Even This Aussie Side May Struggle On The 2019 Tour

Even This Aussie Side May Struggle On The 2019 Tour

- Marcus North

So the Ashes have gone, handed back to Australia before Christmas and the Boxing Day showpiece in Melbourne. I predicted 3-1 at the start of the series and a tight 3-1, but even I have been surprised by the way England have been blown away.

I think it would be generous to simply say they lost the crucial sessions because the damage inflicted has been heavier than that; they have lost crucial days and despite showing more than the odd glimpse of fight, once they were knocked to the floor they were always chasing an Australian train that was very difficult to catch.

But we should get this in perspective: there are not many sides that travel to Australia and win. It just doesn’t happen. England did it seven years ago and South Africa have enjoyed success Down Under, but it remains such a tough place to play cricket for a touring side.

The disappointment has been the way England have handed over the urn. If you had said before the series that Dawid Malan, Mark Stoneman and, to a lesser extent, James Vince would have had the series they have had (so far), the England management would have been delighted because it was their senior players who were supposed to stand up and carry the team.