The Ashes is the cricket cup that is played between England and Australia. During the last series in England, the Australian team was beaten by the MCC. This time the English team went down under, to try and regain the Ashes. For this purpose, at the request of the English captain Joe Root, the team landed in Australia three weeks ahead of the test matches. The purpose was to get acclimatized with Australian playing conditions. The team was expected to retain the Ashes but as Harold Robbins wrote: "dreams die first".
The dream of the English team was shattered as they lost the first three tests of the five-match series.
The Australians took a 3-0 lead and have dashed any chance of England making a comeback to retain the Ashes. This was not the result England had bargained for when they landed in Australia. Australian captain Steve Smith as reported by ESPN Sports led from the front with big scores.
This series is now over and only two tests are left. England will have to do something special to at least salvage some reputation in the last two test matches.It's onwards to Melbourne as reported by the Guardian.
Rivals for 150 years
England and Australia have been rivals in Test cricket for the last 150 years. The first test between the two countries was played in 1877 and whenever the two Rivals meet the entire cricketing world is greatly interested.
The Ashes have produced great players like Sir Donald Bradman and Len Hutton.Steve Smith by leading his team to 3-0 win has done extremely well as a captain
England started the tour on a disastrous note when they lost the first test. The English batting failed to click and their main batsman Alastair Cook hasn't played major innings during the entire series.
The Skipper Root tried to salvage the situation but the basic problem has been with the bowling. The spinners failed and in contrast, the Australian skipper Steve Smith lead from the front with some excellent batting centuries. England seems to be easy fodder overseas, as on their last tour to India they lost all their matches
Ashes lost
As far as the Ashes is concerned, the series is over bar the shouting.
England will have to Introspect as to what went wrong this time. The fact is the English team fails to present a united front and the reason for that will have to be deciphered. England will try out a new cap Tom Curran, during the fourth test but it will require a good inning from Alastair Cook to set the ball rolling.
