Published: Aug 20, 2015, 11:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 20, 2015, 12:11 PM (IST)
Michael Clarke’s Australia will once again take field at The Oval for the final Ashes 2015 Test against England, a campaign in which their actions have reduced them to nothing less than a laughing stock. Australia have not only faltered, but they have slipped, imploded, shown all frailties and have also somewhat established the idea that their struggles in England will continue to persist. Devarchit Varma explains why an England win is likelier than a consolatory Australian win.
They came as conquerors, but have been conquered. In fact, they have been demolished. If England had resembled a ruined empire at the end of Ashes 2013-14, having lost several of its frontmen, the story is somewhat the same for Australia as Ashes 2015 comes to a close. Back then, England had lost Graeme Swann — for some time — Jonathan Trott; and Kevin Pietersen never reappeared. This time, Australia will be losing Michael Clarke, while Chris Rogers and Brad Haddin had announced retirement as well. To make things worse, Ryan Harris had retired before Ashes 2015. READ: Peter Siddle deserves a chance in fifth Ashes 2015 Test
Going into Ashes 2015, Australia were the better side on paper than England. They had a better chance of winning, and had all the time in the world, bolstered by an ideal build-up to the series. But they showed that they lacked class, composure, the hunger to win and the desire to retain the Ashes. It has been a staggeringly low performance in all departments by the Australians.
England will certainly be chuffed up with the possibility of a 4-1 scoreline at home for the first time in their history. Never in the past England have won 4 Tests in a single home Ashes, and going by the way the Australians have contributed to England’s success, it will not be surprising if that happens. Australia have not merely underperformed: they have assisted England in their victories by some poor show on and off the field. READ: Chris Rogers will be hard to replace in the Australian batting line-up
Australia seem to be a divided house. Throughout the series there have been disturbing reports that suggest that the mood in the Australian camp is not focussed on winning, but it is on the areas that do no matter great deal. The criticism of Michael Clarke (a lot of which was called for), the presence of WAGs (which had never attracted criticism in the past regardless how the team was doing), the handling of Brad Haddin and Shane Watson, the directionless selection policies are among the stinging issues that Australians will continue to face until they start winning.
The final Test will be all about Clarke in more than one way. He will be leading (and playing for) Australia for one final time. He is the last link from that golden generation of invincible Australians. He will be the centre of attraction. The Australians will hope their captain gets a perfect send-off, and they are able to get a consolatory win. READ: A tale of two retirements — A contrast between Ashes 2015 and 2006-07
But as of now, that seems very unlikely. Australians are, without a shred of doubt, low on confidence, and another ‘typical English wicket’ is on the cards. If Australia show some gumption at The Oval, it will be more than a relief to their fans. But if they simply turn up the way they did earlier this series — saying all the right words but doing nothing to justify them — it will be impossible to prevent another defeat.
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
