but Panesar and Hislop batted well, Panesar's magnificent six off Donald (the first in his 104 test career) got everyone smiling.

Panesar gets a fortuitous edge on his way to 16

Australia vs England - 1st Test Match - Day Three
HARRIS THE DESTROYER AS AUSTRALIA FOLLOW ON

England 478
Coop 143, Whitehead 114
Siddle 4-80

Australia 259
Moriaty 68
Harris 7-88

Australia 145-3
Pomersbach 75
Panesar 2-26

Paceman James Harris routed Australia by taking 7-88 to bundle them out for 259, before Whitehead enforced the follow on. On the day, England took 11 wickets for 305 runs, and on such a pitch they must be pleased. Australia started the day well, and on 228-4 the follow-on looked unlikely. But after the century partnership between Moriaty and Bentley was broken, the Antipodeans offered no resistance as Harris snared the last 4 wickets to fall. A century opening partnership gave Australia hope, but Panesar took two late wickets to dash Australian hopes.

James Harris celebrates with Phil Bishop after the wicket of Siddle

Australia vs England - 1st Test Match - Day Four
ENGLAND ON THE BRINK OF OPENING VICTORY

England 478
Coop 143, Whitehead 114
Siddle 4-80

Australia 259
Moriaty 68
Harris 7-88

Australia 342
Pomersbach 75
Panesar 4-61
Froggett 3-44

England 85-0
Cook 43*

A spell of top-class spin bowling by Panesar aided by the raw pace of Froggett decided the test today, as Australia weren't up to task. Moriaty and Bentley combined again for another century partnership after Lynn fell early in the day, but once Panesar made the vital breakthrough a collapse was always inevitable. Tailender Siddle tried to hit out and get some quick runs at the end of the innings, his 23 from 32 helped put on a largely futile 24 for the last wicket. Chasing 123, there might have been some jitters from the English batsmen had early wickets fell, but Cook and Henry calmly saw out the day without loss.

Froggett goes ballistic after the wicket of Moriaty

Australia vs England - 1st Test Match - Day Five
RUTHLESS ENGLAND SMASH AUSTRALIA

England 478
Coop 143, Whitehead 114
Siddle 4-80

Australia 259
Moriaty 68
Harris 7-88

Australia 342
Pomersbach 75
Panesar 4-61
Froggett 3-44

England 127-0
Henry 67*
Cook 56*

There was no great escape for Australia as England won by 10 wickets inside the first sesson of the day. Henry was dropped on 60 but with only a dozen or so runs to win the catch was academic. At the post-match presentation, Whitehead was understandably buoyant. "A lot of people had us written off before the test, both my captaincy and a lot of the lads. It's great to prove them wrong but it's also great to win an Ashes test for England. I don't think Australia played too badly, but Jamie and Chicken both played magnificently and it's always special for me to score a test century." Luke Pomersbach was a bit more downcast. "England are a better side than some people have been saying, but I definately think we could have defended 200 on that pitch. I think we gave up a bit too easily and didn't show the mental toughness you need to beat this England side, but we're a young team and we've learnt a lot from this experience and will definately come back better at Adelaide. Moriaty and Bentley combined well so we've got something to build on as well."

Cook was flawless in his 50 closing out the test

MOTM: J Harris (4, 7-88 & 2-110)

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 2nd Test Match - The Adelaide Oval

The pitch is flat, but with a tiny amount of bounce. While the weather will be flawless for the first two days, the last three will be cloudy to varying degrees.

Both sides are unchanged, as Australia win the toss and elect to bat.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 2nd Test Match - Day One
300 PASSED AS AUSTRALIA START WELL

Australia 308-5
Dublin 70, Pomersbach 62
Panesar 2-63

On a flat pitch England's bowlers were forced to toil as the game swung throughout on an intruiging first day. Three Australian batsmen made fifties however none could push on past 70, a frustrating statistic for the Aussie dressing room. Panesar was the pick of England's bowlers, bowling intelligently and snaring two wickets on a track that offered little. At 266-5 England could have forced a collapse, but Australia saw out the day comfortably.

Captain Pomersbach thrashes Harris for four during his innings

Australia vs England - 2nd Test Match - Day Two
COOK AND WHITEHEAD FLAY AUSTRALIA

Australia 402
Paine 74
Panesar 3-75

England 246-1
Whitehead 105*, Cook 102*
Siddle 1-61

Tim Paine marshalled the tail excellently to nudge Australia past 400, but it all seemed in vain as Cook and Whitehead mercilessly flayed a toothless Australian attack in the 2nd and 3rd sessions. Australia got an early breakthrough through Siddle, removing Henry at 44-1 and giving themselves hope before the two centurions went about constructing a 202 run partnership.

