Issue 151

Flintoff's failure

29th January 2007

England's cricket stars were brought crashing back down to earth over Christmas as Australia humiliated them, dishing out a 5-0 whitewash - the first for 86 years – as they comprehensively regained the Ashes after only 463 days in English hands.

England started the test series in the worst possible fashion, with that now infamous wide from Steve Harmison, and it rarely got any better for the tourists. They went on to lose the first test by 277 runs. Australian captain Ricky Ponting was the star of the show, scoring 196 and 60 not out as England's bowlers managed only nine wickets between them. With the ball, the majestic Glenn McGrath marked his return from injury with 6-50 in the first innings.

England had to hit back in Adelaide, and, briefly, they did. England batted magnificently, amassing 551-6 before declaring, largely due to a mammoth 310 run partnership between Kevin Pieterson (158) and Paul Collingwood, who hit a dogged career best 206. However, Australia also batted well. Hundreds from Ponting, again, and Michael Clarke left England with only a slender lead. Matthew Hoggard showed the first sign of life from England's bowling attack, taking 7-109, an excellent effort from the England workhorse. A draw looked inevitable heading into the final day before England capitulated to 129 all out and Australia comfortably knocked off the runs to take the honours.

At Perth, battling to save the series, England again got themselves into a good position. Monty Panesar, on his Ashes debut, bowled beautifully, taking 5-92, and, backed up by the lively Harmison, restricted Australia to 244 all out in their first innings. England's batsmen surrendered, however, making only 215 in reply and again the match was in the balance. Australia took the game away, hundreds from Clarke and Mike Hussey put them into a good position. Then, in an hour and a half of madness, Aussie wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist recaptured the Ashes. In one of the most brutal, brilliant innings test cricket has ever seen, Gilchrist hit a century from only 57 balls, the second quickest in history, including twelve fours and four sixes. It was truly breathtaking stuff, and England never threatened to make a game of it after that. Despite a brave hundred from young opener Alastair Cook, England were beaten by 206 runs and the Ashes were Australia's once more.

Rather than relax and enjoy their success, this ruthless Australian team went on to crush England in the final two tests. Following the announcement of his impending retirement, Shane Warne stole the show on his home ground at Melbourne, finishing the match with 7-85 and 40 not out as Australia won by an innings and 99 runs.

In the final test at Sydney, Australia yet again ran out comfortable winners, by ten wickets, as they recorded a 5-0 whitewash. The match will be remembered as the last test match played by three greats of the game, Warne, McGrath and opening batsman Justin Langer, all of whom retired from test cricket. Warne and McGrath in particular will forever be remembered by cricket fans as the greatest of their respective arts, spin and fast-medium bowling. World cricket will certainly be a less colourful place without them, and a less hostile one for batsmen the world over.

For England, it is not the loss of the series that has angered critics and fans alike; it is the manner in which it was lost. Despite captain Andrew Flintoff's insistence on putting on a brave face and refusing to criticise any of his players, publicly at least, the inquest must start the minute the players arrive back in England. It is not only the team's poor performance that will come under scrutiny, but the obvious lack of commitment and application from individuals, most notably Harmison and Sajid Mahmood.

Harmison never got going until the third test, and, although this may not be entirely his fault, he clearly does not have the bottle for top quality, international fast bowling. Equally, Mahmood does not seem to show the commitment and discipline to succeed at this level, and his time could perhaps be better spent on extra practice rather than complaining to the media about not getting his chance to play, a chance he failed to take when it came. The wicketkeeping also continues to be a problem, neither Geraint Jones nor Chris Read are nearly good enough, and neither will play for England again.

As for Duncan Fletcher, the coach, he is on borrowed time. Despite the good things he has done for England over the last few years, it is time for a change. His handling of this tour, and the refusal to accept any blame for the team's dreadful performances, preparation and attitude should have spelled an instant dismissal. Fletcher, however, has a stay of execution, but a poor showing at the world cup may seal his fate.

England will look back on this tour with frustration as much as anything. Yes, Australia are a truly great team, and even an in-form, injury-free England side would have struggled to compete with them. But, no matter how it is dressed up by the England PR machine, they were shambolic. The management made poor decisions, the players performed poorly, and, worst of all, they never once looked like they were there to win.

Tom Mooney