For the first time in 86 years, the Ashes has seen a whitewash. And from the moment the cricket became a sideshow to the three retirements, it was always clear that there would be mini battles that would be played out.

And so there were. McGrath vs Warne, Langer vs Hayden and not for who will win it, but who will complete the final rites. As it turned out, McGrath got the last wicket and Hayden scored the winning runs. But the biggest result of this Test would be that Australia have come to the end of an era.

And there is finally hope for a new generation of players to make their mark. And this applies to players from other countries too! Maybe now someone can beat Australia!

Australia’s next Test assignment is an easy one against Zimbabwe (albeit away) in September. But thereafter come 6 Tests against Sri Lanka (2) . . . → Read More: The humiliation is complete

And we are not just referring to the new year (oh, yes Happy New Year!)… but more retirements are now happening and the latest announcement comes from Justin Langer. This effectively breaks what is arguably Australia’s best opening pair since Boon and Marsh! Any replacements in sight? Maybe Matthew Elliott… he would still be just about 32. Or Greg Blewett… 34?
Technorati tags: Australia, retirements, Langer, Justin Langer

. . . → Read More: Told you so!

First it was Martyn. Then went Warnie. Then it will be McGrath. That leaves the current Australian team with only a few seasoned campaigners, all of who are well into their 30s. Let’s face it, Ponting’s not exactly young at 32. Neither are Gilchrist, Hayden or even Hussey for that matter. Maybe Hussey has the most time left.

But 12 months down the line, the Australian line-up could well look dramatically different…

Australia Test XI in Perth (3rd Test, Ashes 2006)

Matthew Hayden (35 yrs)
Justin Langer (36 yrs)
Ricky Ponting (32 yrs)
Michael Hussey (31 yrs)
Michael Clarke (25 yrs)
Andrew Symonds (31 yrs)
Adam Gilchrist (35 yrs)
Shane Warne (37 yrs; retiring for sure)
Brett Lee (30 yrs)
Stuart Clark (31 yrs)
Glenn McGrath (36 yrs; retiring for sure)

This would remain largely unchanged (perhaps with the exception of Andrew Symonds) till the final Ashes Test, but the next Test Australia will play after that would see a very different side indeed…

Matthew . . . → Read More: Where does Australia go from here?

Australia snatched victory from certain draw and have almost regained the Ashes. Heroic performances by Mike Hussey, Ricky Ponting and that wizard of spin Shane Warne saw Australia snatch an incredible 6-wicket win in the 2nd Test.

Interestingly, in the last series too, it was the second Test that had provided a lot of nailbiting moments… just this time, the tide is flowing the other way!

Here are some interesting reactions from around the world:

Six & Out: And again please

24×7 Cricket: Pommie bashing!

24×7 Cricket: Nice record to have

The Burnt Bail: Hussey guides the Aussies!

Cricinfo: The greatest win, say Ponting and Warne

Cricinfo: Flintoff shocked!

In other developments, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohd. Asif find that they are now ban-less. Meaning, the doping ban on them has been lifted [News]. And how did this happen?

An appeals tribunal appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has exonerated fast bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif of doping offences . . . → Read More: Losing the impossible and winning the improbable!

I sure hope I do not jinx this for England, but they are looking good in the ongoing 2nd Ashes Test. Paul Collingwood is close to a hundred and one hopes he does get there this time around. Kevin Pietersen is also looking in good touch and might just make the Aussies pay with a big score. I sure hope so!

But more than the English batting display, what interests me is how the English bowling would fare. On a pitch where the Australians are struggling on Day 1, there is a good chance that the Aussies may just pile up a massive total putting pressure on England. And then again, they have that wizard Shane Warne who can make the most of a Day 4/5 pitch if Australia does manage to get a massive total.

Whatever the case, the series seems to be well and truly alive and England may just . . . → Read More: England looking good

A bit unfair, no to write off the England team after just one day, no? Especially if we were to remember how the last series panned out… And day 2 has not been exactly one-sided now, has it?

And if music is your thing, here’s a song about Brett Lee killing Freddie Flintoff. Sing it to the tune of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Brett Lee just killed a man

Bowled a ball around his head,

hit his temple, now he’s dead.

Freddie, your time has come

Your Ashes urn was here but now it’s blown away

Technorati : Ashes, Australian Media, England v Australia

. . . → Read More: Not really fair, is it?