Well, having just reread my comments later down I admit I said I thought it would have been five nil instead of hoped! Mea culpa, however in my defence I wasn't the only one to state we would get a thrashing Ozzie. I think all the English media and most of the general public did as well. Happy to discuss the merits or demerits if the bantams! As I said we have actually reached Wembley in a FINAL more recently than a certain other Yorkshire team! Laugh as much as you want about THAT fact!

Everything was right for England apart from first innings earlier collapse. It's all gone according to the plan

Some interesting thoughts there Elephants Gerald, a few comments in reply:

“By Adelaide England had pretty much given up and the Aussies smelt blood. But it was an immense bowling/fielding effort that won it for the Aussies”.

True it was the bowling attack that kept getting 20 wickets throughout the series, but also a very defiant tail which often rescued a poor start to score 400+ giving the bowlers some room to operate. Especially true of Haddin whose keeping and batting contribution was a huge plus for Australia, while Prior was dropping catches and swatting duck eggs.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Now the bowlers are not firing on all cylinders AND England are being more aggressive with the bat things take on a different picture.”

Different conditions for batting and bowling. Australian bowlers have traditionally failed to extract the seam movement the locals can and good bowlers often look pretty ordinary. In contrast, the English bowlers last series were consistently far too short and wide, not really putting the batsmen under sustained pressure and letting the tail off the hook when they had made early inroads. Similarly, Australian batsmen have always found the seaming ball in England a challenge, particularly the lower order. If Australia’s top order don’t score runs in the remaining matches, I don’t expect much support from the tail.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I can't believe Darren Lehmann sent his team in so under prepared. A lot of work to do over the next few days.”

Old time tours would have more lead up games to become accustomed to local conditions, but a tour of WI was considered enough after a full domestic summer and then the WC for many. Two easy wins in different conditions may prove costly.

Afridi recently pointed out Australia’s shortcomings playing away from home, highlighting their poor results on the subcontinent. The same could be said of most sides though, particularly if you look at the results of the subcontinent nations in Australia. Almost chalk and cheese, unbeatable at home, hopeless away. The obvious exception to this was Australia recent win in SA which probably surprised Australians more than anyone else.

Which brings me to drbantams next comment that the press and public expected to be flogged by Australia this time round. I can’t see why. No one here really gave Australia much chance of winning back the Ashes last series (let alone 5-0, which was really just a nice Christmas present) when compared to the results of the previous 10 years or so. A wounded and embarrassed England team were always going to regroup and on home conditions, would always be difficult to beat, regardless of the previous series results.

Look at the last tour to England, 3-0, then 5-0 at home. Maybe that's why we enjoy the unpredictable nature of an Ashes battle and the banter that goes with it. Although I long for a series which ends 2-1, with a couple of exciting draws, and is decided on the final day. Even at the risk of a loss, it would better than a 5-0 disappointment.

And finally, drbantam, a bit off topic, but it seems you have an unusual team there, they play their Cup Final in the first round and it’s all downhill from there. The only time they fill the ground is their big neighbours are in town. I heard Bradford is a small town full of Leeds supporters. Is that true?

Aus's bowling attack can win you game 90% of the time IF they are bolwing on those australian pitches. Here in England they need a bowler that can consistently bowl on the outside stump line and swing the ball. Harris did that very well last time aus were here, but I dont see this Aus attack do that well for a longer period of time to get England out cheaply.

Another problem with Aus, is their batting. In australia and other places where the ball doesnt swing much most of the aussie batsmen can play attacking cricket at a good strike rate.

Will be amazed if Aus come back from this defeat now. Can see Eng winning by 3-1.

Ha ha very funny Ozzie, the difference with Bradford is we actually manage to make a profit every year unlike Leeds who make monumental losses and still can't move from the Championship!
Onto Cricket again....I think key for the Aussies next test is to lose Watson (awful, can't get his legs out of the way!) and hope Starc is available, as the bowling will be awful without him. And - also hope Johnson bowls better (he can't bowl WORSE surely?) Marsh for Watson for me. Your right though Vidu, Harris WAS a very key man. I thought he was a fabulous bowler, had to be really as Yorkshire were interested in him before he had his injury

Just a quick thought. We played awesomely well in the !st Test against the Windies and got hammered in the 2nd. Played awesomely well in the 1st Test against the Kiwis and got hammered in the 2nd. I'm just hoping this isn't the 3rd time we see that happen. I think Cook is weak as a captain and I fear that if things look tough on the 1st day at Lords he'll be clueless and unable to lift his men. I think he's World Class with the bat but really very poor as a leader and tactician. Add in the fact there's no such thing as an easy to beat Australian Team and I'd say it's far too early for England to crow. This is a long series and Australia will have learnt a lot at Cardiff and come back much stronger at Lords, a ground we have only won against them at once since 1934.

Twice actually, the last two ashes series in
England in fact.

The Aussies took there eyes of the match & believed the prematch press.. Did you forget the 700 test wickets for Anderson and Broad, the 9,000 test runs of Cook, or Roots terrific form?

Nobody is seriously crowing this early in the contest.

No, can't hear any Aussies atm..

Try and keep up with the conversation wetherby, you only need to look to the top of the page to see an Aussie's contribution to the debate

Perhaps a bit more reading and a bit less dog bothering mate

LBW - Leg Before Watson
DRS - Don't Review Shane

Nobody forgot anything, who exactly was predicting 5-0 to Australia because most of the former Australian cricketers I have heard thought it would be a tight series.

Neo

LBW - Leg Before Watson
DRS - Don't Review Shane

----------------------------------

Something I saw on twitter, rather amusing

I expect Mitchell Marsh will come in for him at Lords so those jokes will be put on hold for now.

Poor show by the Aussies not taking up England's offer of a beer after the test. They're hard to warm to at the best of times but this just hardens attitudes against them. Thought this sort of aloofness had retired with Ponting.

What nonsense.

I think it's a good tradition, but can understand why Clarke decided against him. Will be interesting to see if the Aussies return the offer if they win at Lords, however..

Against it*

I CAN'T I'M VERY SURPRISED AT THAT.......

POOR FORM FROM THE AUSSIES FOR ME......

Looking like Brad Haddin wont be playing at Lords.. out for personal reasons.

Aussies will hand the gloves to rookie Peter Nevill.

Boost for the England boys I'd say

Phil Neville would do better

Hope it isn't bad news back at home for Haddin.

This new rookie keeper will have a baptism of fire at Lords. It will be interesting to see if he can cope. Haddin obviously had things on his mind in light of today's news. I think it may work out for Australia and the new kid will do well.

"This new rookie keeper will have a baptism of fire at Lords"

a couple of drunken boo's and a round of sarcastic appluase/......wouldent call it a baptism of fire

comment by Lefty (U17934)
posted 2 hours, 31 minutes ago
"This new rookie keeper will have a baptism of fire at Lords"

a couple of drunken boo's and a round of sarcastic appluase/......wouldent call it a baptism of fire
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was thinking more along the lines of some wild wides from young Mr Starc actually...😏