England’s For The Taking…

Following one of the most one sided Test matches in the history of the game, Adam Currie runs us through why he believes England will not only retain the Ashes, but win them convincingly. 

England totally and utterly annihilated hosts Australia in the Second Test in Adelaide, with very little positive coming out of it for the hosts.

England racked up their highest score in over twenty years, and Australia suffered an innings defeat for the first time since 1993.

However, records aside this series has, bar the first day, been all England.

Their batsmen have thrived, while the host’s have wilted. Australia’s bowling attack looks completely and utterly out of their depth, and has even resulted in the shock call up of off spinner Michael Beer for the Third Test.

If he plays, Beer's Test debut would come in only his seventh first-class appearance – the same as Peter Taylor, the Australian off-spinner whose selection in the 1986-87 Ashes series caused similar controversy.

The cutting of Doherty was not the only shuffle, with Marcus North also been given the chop.

Phillip Hughes has been picked to replace the injured Simon Katich, while Steven Smith is the likely replacement replace to North.

What a world away this scenario is from the same match XI that used to dominate the team lineup year after year for Australia for the better part of 15 years.

England on the other hand is a settled unit, with one thing in mind- a dominating series win.

Besides the withdrawal of Stuart Broad on the basis of an injury, the team remains the same.

Swann was superb in the final innings in Adelaide, and a lot rests on his shoulders if England is to win this series.

They will be looking to wrap it all up in the Third Test at the Waca, with a turning Sydney pitch still to come.

The scoreline sits at 1-0 to England and everything still to play for.

The bookmakers have also had to reassess their earlier predictions of an Aussie win, with the hosts now well and truly long shots to win.

England is now odds-on heading to Western Australia, with the hosts rank outsiders.

One would be hard pressed to suggest that Australia might be able to save a series that has been marred by mediocre at best cricket on their part.

England is on top here, and as I have been calling since the start of the tour- they will go on to win this series convincingly.

The only real question being asked is if Australia has the ability to even win a game.

While this series cannot be compared to the 5-0 drubbing seen here last time around, it will most certainly be the axing of a few senior Australian officials post-tour if it is to end in a 4-0 loss.

Prediction: As I have been calling from ball one: England to win this series.