Australia wrapped up a dominant Ashes series last night, emphatically tearing through England’s batting lineup which suffered yet another collapse.
The series finished 4-0 as Pat Cummins’ side inflicted one of the worst Ashes defeats on England in recent memory.
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Scott Boland was a surprise superstar to emerge from the series, Justin Langer led the side to yet another victory and Pat Cummins debunked the myth that fast bowlers cannot be captains.
Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser have unfortunately fallen down the pecking order while Joe Root’s captaincy is under fire as well as England’s planning and tactics coming into the series.
Fox Sports has analysed the series and picked the winners and losers after Australia’s dominant display to reclaim the urn.
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WINNERS
Scott Boland
Amazingly, Boland came into the series as a third replacement quick.
The Victorian wasn’t even in the Ashes squad but then Covid struck.
Pat Cummins was ruled a close contact after dining near a positive case in Adelaide and was ruled out of the Test,
It meant a call up for Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson after Josh Hazlewood was also ruled out with injury.
With the second Test taken into a fifth day, Richardson and Neser were then rested for the Boxing Day Test and one of the more unlikely debuts was realised. The rest is history.
Boland took 18 wickets at an average of 9.5, including the scalp of Joe Root four times, to complete one of the most incredible openings to a career.
The 32-year-old went from being an unlikely candidate for a Test call-up to being just the second bowler since 1888 to take 15-plus wickets at an average of under 10 in an Ashes series.
The Victorian is set to be rewarded with a central contract worth up to $800,000 and is also one of the hottest names on the market for county teams to sign.
“He will have half a dozen counties after him, mark my words,‘’ Jason Gillespie said.
“If I was still coaching in county cricket, I would certainly be on the blower to him, that‘s for sure.”
Boland is now a household name and will be a favourite of almost every young quick across the country after his incredible showings in this Ashes series.
Justin Langer
Langer came into this series under fire and fighting to keep his job as Australian coach.
The former Test opener is off-contract after the tour of Pakistan and internal leaks and rumours swirling that players weren’t happy with his coaching style brought about intense speculation he may not be offered a new deal,
But now, after Australia’s complete dominance of England, Langer can breathe a sigh of relief adding another trophy to his resume.
During his tenure, Langer has brought the side out of the Cape Town saga, won the T20 World Cup and now a thumping Ashes series win.
“He’s been doing a fantastic job, we absolutely love JL,” Pat Cummins said.
“He’s been really great through the World Cup and the Ashes. Honestly, it’s not been a talking point at all within the camp.
“The plan has always been to chat about it after the Ashes, so the powers that be, I’m sure, will chat at some stage.
“But he’s been fantastic for us and the boys love having him around.”
Australia will be hoping to take their brilliant Test form into their upcoming tour of Pakistan and a solid performance on tour would undoubtedly quell any remaining doubts about Langer’s position.
Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins has been brilliant with ball in hand and in his role as the newly-appointed captain of the Test side.
Prior to his inevitable selection, many pundits raised the question: can a fast bowler be a captain?
Being Australia’s premier quick, pundits were worried the captaincy may take away from his lethal ability with ball in hand.
Well, Cummins quickly proved all doubters wrong making solid judgement calls and taking 21 wickets at 18.04 across the series.
Being the number one Test bowler, it would have been a stretch to think that Australia’s golden boy could become even more valuable to the team, but he is now.
Cummins will continue as Test captain for the foreseeable future and can expect more difficult challenges going forward, but if we have learnt one thing about the wirey quick this series, doubt him at your own peril.
Australian curators
Pitches are generally always a contentious point in any Ashes series.
After all, it was less than four years ago that the MCG was threatened with losing its Test status after a dour drawn Test during the 2018/19 Ashes series.
This series couldn’t have been any further from that disappointment.
Every pitch provided a fascinating contest between bat and ball. While it is clear bowlers gained the upper hand over the course of the series, runs could be scored. Travis Head proved this by claiming the man of the series award.
Across the five matches it seemed the Australian side was able to score solid totals but still cause an England collapse time and time again with brilliant seam position and variation.
As this entertaining series comes to a close, curators of each of the hosting grounds should be pleased with the pitch they prepared.
LOSERS:
Jhye Richardson & Michael Neser
Heading into the Ashes, Richardson and Neser were seen as the next in line for a coveted spot in Australia’s fast bowling cartel.
When Hazlewood went down with injury and Cummins was ruled out as a Covid close contact they got their chance.
Richardson took his maiden Test five-wicket haul in Adelaide while Neser took two wickets in a tidy showing on debut.
But despite their solid performances, both find themselves further down the pecking order than they were before the start of the series.
The reason? Scott Boland.
The ever-present trio of Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins will most likely continue for seasons to come with Scott Boland emerging as the backup for the foreseeable future.
While it may see Neser’s Test career end with the solitary match in the baggy green, Richardson has time on his side and we will likely see the wirey young gun in years to come.
Joe Root
Despite being England’s leading run-scorer this series, there will be no joy for the captain of the touring side.
He continued his drought, having never scored a century on Australian soil while losing an Ashes series as captain resoundingly.
Root also took over Alaistair Cook this series with the most games ever captaining England, but his tactics and bowling changes were called into question.
Pundits have been scathing in review of Root’s team selection and decision making, with some even calling for him to stand down.
“But the question is, could he have done more, as captain, to influence the course of matches, and ultimately, is he the right man to lead England going forward?” The Times’ Simon Hughes wrote.
“There have been obvious mistakes in terms of selection and decision-making — the teams selected for Brisbane and Adelaide, the decision to bat first at the Gabba are easier to criticise in hindsight, and also not entirely attributable to Root alone.
“Root will know he hasn’t managed to make the most of (limited) resources and will reflect that, in the interests of the team and his own sanity, that it may be a worthwhile idea to let someone else have a go while he still has a full head of hair.”
England’s planning and tactics
England’s planning and team selection came under fire from the very first day of this series, leaving the veteran duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson out.
The criticism continued as Jack Leach’s position in the side was also scrutinised.
He took a pounding in Brisbane and was then left out of the team for Adelaide where dry conditions would have provided the best chance for the bespectacled star to make an impact.
England coach Chris Silverwood and Joe Root have copped a barrage of criticism throughout this series about their resting policies and again were under fire after leaving James Anderson out in Hobart.
The green wicket and pink ball would have been the perfect combination for England’s all-time leading wicket taker to thrive, but it didn’t eventuate.
Time will tell whether Silverwood and Root remain in their respective positions, but there are already calls for both to step down after one of England’s worst Test defeats.
“There has been little sense in the past few weeks that anyone is prepared to take responsibility for a tour that has gone horribly wrong,” Mike Atherton wrote for The Times prior to the Hobart Test.
“The players have thrown their support behind the captain, who enjoys the backing of the ECB. Giles went into defensive, excuse-seeking mode during his only press conference in Melbourne, and now Root has suggested that Silverwood should carry on, despite the coach sounding out of his depth. All very cosy.”
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