When the Ashes had begun who would have even imagined it would end this way - Yes, it wasn’t a fact to deny that having dropped the precious urn last year the mighty Aussies would come-out any elastic this time around, however, the English under the able influence of the best All-rounder in modern cricket weren’t expected to crumble to zilch.
Having already sealed the Ashes to their name the Aussies were out with yet another immaculate performance pulverizing the English, Australia sealed the fifth and final Test with an emphatic 10 wicket win at Sydney- with it claiming their first ever Ashes whitewash in 86 years.
England were bundled out for a tiny total of 147 on the fourth day of the Test, the Barmy Army may have expected some lusty blows from their lone hope Kevin Peterson when the play resumed on day four, Eng. 114-5 hitherto - However, their hopes of salvaging some pride by attempting to save at least one Test in the series was dealt a hefty blow when McGrath got Peterson on the third ball of the morning. The bowlers having done the trick, the Aussies were left to score 46 to win, which the openers Justin Langer & Mathew Hayden got in style.
Amidst all the celebrations there were a few tears - the men who have paved many a victories for the World Champions will no longer be seen on the international circuit. Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne & Justin Langer are names which no Aussie fanatic can count out, the contribution that these men have made to Australian Cricket or to Cricket as a whole for that matter is noteworthy. The scenes at the end of it all were just fitting for the moment with the there kings of Australia (mentioned above) leading the team into the lap of honour, bidding adieu to the fans.
Ashes may have ended in the most fitting way for the Aussies - they have great bench strength, however, filling the vacancies created by these legends will be difficult to fill.
Read: BBC
