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Re: Ashes 5th Test: Thursday July 27-Monday 31, The Oval
My thoughts are aligned with those above, after one of the more arduous touring spells in recent Australian test history, this feels like the minimum acceptable result that gives us a pass. We fought it out in India, the WTC is a big tick and we retained the urn, but this was the side that should have won on English soil.
This feels like the zenith of this Australian cycle for me - this was the legacy tour. Warner should go now (and if the selectors have any integrity, they'll make the decision for him) but over the course of 24 months we'll see most of Smith, Khawaja, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon start to exit the international scene. It might not be the Waugh side of 01 or the Ponting side of 06, but collectively, that is a raft of cricketers with excellent records that we'll need to replace. I think we're going to see one of the biggest rejuvenative periods since the 06-08 period. And for the first time in a long time, spin bowling depth might be our most bankable area - we should be concerned about what our batting and fast bowling prospects aged in that 25-29 range.
I think what makes it more hollow is that if we're honest, we're bloody lucky to escape with 2-2. England have dominated these final three tests and I agree, they're not close to us talent wise. This was the series for Marnus, Head, Carey and Cummins to grab hold of and dominate - they'll all walk away feeling like England had their number.
My thoughts are aligned with those above, after one of the more arduous touring spells in recent Australian test history, this feels like the minimum acceptable result that gives us a pass. We fought it out in India, the WTC is a big tick and we retained the urn, but this was the side that should have won on English soil.
This feels like the zenith of this Australian cycle for me - this was the legacy tour. Warner should go now (and if the selectors have any integrity, they'll make the decision for him) but over the course of 24 months we'll see most of Smith, Khawaja, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon start to exit the international scene. It might not be the Waugh side of 01 or the Ponting side of 06, but collectively, that is a raft of cricketers with excellent records that we'll need to replace. I think we're going to see one of the biggest rejuvenative periods since the 06-08 period. And for the first time in a long time, spin bowling depth might be our most bankable area - we should be concerned about what our batting and fast bowling prospects aged in that 25-29 range.
I think what makes it more hollow is that if we're honest, we're bloody lucky to escape with 2-2. England have dominated these final three tests and I agree, they're not close to us talent wise. This was the series for Marnus, Head, Carey and Cummins to grab hold of and dominate - they'll all walk away feeling like England had their number.
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