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I was hoping that this latest offering would be written in the knowledge that England would be on the verge of salvaging a small memento from their disastrous few months but, alas, it wasn’t to be.
So instead it will have to focus on the Australians, and more specifically on whether their recent resurgence is a precursor to another period of domination.
Back to the head of the one-day international rankings – I don’t really know how these are formulated, as with the Test ones so I won’t even go there – and making a strong move towards the summit in the five-day standings, everyhting appears to be rosy in the garden of Cricket Australia.
So much so that despite my rather questionable gambling ability, I might have a few pounds on them to prevail in South Africa.
Two very strong seam attacks on surfaces that are likely to assist the faster men should throw up results for starters and also to level the playing field somewhat.
The hosts will have a stronger batting unit, even without Jacques Kallis, but that can be negated if Mitchell Johnson et al hit their straps and their batting colleagues can muster a few more at the top of the order.
The South Africans have no spinner to speak of and question marks over who will fill the breach that Kallis’ overs used to shore up and if the tourists can get on top early, as they did in the Ashes, then it could be theirs for the taking.
But regardless of the outcome, those predicting Australian ascendancy for the foreseeable future should probably hold their horses a touch.
Good, common sense thinking from a grounded coach has revitalised Michael Clarke’s side and turned an unstable, I won’t go as far as to call them a rabble, outfit into one with more cohesion and purpose.
Consistency of selection and a similar ideal with regard to how their cricket is going to be played has brought about a ten-fold improvement to the point where merely trying to stay competitive has been pushed to one side by an ability to win games in style.
But, and there is always a but, the foundations can’t be as solid as those in charge would like.
Aging players, questionable fitness records and a serious dearth of batting talent – Shaun Marsh? – do not a golden future promise and problems will arise if these are not addressed and soon.
No doubt Darren Lehmann has his ideas, the way he has gone about his business so far would suggest there is no need for concern in this area, but the issue will be when can changes be implemented.
As far as I can see, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Marsh, Brad Haddin and possibly Clarke do not have time, bodily robustness or fortune on their side and six is at least three too many.
The make-up of the side was deliberately done so in the chase for instant results which were a necessity after such a poor run and it can’t be argued that the ends failed to justify the means.
Yet, as England have shown all too starkly, it can all fall down in an instant and this is what Australia have to guard against.
The number one Test ranking could well be theirs in the not too distant future but as for a lengthy stay there, I’ll need a lot more convincing.