Cook celebrates his fine century in the 2nd test

Australia vs England - 2nd Test Match - Day Three
BISHOP CENTURY SETS UP 100 RUN LEAD

Australia 402
Paine 74
Panesar 3-75

England 503-9 dec.
Whitehead 136, Bishop 105, Cook 103
Mutch 4-123

Australia 16-1
Pomersbach 9*
Harris 1-6

Phil Bishop hit the 5th century in two tests for England to set up an imposing lead heading into the fourth day, Harris striking a crippling blow by removing Dublin just before the end of the day's play. Mutch trapped Cook LBW in the 2nd over of the day, giving Australia some hope for a 1st innings lead before Bishop calmly removed that possibility by playing his part in 3 consecutive half century partnerships. Whithead's masterful 136 was off 194 balls, the single blemish being one played and missed on the 2nd day. Australia needed to close out the day wicketless but Harris induced an edge from Dublin to Smith at first slip.

Phil Bishop sees the ball clearly during his century

Australia vs England - 2nd Test Match - Day Four
MAGNIFICENT MANSFIELD GIVES AUSTRALIA HOPE

Australia 402
Paine 74
Panesar 3-75

England 503-9 dec.
Whitehead 136, Bishop 105, Cook 103
Mutch 4-123

Australia 308
Mansfield 116, Bentley 64
Harris 5-99

England 15-0
Cook 7*, Henry 7*

Australia made the golden 300 and set England 207 to win on the last day, thanks to a sparkling century by the young Malcolm Mansfield. In tough, overcast conditions and ably supported by Geoff Bentley, the batsman made 116 to give Australia a hope of levelling the series and regaining the ashes for the first time in over a decade. James Harris bowled well in the conditions for his 5-for, and while Australia desperately needed a wicket at the end of the day, Cook and Henry were able to see it out without incident.

23-year old Mansfield sweeps during the best innings of his test career

Australia vs England - 2nd Test Match - Day Five
DONALD DESTROYS ENGLAND IN FAMOUS VICTORY

Australia 402
Paine 74
Panesar 3-75

England 503-9 dec.
Whitehead 136, Bishop 105, Cook 103
Mutch 4-123

Australia 308
Mansfield 116, Bentley 64
Harris 5-99

England 175
Whitehead 50
Donald 6-30, Mutch 3-40

Martin Donald took his first five-for in tests during an incredible day's cricket which saw England lose an Ashes test for the first time in more than 5 years. Henry was removed in the third over of the day by Mutch, as England put together consecutive partnerships of 21, 36, 28, 23 and 19, searching desperately for a good partnership which surely would have won the game. The killer blow came when Whitehead, who had played brilliantly for his 50, was bowled by a magnificent yorker from Donald, ending any chance of England winning the test.

Martin Donald savours his 5-for after bowling Frogget

MOTM: M Mansfield (21 & 116)

 

[Jamee999]

Gun format. England going well also Good job!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

England 5-0. I called it.

 

[Graham]

Great story mate!

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Gun format. England going well also Good job!

Thanks. It's obviously inspired by your Ashes story, which made me pick up this game after I quit in disgust in the aftermath of the 1 run loss to the Windies.

England 5-0. I called it.

Unlucky mate.

Great story mate!

Thanks, glad you like it.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Victoria vs England - Warmup Game

I'm fortunate enough to get a warmup game in order to retool my side a bit ahead of the 3rd test, of course the defeat was disappointing and I think we have room for improvement pending on how people perform against this Victoria side. Their international players are Australia's opening bowlers, Siddle and Mutch. My lineup is:

Mitchell
Henry
Coop
Smith
Beasley
Bishop (c)
Westwood (wk)
Peel
May
Hislop
Bunter

A good performance by any of the backups could get them into the 3rd test XI. Victoria win the toss and bat.

Victoria 314
Wade 102
May 5-71

England 321-6 dec.
Coop 111, Smith 109
Weatherall 2-20

Victoria 254-9 dec.
Blizzard 82
Bunter 4-90, Hislop 4-99

England 97-0
Mitchell 57*

Good performances from Coop, Smith, May and to a lesser extent Bunter and Hislop. Beasley and Westwood both got out cheaply so I don't think there'll be any changes in the batting order, and good news is that we smacked Siddle and Mutch around quite a bit.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Unlucky mate.

