Australia Triumphed at Leeds Test!

The third Ashes match at Leeds saw Australia crushing England by an innings and 80 runs to level the series 1-1 with a match to go at Oval on August 20. The whole team is in form including their lead bowler Mitchell Johnson who was not at his best off late. All of a sudden, Australia is everyone’s favourite to take away the prestigious Ashes urn. If they do win the Ashes this time around then it will be their 10^th Ashes victory in their last 11 contests. Skipper Ponting is delighted after the victory and is confident of retaining the Ashes. He said his team was “unbelievable” after thrashing England. They are a happy lot.

On the other hand, the home side is subject to all criticism after badly losing to Australia. Remember they were the favourites at the start of the series. This is a classic example of how things can change so quickly in cricket. Their middle order consisting of Ravi Bopara, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood has flopped. They just scored 16 runs between them at Leeds. I was shocked when I read that it was the worst collective display by numbers three, four and five in all of England’s 890 tests. To refresh your memories let me tell you that Bopara had scored 3 tons in a row in the series against Windies just before the Ashes. But now Bopara’s place is under scanner and there are talks of him being replaced by Robert Key (39 year old Leicestershire player). Captain Andrew Strauss has a whole lot of things to deal with. Coach Andy Flower is smart and is expected to tackle the situation well. A person’s character is tested only in bad situations. No doubt they are having a tough time. Their body language in the 4^th test said it all. They did have something to cherish about when the batsman in Stuart Broad troubled the Aussies. Broad along with Graeme Swann set a record 8^th wicket stand of 108 runs in 12.3 overs, 2^nd fastest for any partnership over 100 runs in test cricket. The Barmy Army would be hoping for a better performance in the finale of the Ashes at Oval where it’s ‘Perform or Perish’ for both the sides.