Alistair Cook may do well to get down to his local hardware store and acquire some Matt white paint and a roller, because this could be a whitewash.
England dismantled Australia with an improved, albeit far from complete performance that looked ominous for the tourists. Australia face the humiliation not only of series defeat, but a heavy one at that.
Day one offered signs of encouragement for Lehmann’s men, who reduced England to 289-7 with a late surge from spinner Steve Smith. However like a dog beach bound, England’s tail wagged. Swann and Broad added an invaluable and momentum shifting 48 for the final wicket, biffing the ball to all parts to finish on 361.
On a pitch described as an absolute road however, and with Swann glowing, Australia folded like a cheap suit. In times gone by the 128 they amassed would have rung through the world of cricket; it was in many ways a sign of the times that it was met with almost expectant jubilation from England fans.
Cook refused to enforce the follow-on, a decision that seemed dubious by 31-3 at the end of day two. On a day when 16 wickets fell, those with day five tickets would have been wise to make other plans. Many suggested it was merely a bad exhibition of cricket, crying out for some quality. Joe Root obliged.
A majestic 180 took England’s lead to 500 plus, and batted Australia completely out of the game. If Swann’s five-wicket haul in the previous innings was a jab, Root’s innings was the knockout punch. Talk about doing your talking on the pitch..
Australia offered little to suggest the possibility of a remarkable comeback, reaching 235 all out, a loss by 347 runs. They could have batted a third time, but the result would probably have been no different.
It’s so hard to imagine these guys are the successors to Langer, Hayden, Ponting, Gilchrist, Warne and McGrath. What they’d give for just one of those chaps right now.
From an English perspective these are prosperous times, and should be enjoyed with the appropriate enthusiasm.
However as a sporting outfit, you should never be satisfied with what you have achieved. Those who were on the 06/07 Ashes tour for England will know that revenge has yet to be exacted until the whitewash is complete.
Now is as good a chance as England may ever get to fulfil that dream.