Pretty happy with that. I'd hate it if things were too easy.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 3rd Test Match - The WACA

Australia go in unchanged, while we give a 6th test cap to Malcolm Bunter in place of Froggett.

An interesting pitch greets us, it will be cloudy later in day one but otherwise sunny, and the pitch is turning. England win the toss and captain Whitehead remembers the old maxim "when in doubt, bat".

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 3rd Test Match - Day One
BISHOP THE CENTURION AS ENGLAND FINISH STRONGLY

England 270-4
Bishop 113*, Coop 94
Donald 3-61

Phil Bishop and Tim Coop combined for a firebrigade 170 partnership after England sunk to 36-3 early in the morning. Conditions were worse than expected and Donald was getting the ball to swing in to the batsmen viciously, removing both the openers LBW. Whitehead was the key scalp however, and when Siddle induced him to have a swing on just his 2nd ball, it looked like a disasterous miscalculation by the captain. Bishop and Coop were untroubled however, and Smith played a stodgy innings to close out the day after Coop failed to get his richly deserved century.

Siddle celebrates the huge wicket of Whitehead

Australia vs England - 3rd Test Match - Day Two
ENGLAND AHEAD DESPITE POOR BOWLING

England 447
Bishop 151, Coop 94, Smith 94
Donald 5-90

Australia 109-1
Pomersbach 53*
Harris 1-26

A good day on the batting front for England was marred by a lack of penetration from their spin attack, as Australia closed the day 1 wicket down for over 100 runs. Bishop was the first batsman to pass 150 in the series, while Smith followed Coop in being out on 94 after a marvellous innings, Harris playing a good 40 in support. Australia's batsmen were just as efficient, Dublin and Pomersbach put together an opening partnership of 50, and then the Australian captain was able to achieve the same with Mansfield.

Harris shows his frustration as Australia close out the day

Australia vs England - 3rd Test Match - Day Three
AVERAGE AUSTRALIA SLIDING TO DEFEAT

England 447
Bishop 151, Coop 94, Smith 94
Donald 5-90

Australia 356
Pomersbach 67
Bunter 4-105

England 83-2
Whitehead 25*
Donald 1-13

Despite losing both openers early on, England pushed toward victory at the end of the 3rd day, leading by 174 runs with 8 wickets in hand. Three Australians scored half centuries but none passed 67, and it was only Donald's 35 off 27 at the end of the innings, a brutal assault, that gave Australia at least a defendable deficit. At 28-2 Australia could have triggered a collapse, but the old stagers Whitehead and Bishop thwarted such a hope by both ending on 25*.

Whitehead's good tour continued, ending the day unbeaten

Australia vs England - 3rd Test Match - Day Four
ENGLAND IN CONTROL AS AUSTRALIA NEED MIRACLE

England 447
Bishop 151, Coop 94, Smith 94
Donald 5-90

Australia 356
Pomersbach 67
Bunter 4-105

England 310-7 dec.
Bishop 95
Donald 3-53

Australia 78-1
Pomersbach 40*
Hislop 1-34

Australia need an improbable 324 to win the 3rd test on the last day, thanks to Bishop's 95 and a shocking inability from their attack to finish off the tail. At 133-5 Australia had real chance of finishing England off cheaply, but Lane and Bishop took the game away from them. Even at 242-7 there was an opening, but bowlers Harris and Hislop put together an unbeaten partnership of 60 to dash Australian hopes. Hislop then struck early and removed Dublin, but Pomersbach and Mansfield were able to end the day together, a small glimmer of hope for the Australians.

Dublin departed early much to England's delight

Australia vs England - 3rd Test Match - Day Five
INCREDIBLE AUSTRALIA WIN INCREDIBLE VICTORY

England 447
Bishop 151, Coop 94, Smith 94
Donald 5-90

Australia 356
Pomersbach 67
Bunter 4-105

England 310-7 dec.
Bishop 95
Donald 3-53

Australia 402-7
Pomersbach 114
Bunter 4-100

With just over half an hour to go until the end of the last session of the 5th day, Australia won one of the most unlikely victories this ground has seen. Chasing over 400 in the 4th innings and over 300 on the 5th day, Australia salvaged one of the great Ashes wins. Luke Pomersbach played one of the best knocks of his career, richly deserving a century. Moriaty was the other stand out, his unbeaten 88 and brilliant shepherding of the tail helped Australia recover when it seemed all over at 229-5 and 341-6. England's bowling, meanwhile, was poor at best, only Bunter deserving any praise. A 1-0 lead for England has been transformed to a 2-1 defecit, in two tests they should have won.

