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.
Roger
Guest
"Southee"? Claiming another NZeder?
trev
Guest
No offence, but I think Southee, Boult, Milne (perhaps the world's fastest bowler - hopefully injury-free in a couple of years), Anderson, and Sodhi (who will develop into something special) will run through an Aussie lineup without experienced players like Rogers and Haddin.
Zubes
Guest
Epic game between India and NZ. Easily the best ODI I've seen for a while. In the end a tie was a fair result.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Very grim predictions for one of the most decisive Ashes winning team in history. God help them if it'd been a close fought affair!
Zubes
Guest
Small grounds. Flat pitches. Two very close games so far. As I type NZ have just lost 7/91 after being on course for a 350+ score. So looks like another close game in the offing. In South Africa recent India did pretty well in the Test series and should have won the first game. It was a game in which India were on top for the most part till the end where South Africa had to set a world record to win. Also they were 1/170 (first innngs) in the second Test so they were competitive against the world's best. In the one-day series South Africa rolled out designer fast bowler pitches - the sort of pitches they don't prepare when they play Australia. So far the new team is doing okay as for a few of them its their first away tours to these countries.
Alex Kiefer
Roar Rookie
Australia definitely are capable of beating South Africa, its just I'm not as confident as everyone else because our batting line up was so very fragile during the ashes. Surely Brad Haddin can't be relied upon to save every innings against an attack as strong as South Africa's. But should Australia defeat South Africa, their confidence will grown enormously and this will swell throughout the next summer with matches away against Pakistan, back in Australia against the unhappy travellers India and then a trip to the Carribean to play the struggling West Indies. My worry is that Australia could go this whole period leading into the Ashes without losing a test and should England sort themselves out over the next year and a half the built up confidence could backfire.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Same here. It makes no sense to take him and not play him. He's hardly the fellow you'd take to fill in on the field. He's not that good a pair of hands.
expathack
Guest
True Alec. There is a feel that for Aus this series was the end-game of the long plan, rather than a way-station passed en-route to the top. Hope they can kick on from here. But even if they dont, they sure picked the right time to peak. I love it when a plan comes together! It's also somewhat ironic (though possibly only an Alanis Morrissette kind of irony) that an England team which built their reputation on that kind of meticulous planning came so comprehensively unglued when faced with the same.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I agree Alec and Australia need to decide after next month's tour of SA whether they want to try to retain the Ashes with the same core group of veterans or start to rejuvenate the side. Because after next month they only have another 8 Tests before the next Ashes to try to blood new players and get a revamped side somewhat settled by the time they tour England. I think the temptation will be to try to nurse the old guys through to the next Ashes knowing that after that the side has 18 months of way easier Test cricket during which to rebuild.
expathack
Guest
When talking about the depth of the Australian attack, I'm of course assuming Mitch didn't lose his superpowers when the mo came off... After today, early signs don't look good unfortunately.
Alec Swann
Expert
Expathack, there will be a few, and there are wherever you are in the world, who expect a good series to be repeated and repeated. Thankfully not everybody looks at it in that manner. You're spot on about the distance travelled in the past few months. It just goes to show what a few calm heads and a well thought out method can produce
Alec Swann
Expert
How much of a gamble would it be to take the Ashes win for what it was, much-needed and a galvanising factor, and use the time it will have bought to revamp the side for the future? I suppose it comes down to whether they're prepared to stick or twist because, as you mention, to get caught in the middle would be far from ideal.
expathack
Guest
Good article Alec. But I don't think even the most one-eyed Australian supporter is expecting any period of dominance. If there's any expectation its that the team has the capability, on their day, to be competitive with any other in the world. Which is a long way ahead of where we were 6 months ago....
Alec Swann
Expert
Ronan, if the long game is played then they could be fine. By that I mean being prepared to take a bit of a hit to prosper in the future. The days of ridiculous tinkering look to be over but it could be a big ask to keep the same group together for the Ashes in 18 months time.
expathack
Guest
I think it's inarguable that Steyn and Philander are the best two bowlers in the world. But if you look at the whole attack, 5 against 5, don't think it's quite as clearcut. Particularly with no Kallis. Look at the 05 Ashes. Aus had the two best bowlers in the world but England with their depth had the better attack.
Alec Swann
Expert
The Truth, as with most countries there will be some decent young talent knocking about but you're right in that there is a bit of a void between those youngsters, who probably aren't ready for the top level, and those whose days at that level are running out.
jason8
Guest
Hmmm... most of us here in SA would say that its in the bowling that we have it over you. The bowlers ratings seem to agree too.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Apart from the aforementioned guys I would expect everyone else to be there pending fitness and form. The key to a successful period is stability and consistent squad selection.
Dcnz
Guest
Ronan...the Black Caps will be lying in wait for our next series against youse ... Remember Hobart ! And we just beat India at home (ok that's nothing they are rubbish away). Good piece mate...
One-eyed Jack
Guest
Agreed. I thought we were talking red ball, not white ball.