The back-to-back Ashes tours started more than seven months ago in the UK with Mickey Arthur sensationally sacked as Australian coach.
And now 25 internationals later, the consecutive series have ended with Arthur putting his hand up to fill the coaching vacancy for England in an incredible 180-degree shift.
During a commentary stint on the BBC for Sunday’s final T20 international in Sydney, Arthur hinted he would throw his hat in the ring to take over from Andy Flower.
Should Arthur be appointed for his third international coaching position, in extraordinary circumstances, he would be preparing England to battle Australia in another Ashes series in 2015.
It would appear England’s limited-overs coach Ashley Giles is in the box seat to take over as Test coach but, after their 5-0 Ashes humiliation, the ECB has said it will consider all options.
Giles said after Sunday’s 84-run T20 loss that he wanted the responsibility of coaching England in all three forms.
“I’d be very interested in doing the job, definitely. I’m not going to deny that and I’m sure I’ll be applying for the post,” Giles said.
“But before then, there’s a lot to think about … we’ve had a pretty big fall so we’ve got some turning around to do before Bangladesh (World T20 Championship), otherwise this sort of thing could happen again.”
Arthur had a successful tenure in charge of South Africa before taking over the Australian team in late 2011.
However, appointing Arthur would be a gamble after his time in charge of Australia ended in disaster last year.
After overseeing Australia’s 4-0 whitewash at the hands of India, which included the homeworkgate fiasco, Arthur then led a failed campaign at the Champions Trophy.
Then just over two weeks before the Ashes were due to start, he was sacked and replaced by Darren Lehmann.
Cricket Australia (CA) suggested Arthur hadn’t been strong enough to stop a negative culture gripping the national team.
Arthur left on good terms, before things turned bitter when he took Cricket Australia to the Fair Work Commission, demanding $4 million in compensation for his sacking.
CA and Arthur ultimately came to a settlement.
Flower stood down as England coach on Saturday, and could move into a development role with the ECB.
RWB
Guest
Oh hello Nudge I wondered when you would drop in. He doesn't have a point and the most gutless performance I've seen was Australia in Australia against England 3-1 loss in the Ashes each loss by an innings and then some. They have a right to play for England Nudge, they have the right because they have the passports. I'll ask the same of you when is an Australian an Australian in your eyes. When they have the passport or when they lose the accent or do we have to wait for the first generation to emerge? How do you feel about some of your (Australian) olympic medals, where they Aussies or were they imports. I didn't hear any complaints about them.
Nudge
Guest
I get his point RWB. It's just insane the amount of cricketers you guys have that were born in different countries. I think I counted 11 the other day that represented England last year. Now come on,1or 2 fair enough but 11, what an embarrasing joke. Not sure who the recent past player was that 4/5 years ago went over to watch Gary Ballance play for Zimbabwe u19's, and then told him "you got what it takes, how about crossing over and playing for England". Perhaps if you start selecting English born players you will not get such a pathetic gutless weak hearted display that we saw from England this summer. Clearly the softest performance I have seen from a touring team in Australia in my 25 years of watching.
RWB
Guest
I don't need you to explain anything to me. You make the comment that they are not English, yet they play for England. You are making a point about their lack of Englishness and it's getting old. I ask a fair question. When the next overseas born player, dons the Green and Gold will you support them when they make their first hundred or take 5 for? Lots of overseas born players choose to play and live in England, many with English history, ie fathers, mothers etc. England has a history in a lot of countries due to colonial times and Empire building (long gone) I saw some guy on Roar questioning the pedigree of Nick Compton (Born in South Africa) the son of Richard Compton born in London and regarded as a South African Cricketer. The Grandfather Denis Compton born in England and an English great. Yet he is derided for playing for England because he is South African. Sorry if you're offended and can't be bothered responding but perhaps your writing isn't quite as clearly constructed as you think it is.
There are a number of South Africans involved with the English team, so culture won't be an issue.
jameswm
Guest
Talk about an overreaction. Go back and read the comment I was replying to. I don't have time to explain it to you.
Straight Ball
Guest
On the one hand, it is hilarious that this foolish dude thinks anyone should employ him anywhere except as anything other than a poor masseuse. On the other hand, it is enormously funny that the English would have to sit down and consider his application. Maybe they could leave it to last just as the drinks and cigars are coming in. If they were silly enough to appoint him, then we can just grin, and grin, and grin as their team shambles along. It will be a kind of weird, contrary present. It's all good. It is also amazing that he got a big settlement for stuffing things up and getting the sack! Obviously, CEO material.
Tom Dibble
Roar Rookie
RWB
Guest
With this line of thought anyone who is born outside of Australia and carries an Australian Passport (after gaining citizenship) isn't Australian either. jameswm would you agree with that?
jameswm
Guest
Forget about not led - not many of the players are English, either.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Gillespie has also shown an interest. Warnie, more generally intersested but it would take more committment than a manifesto.
casper
Guest
if they ever learn a lesson, the poms will understand you can't build a team's spirit when it's not le by a native of the country. How ca you impore the current pomie team to take a bullet forthe mother country when most of them come from other origins. It's a bit like the packe era where we had the 'rest of the world' team thrown together, they all played for themselves & tried to keep their averages up. History has proven mickey arthur obviously got it wrong with Australia, so why impose that on england. I'd be happy if he got in there & made pietersen captain because they'd struggle to put a team on the park. lets hop they remember how todo their homework or they'll all get suspended.
jameswm
Guest
I think Arthur would be a good fit with England's intense, negative, micro-managed style.