What a paradoxical end to a roller coaster series! Did you notice the expressions on the faces of the rival teams at the award presentation on Sunday?
Australia, who won the final Test at The Oval by an innings, looked glum while England appeared ecstatic.
Not surprising, as they had regained the Ashes 3-2 after losing it 0-5 only 19 months ago.
I’m no Somerset Maugham, so cannot describe the human emotions involved in this incredible series, but can give some humanised stats.
The series was supposed to last 25 days but was done in under 17, with momentum swinging more than that extracted from the pitch by quickies Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and Steven Finn for England and the three Mitchells – Starc, Johnson and Marsh – for Australia.
If only Peter Siddle was picked in earlier Tests. If only Ryan Harris was fit. If only Anderson could play in the final two Tests.
So many ifs.
But I am pleased Siddle proved Shane Warne – who had been very critical of Siddle’s selection on the first day of The Oval Test – wrong.
Although bowlers were behind all the wins – especially Broad, who pulverised Australia in the Nottingham Test with his 8/15, seeing them all out 60 – batsmen Joe Root and Chris Rogers were voted players of the series. I would have gone for Broad, who captured 21 wickets at 20.90.
Steve Smith was named best player of the final Test. He and Root were the pillars of the series; when they failed their countries lost by huge margins, but when they fired their side triumphed.
England was victorious when Root scored 134 and 60 at Cardiff, 63 and 38 not out at Birmingham, and 130 at Nottingham; a total of 425 runs at 106.25 in the winning Tests.
England lost when Root failed with 1 and 17 at Lord’s, and 6 and 11 at The Oval; a meagre 35 runs at 8.75.
Australia lost when Smith was dismissed for 33 and 33 at Cardiff, 7 and 8 at Birmingham, and 6 and 5 at Nottingham; a disastrous total of 92 runs at 15.33.
Australia won convincingly when Smith amassed 215 and 58 at Lord’s, and 143 at The Oval; a fantastic 416 runs at 138.66 in victorious Tests.
Eminent Indian statistician Rajesh Kumar informs me that Smith is the ninth highest among 10 players in the history of Test cricket to average 55.00 before reaching the age of 27 (qualification of 2000 runs).
In 33 Tests so far the 26-year-old has scored 3095 runs at 56.25 in 33 Tests.
The eight above him are: Don Bradman, averaging 98.69 in 28 Tests, Everton Weekes (West Indies) 61.11 in 23, Graeme Pollock (South Africa) 60.97 in 23, Wally Hammond (England) 59.80 in 27, Viv Richards (WI) 58.89 in 31, Garry Sobers (WI) 58.54 in 47, Sachin Tendulkar (India) 56.94 in 82, Greg Chappell (Australia) 56.82 in 40.
So Smith is in a distinguished ‘youth’ group.
The only other batsman to average over 55 with the bat is left-hander Neil Harvey, now the oldest living Australian Test cricketer, who had 55.81 in 44 Tests before he turned 27.
Root, now 24, should join these elite batsmen soon. In 32 Tests he has averaged 54.66 and like Oliver Twist is hungry for more!
JimmyB
Guest
Being an Englishman, I've been known to read 'UK sites' and the only negative regarding Smith that ever gets mentioned is his technique against the moving ball, but it gets mentioned by Australians just as much. I genuinely haven't heard or read a single thing that has suggested that Root is vastly superior to Smith. There's huge respect for Smith and the fact that he's a class batsman, there's the same respect for Root. At Test level, there really isn't much between the two, in the shorter forms, particularly T20s, Root's numbers are superior so if we were to judge them as complete batsmen based on their numbers over all three forms (I know Aussies love averages), then it could be argued quite easily that Root is the superior player. I however, am happy to just say that they are both class players and leave it at that.
Roger
Guest
Is that because you only read"the roar" jimmy? You should try a few UK sites just for a change ?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Nudge I find it hard to pick between Smith and Root, I'm just surprised at the lack of respect Smith often has been shown by English commentators and pundits at points this series. Interesting to see Smith is back to no. 1 in the Test batting rankings.
JimmyB
Guest
I haven't heard any English pundit suggest that Root is the comfortably superior batsman to Smith.
Nudge
Guest
Great stats Ronan cheers. Might stick with Smith
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I've found it strange this Ashes how many English pundits have been criticising Smith and questioning his ability to succeed in foreign conditions, while framing Root as the comfortably superior batsman. Yet, having played almost exactly the same number of Tests, Smith's record away from home is miles better than Root's: Smith - 1840 runs at 51, with five centuries. Root - 731 runs at 43, with one century. It will be interesting to re-assess the Smith v Root debate in five months time once Root has had to tackle Pakistan's spinners in the UAE, and the Proteas' pace attack in S.A. Smith conquered those two challenges last year - making 448 runs at 56 in five Tests in SA and the UAE. Now his challenge is to do the same against the Kiwis quicks.
Andy
Guest
Great to see Siddle in contention again as he bowled well in the final test, also looking forward to seeing Khawaja in the side after he dominated the Aus A tour and matador cup
Jameswm
Guest
Yeah it will be a big asterisk against his record if he only scores runs at home.
Targa
Guest
Root is clearly a fine player but has only scored one century outside England. Has scored 7 centuries in 21 tests in England, and one century in 11 tests away from England. Now he has to bat against Yasir Shah for Pakistan in the UAE and Steyn and Philander in South Africa - which will be a huge challenge.
Nudge
Guest
Both guns Root and Smith. Be very interesting following both there careers to see who will be the best out of the two of them. Neck and neck at the moment.
QuitWhinging
Guest
Disregard. Posted on wrong article
QuitWhinging
Guest
Lehmann has stated that Siddle has a test future which is good. They need him as a control/pressure bowler. The bowling this series has shown had bad things can get when that is not there. I'm a bit confused how Khawaja has leapfrogged Burns and even Lynn. When was the last time he scored FC runs? Bancroft probably isn't ready for tests yet. He's had 1 good season. Let's see if he backs it up, though if he's picked you can understand why. The second spinner is quite debatable. It would be rough on Ahmed if he's dropped without playing a game, even if his tour games have been disappointing. O'Keefe did well against India "A" but I still don't see him getting picked. Agar... did OK for his first FC game after shoulder surgery, he picked up Kohli. He was the best spinner in the tri series from any of the sides, arguably the best bowler in it and the selectors seem eager to get him the side. If I had to guess who would be picked it would be Agar.