Ashes Trophy Stays With England

England retained the Ashes – thanks to the drawn third test . A draw meant Aussies cannot win the current series and the best possible result could be the series can be tied at 2-2 and in that event , the previous winner gets to take the trophy. England having won the previous series clinched the title. Aussies did far better than what they did in the first two tests. The first step was to win the toss and bat and put up a total that will create the pressure on England. Australia did just that. But England held on – thanks to a largely unlike Kevin Pietersen century that was patient and at times his normal self. Aussies bowling was much better but it is becoming clearer and clearer that they lack a” Warne “in the attack. Nathan Lyon was a big disappointment. Had he pulled his weight in , England could have been put under considerable pressure. England batted the first inning out with two fold purpose – save the follow on or reach a total that will make it difficult for Clarke to enforce a follow on and bat as long as they can and play out time. The English knew that the weather will be their benefactor. As the Aussies slogged to set a fourth innings target, weather conditions turned foul and in the Fifth days play only twenty overs was possible and that meant Aussies could not bowl out the English for the second time. While the Aussies can blame the weather ,the umpires and so on, it is their own undoing in the first two tests that has caused the Trophy loss. They can afford a smile as well – after losing 14 tests or so on the trot , they managed to draw one ! England can celebrate the Ashes win—the played well , had the noses in front always, knew what they were doing , had the right balance of batters and bowlers and had Lady Luck on their side as well. The fact is if you plan well , believe yourself and back yourself up , everything goes your way. No more coverage of the balance two tests unless the Aussies pull a rabbit ! The DRS – what an havoc it is creating. I realized that technology can help but the decision to press the “Green or Red” light is still with the Umpires and they can have fun too as they did in this test ! Some of the decisions that were given after review of technology can never be explained .