Has Shane Watson Conceded Ashes Defeat? It Seems The Urn Has Been Lost Already

This is particularly surprising because teams, no matter how dire the situation, are not known to come out in public and admit defeat. But Shane Watson is perhaps reflecting the current mood in the Australian camp.

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Shane Watson played a fighting half century but in vain as Australia are struggling to save face in the Ashes at home in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, Watson himself gave up the fight at the end of the day.

Speaking on reporters at stumps on the third day, Watson appears to have conceded that Australia have lost their Ashes dominance at home to England. There were no usual, we will be hoping for a miracle and even the weather forecast of the possibility of at least fifty per cent chance of rain failed to change Watson's mind.

Just read what Watson had to say and it will give one an idea of just how low Australia are on confidence that they are not even willing to indulge in a little bit of proxy bullishness ahead of the fourth day:

It's very shattering to be in the position we are now after playing so well in Perth and feeling like we had a big chance of really being in the series and winning the Ashes.

Obviously we will do everything we can to restore the pride and try to draw the series, but in the end the most important thing is actually winning that little urn and we haven't been able to do it.

We've got to try to restore some pride, it's been extremely disappointing to be able to play the way we have, in Adelaide and here especially, because the Australian fans have come out and supported us and we haven't really given them anything to support.

We really do have to go up there in Sydney and try to keep some of our supporters and fans on side because, unfortunately with the way we played, we might have turned a few people off.

It is very rare indeed for a team to concede that they are about to lose the Test match or the series in the belief that it ain't over until the fat lady sings. However, in this case, Watson made a rare confessional and concedes that England have won it, even before technically winning the Ashes in Australia.

It is certainly a different take from the time when Australia have never wanted to admit weaknesses even in defeat and have in fact remained bullish about every situation, often playing the psychological game and coming on the winning side of things. That is certainly how they started their Test match winning streak and dominance. But clearly this is no Australian team of the past and neither will be the result when England eventually seal it.