England v Australia, 5th Test, Day 4 - Australia thrash England, but Cook and his men celebrate

So, Australia have won a Test match at the Oval at last. The last time I saw an Australian team to conquer Oval was way back in 2001 which hit the headlines due to a brave hundred from Steve Waugh. This year’s Oval Test hit the headlines because of Michael Clarke’s retirement. Yes, Pup has finished his Test career with a victory, but it would have been sweeter if he could lift the urn on English soil. Moreover, he might not have decided to retire had he won the Ashes.

But from today, the cricketing world will not witness more of Michael Clarke. It’s pretty hard to digest the retirement of two legends of the game at the same time. How quickly time flies away! 2000 and 2004 still seems yesterday. It seems that just yesterday a doe-eyed youngster from Sri Lanka and a cute-faced Australian youngster made their debuts in international cricket. Only a cricket fan who has been watching cricket for a brief period (I have started following since 1988)can understand the depth of my sadness.

But life moves on. 

Anyhow, England’s defeat was just a matter of time. Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad and tried to frustrate the Australian bowlers but it was not possible to prolong the resistance. The newly energized Peter Siddle dismissed Moeen Ali and Australia scripted victory by an innings and 46 runs. But such a defeat didn’t bother England at all. Alastair Cook and his men ere delirious while celebrating with the urn.
 
Lastly, the quality of cricket in this year’s Ashes has been poor. England did well in exploiting Australia’s pathetic display with the bat and that’s all. England do have chinks in their armory and, I think, against Pakistan and South Africa they might be found wanting. Whereas, it’s rebuilding time for Australia. The new captain Steve Smith needs to be like Allan Border and of course, he needs to be an attacking captain. The Bangladesh tour will be a stifling one. A challenging journey awaiting for Smith.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar