My day at the SCG for the final day of the Ashes

Under the Southern Cross I stood, donning proudly the pink and daggy green, while having an absolute nutter of a time on one of the most special and exhilarating days in my sporting memory.

I will never forget this day, nor the emotions and euphoria that I and thousands of other Aussies felt at our special home of cricket – the SCG.

We witnessed our battlers dismantle England to their core to complete a 5-0 Ashes whitewash and exact the juiciest of revenge.

There was never much optimism from anyone in regards to Australia winning back the Ashes, let alone with a 5-0 scoreline. It’s been an absolute whirlwind since it all began at the Gabba way back on November 21.

Had Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson not rescued us from the rut we had gotten ourselves into then it could’ve been a completely different story today. Thankfully, this special day and series ended exactly the way our special side deserved.

The day started off incredibly. When I arrived at the SCG the atmosphere was filled with high emotion, excitement and love.

Everywhere you turned people were dressed in pink, giving themselves and their money towards the McGrath Foundation and its incredible cause.

This was the third Pink Test I have attended and emotions wise, it never gets easier, especially when Glenn McGrath and his two children take to the field prior to the match.

Jane McGrath was a beautiful woman who fought one helluva fight, and the legacy she has left is one that’s almost worthy of sainthood.

After shedding a few tears during the baggy pink cap handovers and the unveiling of the Jane McGrath banner, it was time to truly grip every ball, every run and every accomplishment on the field.

Their was some belief that Australia would end them today, but no one could predict the blistering way we performed after tea.

It was just sensational, the sense of proud patriotism in the crowd was incredible. I just closed my eyes and soaked the atmosphere up.

Besides lifting the urn, my favourite part of the day was seeing Mitchell Johnson give the Barmy Army a beauty of a five-finger salute. After all the garbage they’ve been giving him throughout the years, his little gesture was a moment to remember.

I have written a couple of articles, and several hundred comments backing this man, as I have since he came to the fore of Test cricket.

It filled me with great joy to see him clinch the Man of the Series award following his outstanding 37-wicket haul.

Then we go on to laud our bowlers – Johnson, Harris, Siddle, Lyon and Watson, one of the most lethal attacks in world cricket.

In the top order, Chris Rogers, David Warner and Brad Haddin epitomise what wearing the baggy green is all about.

As for Steve Smith – they said you weren’t good enough, they said you weren’t consistent enough, they said you weren’t tough enough for this stage. And you proved them wrong; a breath of fresh air and a breath of youthful joy.

And on to Michael Clarke and Darren Lehmann – a match made in Test cricket heaven.

Both compliment each other in their leadership and handling of team affairs. Their work to turn around the fortunes of our Test side has been nothing short of remarkable. May they long lead our boys to further glory and sweet success.

Honestly the greatest sporting match I’ve been to, this day will never be forgotten. I cheered, shed a tear and went utterly nuts.

And sang the team song loudly and off tune with the rest of the jubilant Australian supporters outside the SCG.