ASHES BREAKFAST: Why a lot of England fans prefer to lose the old-fashioned way, Australia’s latest injury blow is inconsequential to the series and somehow the sorry tourists still have unconditional support in one area
Australia retained the Ashes at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon after just 11 days of cricket where England were outplayed and overpowered.
When Josh Tongue edged a slip catch to Marnus Labuschagne at 2.12pm off the bowling of Scott Boland, it sealed an 82-run victory for Australia that gave them an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the series.
England made a fight of it on the final day and there were fleeting moments when it seemed that a world record run chase of 435 might be possible but that hope was soon extinguished.
Jamie Smith made an explosive 60, Will Jacks chiselled his way to a stubborn 47 and Brydon Carse was unbeaten on 39 but every time there was a hint of an improbable way back for England, Labuschagne seemed to be there to take a brilliant slip catch.
The final two Tests at the MCG and the Sydney Cricket Ground are now dead rubbers and are likely to be dominated by discussion about the futures of England coach Brendon McCullum and England managing director Rob Key.
Ben Stokes (left) congratulates Pat Cummins after Australia win the Ashes outright on Sunday
Bazball’s modern approach isn’t a hit among many fans
The Janus-faced attitude to Bazball was on view in microcosm in the reaction to Jamie Smith’s innings on Sunday morning. Smith batted brilliantly and explosively to move England to within 150 of the target set by Australia.
He restored a glimpse of hope with the way he played and began to sow the first seeds of uncertainty in Australian minds. Everyone lauded the way he played and started to get excited.
Then Smith was out, mistiming a lofted drive and hitting it high to midwicket, where he was caught by Pat Cummins. He was playing the same aggressive way that had brought England back to the edge of a contest and yet now he was ridiculed for being a fool and a naif.
One of the lessons of this match and this series is that a lot of England fans prefer to lose the old-fashioned way.
Jamie Smith trudges off the field after being caught out on 60 in a microcosm of Bazball
No Lyon, no problem for Australia
Australia’s master-spinner Nathan Lyon was injured in the morning session, fielding a flick to fine leg from Jamie Smith. It was a superb stop by Lyon but he seemed to pull his hamstring in the dive and signalled immediately to the Australian dressing room that he could not continue. It was reported later that he had left the ground.
In other circumstances, Lyon’s absence might have had real repercussions for the rest of the series but sadly, as far as England are concerned, it is too late to them to profit from Australian misfortunes.
Nathan Lyon suffered a hamstring injury but with the Ashes now won, Australia can cope
A bleak outlook in more than ways one for England
It was so gloomy in Adelaide on Sunday morning that the floodlights were turned on 10 minutes after play had begun at 10am. Half an hour later, the Barmy Army trumpeter began playing Singin’ in the Rain and a few minutes after that, it started to rain heavily enough for the umpires to take the players off.
Cue huge cheers from the England fans inside the ground. Sadly, the rain abated and the delay only lasted for 40 minutes.
There was a rain delay during on day five but it only lasted 40 minutes and didn’t spare England
No divine intervention for England
I stopped in at St Peter’s Cathedral an hour before the start of play. The choir was there, preparing to sing at the Eucharist. There are stories of England players from Ashes tours long ago repairing there to pray for a successful outcome to a Test.
I wondered if a stray member of Ben Stokes’ team might be there, making one last plea for deliverance, but of that, there was no sign.
Adelaide Oval’s food smashes the Gabba’s for six
The food at the Adelaide Oval beat the offerings at the Gabba hands down. The South Australia Cricket Association members have developed culinary tastes and the sushi stand was particularly well frequented.
At the Fish & Chippery on the course, there was a Lobster Roll on offer for around £11. Fish, Chips, Mushy Peas and Malt Vinegar came in at under £10.
The Barmy Army are truly special
At the end of the game, with the Ashes surrendered to Australia for another two years, England’s players walked some of the way over to the hill at the Cathedral End where the Barmy Army were gathered.
The Barmy Army were full of noise despite another dreadful Ashes defeat on Sunday afternoon
The fans were still singing their hearts out, still getting behind their team, even in the wake of another crushing defeat.
I can think of other sports where the support would not be quite so unconditional.