Moriaty and Donald celebrate hitting the winning runs

MOTM: P Bishop (151 & 95)

 

[Magrat Garlick]

England to petition for four-day Tests in the next series.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 4th Test Match - The MCG

Australia are unchanged again, while Panesar is controversially dropped for Peel for England. Captain Whitehead wins the toss again and chooses to bat on a flat but slow pitch, with cloud cover in the 2nd day expected.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 4th Test Match - Day One
COOK 150 AS ENGLAND LOOK FOR BIG TOTAL

England 274-3
Cook 150*
Donald 1-49

Cook's unbeaten 150 was the story of the day at the MCG, with Phil Bishop's innings of 73 unfortunately curtailed by miscommunication, leading to a run-out. Henry went early in the day to the new ball off Siddle, and while the huge wicket of Whitehead fell at 38-2, Australia couldn't make the breakthrough on such a placid pitch.

Cook celebrates his 2nd century of the series

Australia vs England - 4th Test Match - Day Two
POMERSBACH DEPARTS AFTER ENGLISH DEMOLITION

England 556-5 dec.
Cook 258, Smith 135*
Donald 3-125

Australia 25-1
Dublin 18*
Harris 1-12

Alastair Cook's best test score of 258 combined with Alex Smith's maiden test century saw Australia comprehensively outplayed for yet another day in the series. After the 203 run partnership had ended, James Harris was able to strike by removing Pomersbach for just 2 off 23 balls, giving England hope of forcing the follow-on.

Cook's vital double century was the rock of the innings

Australia vs England - 4th Test Match - Day Three
MANSFIELD TON NOT ENOUGH AS AUSTRALIA FOLLOW ON

England 556-5 dec.
Cook 258, Smith 135*
Donald 3-125

Australia 258
Mansfield 133, Paine 40
Harris 4-96

Australia 17-0
Dublin 8*

Centurion Mansfield was the last man out after three wickets fell in the first four overs of the day to doom Australia to the follow-on. The New South Wales batsman was the stand out performer in an innings in which he was the only to pass 40, as the hosts finished 100 off avoiding the dreaded follow-on. After Whitehead enforced it for the 2nd time in the series, Pomersbach and Dublin were able to see out the day chanceless.

Mansfield was in sparkling form for Australia, unfortunately his teammates weren't

Australia vs England - 4th Test Match - Day Four
AUSTRALIA STILL BEHIND AS TEST ENTERS FINAL DAY

England 556-5 dec.
Cook 258, Smith 135*
Donald 3-125

Australia 258
Mansfield 133, Paine 40
Harris 4-96

Australia 281-6
Lynn 99, Dublin 49
Hislop 4-84

England chipped away with wickets, Hislop taking four of the six to fall on the day, but Australia were still in with a chance of snatching a draw by the end of the day's play. David Lynn was incredibly unfortunate not to record his third test century, unluckily adjuged LBW to a Harris delivery. Despite being into the tail thanks to the wicket, Australia managed to end day four just 6 wickets down and still in the test, if only just.

Hislop shatters Dublin's stumps in one of the rare breakthroughs of the day

Australia vs England - 4th Test Match - Day Five
ENGLAND LEVEL SERIES DESPITE NERVES

England 556-5 dec.
Cook 258, Smith 135*
Donald 3-125

Australia 258
Mansfield 133, Paine 40
Harris 4-96

Australia 337
Lynn 99, Dublin 49
Hislop 5-103

England 40-3
Cook 22*
Siddle 2-12

Harris picked up two wickets in two deliveries in the 8th over of the day to seal Australia's fate, after Hislop had made the breakthrough 5 overs earlier. England were able to withstand a slogging last wicket partnership of 45 between Donald and Mutch, but the batting was more fatalistic than Headingly '81 esque. Even chasing the pathetic target of 40 England lost 3 wickets, Bishop taking 55 balls to record his 7 before being bowled by Siddle. One could only speculate that had Australia put on a reasonable total, England would have had even more difficulty. As it is, the series is now 2-2 heading into the final test at the SCG.

