Ashes 3rd & 4th day review - The Return of the Kings

"At 100 for 3 in their second innings we had an opportunity to take the game by the scruff of the neck, but we didn't and that became the story of the game."

-Michael Vaughan (Cricinfo)

From an opening day that conjured dreams of a changing of guard to a shambolic collapse that saw the last 4 batsmen out for nought, England have risen and fallen like many among the tribe of Atherton and Hussain. Like India discovered last year after being beaten at home, this Australian team only gives you a few bites at the cherry and if you don't take them, you might as well consign yourselves to starving. And to know that the old tormentors, Mcgrath and Warne did it again so easily for the Aussies must not only be worrying for England, but must be a huge moral dampener for Harmy and co. who bowled their hearts out to make a match out of this.

The third day started with the Aussies on 279/7 with an overall lead of 314. It was generally agreed that anything under 400 would keep England interested and the Aussies a little wary with Flintoff and Pieterson in the ranks. But Simon Katich, who has easily been the best Aussie batsman on view in the first test, batted beautifully and coaxed another 105 runs out of the last 3. It's a tribute to the Aussie spirit that even Mcgrath (Avg. 7.12) scored a vital 20 to contribute with the bat. England started well enough to see off Mcgrath and Lee and finally post a fighting opening stand. But as soon as Warne came on, the complexion of the match changed. Both Trescothick and Strauss looked visibly uncomfortable and Tresco decided that an all out attack would serve him well. But that didn't last long and after Strauss played a strange shot and was brilliantly caught by Lee, a procession of out of form batsmen followed. Only Pieterson redeemed himself with a typically attacking innings of 64, but that couldn't make up for his match turning dropped catch of Clarke. And the tail was not as much blown away as it was scornfully thrown away by Mcgrath like a kid tired of his new toy. 239 runs is a huge margin of defeat and Vaughan and Fletcher have plenty to think about.

But it's not all rosy for the Aussies. Hayden and Ponting are still struggling with their game, Gillespie sleep walked through this test match and Lee looks a much better bowler but still lacks the all important ingredient of a great bowler; the ability to run through a side. Take Mcgrath and Warne out of this attack and the cupboard looks bare for the Aussies. But while these two bowlers are around, as much as we would like to see them show their age, let's celebrate them for their incredible achievements and their absolute genius with a ball in hand. The game is richer for that. Final shot...

"I wouldn't say we've destroyed their confidence, but we've gone some way towards doing that."

-Ricky Ponting (Cricinfo)