The morning started with England at 251/5 needing 253 more runs to win their 1st match of the series with only 2 established batsmen left to get out- Ben Stokes and Prior who were on the crease before the close of play on Day 4. It took Australia 18 overs to get their 1st breakthrough of the day, not before Prior and Stokes had added 45 runs to their overnight score. Jhonson bowled a good length ball, wide of the stumps, Prior swished at it and nicked it. There was an audible noise, the ball was just too quick for him, didn't need to play out there but those attacking instincts got the better of him. Bresnan walked in with England still having 72 overs more to play a draw. Ben Stokes brought up England's first century of the series earlier in the day. At lunch England were looking good at 332/6 with Bresnan and Stokes providing the resistance England needed to atleast avoid a defeat if not win the match. Lyon got Stokes caught behind in the 3rd over after lunch and thus ended a marathon knock from Stokes who made 120 runs after spending 256 minutes at the crease. Swann came in with England at 336/7 and chances of avoiding a defeat almost vanished for England. Soon after, Lyon got the better of his rival counterpart Swann. There was a little turn, the ball took the inside edge onto pad and it looped to short leg for a pretty easy dismissal, easy catch it was for Smith and Lyon chipped in again with a useful wicket. This meant the arrival of Stuart Broad , braving his well-strapped boot. In the very next over, Jhonson got the wicket of Bresnan. It was a slower ball, 82mph, Bresnan went forward, pushing hard and presented a chance to Rogers at mid-off who dived and took a fine catch to his right, that was a perfect example of how well Australia have fielded in this series, a marvellous catch it was. So, this took Australia just one wicket away from getting the Urn back at the earliest opportunit, just James Anderson to knock over. Anderson couldnt provide much resistance either getting out in Jhonson's next over completing a 4-wicket inning haul for Jhonson. It was a back of a length ball on the stumps, Anderson squared up and popped up a chance into the leg side which Bailey dived forward to take and hence Australia regained the Ashes. Pace did it for Anderson who got it high on the bat and presented a straightforward catch to Bailey and fittingly it was Mitchell Johnson who finished it off.
Australia have completed the turnaround and a 150-run victory has put them 3-0 up and enough to regain the Ashes for the first time since 2006-07. Mitchell Johnson has a tear in his eye as his celebrates, he has been the difference between these sides and the reason why almost the same teams have produced a markedly different result from the last series.
Man of the Match went to Steve Smith for that century on day one which set the game up for Australia. He described the knock as the innings of his life.
So before Christmas, the Ashes are done and dusted and now Australia have the chance to push for another whitewash. But Melbourne and Sydney are two grounds where England have traditionally been more comfortable and they will be desperate to respond having been totally outplayed so far. Australia are on a roll and head to Boxing Day in fine fettle with players in form and confidence high.
Australia have completed the turnaround and a 150-run victory has put them 3-0 up and enough to regain the Ashes for the first time since 2006-07. Mitchell Johnson has a tear in his eye as his celebrates, he has been the difference between these sides and the reason why almost the same teams have produced a markedly different result from the last series.
Man of the Match went to Steve Smith for that century on day one which set the game up for Australia. He described the knock as the innings of his life.
So before Christmas, the Ashes are done and dusted and now Australia have the chance to push for another whitewash. But Melbourne and Sydney are two grounds where England have traditionally been more comfortable and they will be desperate to respond having been totally outplayed so far. Australia are on a roll and head to Boxing Day in fine fettle with players in form and confidence high.
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