An Ashes Summary

The Test Series Of The Decade

C.T. Lovell

2-2. STUART BROAD RETIRES. MITCHELL MARSH returns to Test Cricket in glorious fashion. An Ashes series of immense entertainment has come to an end with a draw and Australia have retained the Ashes for the fourth series in a row.

The fifth and final test finished disappointingly for Australia as Chris Woakes bowled England to victory in a final day 10-wicket collapse. Australia’s openers, David Warner and Usman Khawaja, had set themselves up beautifully to chase down a 400-run total to win the Ashes on England soil for the first time in 22 years. The pitch had only improved over the five days and heading into Day 2, Australia was perfectly poised to take the urn home 3-1. Yet, once again, Australia failed to grasp an opportunity to devastate England’s hopes of a successful series. Following a controversial ball change, England’s Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali ruined Australia’s hopes of bringing home the urn with an outright win.

After three wickets had fallen, hope began to rekindle in the hearts of Australians. Travis Head and Steve Smith, two of the top ten batters in the world, began to build a partnership. Runs were flowing and the momentum began to shift back in favour of the Australians. However, after an almost 100-run stand, Travis Head pushed harshly at a ripping off-break from Moeen Ali and was dismissed for 43. The last six wickets fell for a measly 70 runs.

Elation was evident on the face of Ben Stokes as his team drew the series against all odds. Not only had he managed to draw the series after being down 2-0, their liberal, and at times, ludicrous style of cricket (coined Bazball), was affirmed as a strategy that was able to succeed against the strongest of opponents. Following criticism after the first two tests, England backed their batters and ball-by-ball they stripped Australia’s pride through their rapid 360-degree scoring. Ultimately, it was too little, too late and the urn was again ripped away from the fingertips of the English.

Zak Crawley was England’s man of the series after scoring 480 runs at an average of 53.3. His 189 at Old Trafford was the innings of the series. He batted freely, scoring at a strike rate of almost 104, and although there were a few sharp chances, he left the Australians helpless and without a solution.

For the Aussies, Mitchell Starc was their man of the series. Taking 23 wickets, the most of any bowler, including a five-wicket haul in the third test, it was a relief to see him perform outside of Australia. 

Finally, perhaps the biggest story of this enthralling series, Stuart Broad, has retired from the world cricketing stage. With his infamous headband fluttering, and quintessential English rain clouds looming, Stuart Broad ran in for the final time in his cricketing career to dismiss Alex Carey, Australia’s 10th wicket. After a bombshell announcement in the middle of the final test, all eyes had turned towards Broad’s final day in the whites. His exit was full of style, having taken 604 test wickets at an average of 27.7 over a career spanning 16 years and nine Ashes series. One of the most outstanding fast bowlers of this generation, whose trademark was nicking off the left-handed batter, hangs up the spikes (and the bandana) and makes way for a new generation of seam bowlers. Jimmy Anderson, however, has shown no sign of slowing down, even at age 41 and despite a rather mediocre series with the ball.

Ultimately, Pat Cummins and his men played a series to be proud of. Although it was disappointing not to have won, it was no mean feat to draw a series overseas against a formidable England line-up. For England, they will be encouraged by their performances in the last three test matches as they look to defeat India beginning in January next year. 

Bring on the Cricket World Cup.