one-zero, four more to go!

From difficulty to ease of a victory! What a way it has been achieved and what a wonderful four and a half days.
Australia played well indeed. England had their moments for almost 3 days, and some controversial calls went against them, but the beauty of this game was something else.

1. The game is won by aussies on the first session of the 5th day, on the same day when we lost our beloved brother Phil Hughes three years ago. On rememberence of him, every aussie were playing with a black armband, mentioned PH in it.

you will be remembered always, hughesy!

2. Warner's tribute to Phil when he was on 63. Hughes was batting on 63 not out when he got hit in the head. On rememberence of that, warner watched the skies when he was on 63. 

Once a mate, always a mate!

3. The way the debutant Cameron Bancroft played the second innings. He was terrific in drives, He was staying all pumped up with positive energy, even when Anderson thowed him with returning ball. He stayed firm just like a wrestler, never down to any challenge! I guess we got a better batter and strong lad than Matty Renshaw, the baby face. This bloke can bat, and even can agree and move on with someone who was headbutted him (Jonny Bairstow). Way to go Cameron, give warner better partnership, wanna see you guys perform more!

New partners in crime

4. Moen's post match press conference was absolute gold. English media were trying to make use of the controversial call of his on the line runout. But he responded well with good choice of words. At the end of the day, you have to follow what the umpires say, and you follow cricket rules as equal as how you follow the game! Absolutely the true gentleman! We have less heads have this great understanding of cricket! Salute to you sir!

5. Steve Smithy Boy! the only centurion of the game and the way he got that was fantastic. Joe root's captaincy was equally challenging. I guess he is the only captain attacked Steve's ability of playing from the middle stump, Smith's free flowing legside was all protected by Root; He placed 6 fielders in the leg side and balled with his pace barrage on the left side or middle for about 2 hours continuously on the third day! Smithy had batted equally well, showed patiency in leaving the bouncers, and some placements were delight to watch. more centuries to come Smithy! 

Run Machine

A victory well earned. See you at Adelaide.

Rest in Peace champ!

~Shanan

Ashes starts tomorrow

The ones who talk much will not deliver as much as they talk. This is my logic, probably the one the current Kangaroos should apply it to themselves too.
The series is evenly poised with both the teams have their pros and cons equally.
But the Aussie camp has begun the talk banter, barraging the pommies with their "scar" talks and "fear" talks.
The Aussies are very clever in talking about one series that had happened in 2013, and forgot the rest of the series those happened after 2009 until current day.

These are the results of the Ashes series results since 2009 :

65	2009	England	8 July 2009	5	1	2	2	England	England
66	2010–11	Australia	25 November 2010	5	1	3	1	England	England
67	2013	England	10 July 2013	5	0	3	2	England	England
68	2013–14	Australia	21 November 2013	5	5	0	0	Australia	Australia
69	2015	England	5 July 2015	5	2	3	0	England	England

The ultimate truth is, the men in yellow could manage only one test series win ever since 2009, thanks to Mitchel Johnson.

Guys like Lyon, Handscomb and David warner, please get back to the winning ways than playing mind games to the opponent, talks won't cook rice!

As an Aussie fan, I would like to see a series win that is long time due! However the reality is, England have more chances to win this.

They have the best 4 of them playing the ashes for at least for the 4th time. Joe Root, Alister Cook, James Anderson, and Stuart Broad. They have the best all rounders of this era, Moen Ali, Ben stokes (Who is not in the squad though) and Chris Woakes.

They have the better wicket keeper batsman in Barristaw.

Comparatively, Aussie army have less experienced Ashes squad.

Selection was a surprise, to bring tim Paine back into the Squad when he is 30+ in age; brought in Bancroft for the test minded Renshaw (though he didn't perform well in shield matches).

Dropping wade is good, but he is more vocal than the other options, his famous "nice gary" would have done tricks at the gabba when Lyon bowls. 

More over, the pacemen attack of Aussies never performed together. Let's see, it is gonna be a tough match to win for Aussies, all depends on the mighty Mitchel Starc.

Even though Englishmen are advantageous in all departments, I feel the home crowd and "doing the australia way" would earn victories for Australia, I could only hope!

Hala Australia!

~Shanan