Print

[tim2000s]

So we've retained the Ashes.  2-1 with one to play.  Are England really that good,  or is it more, as the title says, that the aussies aren't?

[Canners]

I think its a bit of both really.....

I think the Aussies really struggled in this test and their key players such as Ponting and Clarke just didnt perform! It will be interesting to see how the Australians come back from this and also if Ponting remains captain. Australia were such an amazing side a few years back with the likes of Mcgrath, Warne, Hayden, langer and the Waugh's et al... that we expect such high things from them. I'm not sure if Australia will ever produce another breed of fine cricketers as from that era as they were simply amazing ( in every format) and if our current side was to play the Australia of old i think we'd come a considerable 2nd......

As for now i think England are a decent set up and are strong in all areas, The good thing about us is were a relative settled side although i would like to see Colingwood dropped for the last test and Morgan slotted in ( i love his style of batting).

[roco]

It's just England we can actually play cricket

It happens at whatever sport we play when we loose were crap but when we win it was because the opposition were poor we have trouble accepting VICTORY let's just sit back and enjoy the feeling

Plus the Aussies are in decline but you can only beat what is put in front of you

[tim2000s]

I was playing devil's advocate really.  For the first time in a long while, I think england have a good and settled side whereas the aussies are suffering a lack of decent players, and some of the better ones have suffered horrible form.

Against Inform and the saffas I think it would be harder, but I think we are now top three in world test cricket.

[jonpinson]

Any series win against Australia should be savoured and apart from one match I feel England have played very good consistent cricket. We should take nothing away from their victory.

That said we must also realise that we have not improved so much since the last tour that we would have won quite so easily playing like this in 2006/7. The Australian side has lost it's golden generation of players and although I believe they are still a good test team, they are a shadow of their former self.

Had we gone into the last tour with the team we have now, with the preparation we had,  it wouldn't have ended 5-0 but realistically we are not as good as the Australians were so I still think we would have lost.

Fair play to England it is a great result but the victory is very much down to a combination of our improvement and their decline.

[Johng]

Really good point raised here.

Ponting is the first Australian Captain since 1890 to loose 3 out of 4 Ashes series that's how bad this lot are.

I rate the 2005 England side as more talented bunch as they beat one of the best sides in history however, this England side is very good without being outstanding.

Would they beat the 2006/07 Australian side on home soil, no way and probably would not of won a single test but you can only beat what is put in front of you.

I do rate England as the best test side in the world at the moment as the key thing is that this unit is adaptable and most importantly can travel they also are well coached by Saker and Flower.

I am also predicting a World Cup final between England and Sri Lanka and I do believe a rosy time for English cricket over the next few years as this side will only improve.

But test cricket needs a competitive Australia!!

[thedon]

Cant wait for India vs England!!!