Whitehead recorded a disappointing 3 and out in the 2nd innings

MOTM: A Cook (258 & 22*)

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 5th Test Match - The SCG

Australia have gone with the same XI for the entire series, while England drop the disappointing Henry and replace him with Kevin Mitchelll, also bringing in Panesar for Peel. England win the toss and choose to bat on another SCG turner.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Australia vs England - 5th Test Match - Day One
ENGLAND STUMBLE ON FAIR PITCH

England 253-5
Mitchell 80, Smith 57
Siddle 2-52

England didn't make the most of a good batting wicket on the first day, closing five wickets down for a slow 250 runs. Cook took 127 balls to make his 39 while Whitehead failed to pass 19, it was Kevin Mitchell in his return test who showed most positivity, hitting 80 off 133 balls in an attempt to take England out of the doldrums. When he departed to a beautiful delivery by Siddle and when Coop got out a few overs later, Australia had done just about enough to make the day even.

Kevin Mitchell's was one of the more attacking innings

Australia vs England - 5th Test Match - Day Two
HARRIS OBLITERATES AUSTRALIA

England 336
Mitchell 80, Bishop 63
Siddle 3-64, Pomersbach 2-25

Australia 202-8
Mansfield 73, Paine 61
Harris 6-49

Luke Pomersbach brought himself on to bowl and took two wickets in successive deliveries, including the last recognised batsman in Bishop to restrict England's innings, but his name wasn't the headlines. On what was predicted to be a spinner's pitch, Harris ripped the new ball from his captain's arms and finished his first 10-over spell with figures of 10-3-26-5, transforming the game totally and possibly deciding the fate of the Ashes. Paine and Mansfield frustrated with a century partnership, but that was broken late on in the day by Hislop.

Harris celebrates during his brilliant match-turning spell

Australia vs England - 5th Test Match - Day Three
ENGLAND BATTING DEMORALISES AUSTRALIA

England 336
Mitchell 80, Bishop 63

Australia 211
Mansfield 73, Paine 61
Harris 7-56

England 245-2
Whitehead 108* Bishop 80*
Siddle 1-50

Harris and Hislop finished off the Australian tail in good order at the start of day 3, then Whitehead and Bishop pushed on to take the precious urn out of Australia's grasp. The pair were on an unbeaten partnership of 164 at the end of the day's play, as Australia were thouroughly demoralised by such a confident batting display.

Whitehead is over the moon with his 3rd day century

Australia vs England - 5th Test Match - Day Four
NO PERTH LIKELY WITH AUSTRALIA IN DESPIAR

England 336
Mitchell 80, Bishop 63

Australia 211
Mansfield 73, Paine 61
Harris 7-56

England 433-6 dec.
Bishop 148, Whitehead 108, Coop 101
Siddle 2-83

Australia 111-2
Dublin 58
Panesar 1-14

Even though Whitehead departed first ball of the day, it was not a portent for Australia as the incoming batsman proceeded to make another century against this weary, battered and demoralised attack. The catching was poor as well, both Bishop and Coop were dropped, but even after they departed Smith and Lane were content to blast for a few overs before declaring. Australia needed to make a good start, and Panesar taking the wicket of Dublin in the 3rd over before the end of play was a cruel blow.

Dublin acknowloges the SCG crowd after he is bowled by Panesar

Australia vs England - 5th Test Match - Day Five
ENGLAND RETAIN ASHES WITH SERIES VICTORY

England 336
Mitchell 80, Bishop 63

Australia 211
Mansfield 73, Paine 61
Harris 7-56

England 433-6 dec.
Bishop 148, Whitehead 108
Siddle 2-83

Australia 374
Moriaty 118, Paine 77
Bunter 5-153, Panesar 4-90

Australia had a good go at the draw, but were just over half an hour short as once the 150 partnership between Moriaty and Paine crumbled, Australia had nothing else to give. 5 wickets down at tea, Australia could have made it but the spinners got their revenge on an atrocious pitch. Moriaty's century was a great effort, but his only able support was from Paine on such a terrible pitch.

Peter Siddle hits out in vain as Australia crumble

MOTM: J Harris (7-56 & 1-59)

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Man of the Series: Phil Bishop (705 runs @ 78.33, 3 centuries, 3 fifties)

Australian Man of the Series: Malcolm Mansfield (569 runs @ 56.9, 2 centuries, 4 fifties)

Worst Man of the Series: Geoff Swinburn RM (7 wickets @ 101.85)