It was yet another stellar performance from the Aussies that sent the English batsmen packing in the fifth and the final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. England crumbled to their fifth straight in as many matches in the just finished Ashes series.
It all began in the first test at Brisbane and ended almost on a similar note on the Sunday afternoon at SCG. The English batsmen was found wanting for one more as they got all out for 166, 11 runs more than what they managed in the first innings, giving Australia a memorable win which they will cherish for quite some time. If Mitchell Johnson was the slayer in the previous matches, this time it was Ryan Harris to whom the English batsmen succumbed. Harris who picked up 5 wickets in the second innings got the man-of-the-match award and was well supported by Johnson. Johnson was adjudged the man-of-the-series for his consistent performance with the ball picking up 39 wickets in the five matches.
It was a dramatic turnaround for the Aussies who suffered a 3-0 defeat in England last year. It was determined Australian side that made it possible. The lack of adaptability of the English batsmen in these conditions helped their cause immensely. Ian Botham 
lashed out at England’s performance as being one of the most ‘spineless’ performances and that it has left him embarrassed.
However Alistair Cook is not losing all hopes. In the press conference he said, “If knew the answer, I would be telling the guys out there rather than telling you guys… I am desperate to try and turn it around.” He added, “I feel as if I am the right man to do it. If I’m not and people higher up want a change because they think that’s the best way, I have to take it on the chin.” Cook who was in the English team which suffered the same fate in the 2006-07 series remarked, “I have a lot of experience as a player. I have seen a 0-5 before and I’ve seen the drive and determination which that caused that team then. I know what that takes to do.”
Tags: Alistair Cook Ashes Ashes series Ashes whitewash Australia Australia vs England Australia wins Ashes 5-0 Mitchell Johnson Ryan Harris Sydney Whitewash
