CRICKET: Auzzies nearly Ashes...

Barring a miracle, and it would be a miracle, the Australian Cricket Team will be put out of their misery within the first session of play tomorrow.  151 runs behind with 3 wickets in hand, the result looks likely to be another loss by an innings and some.  Dare say it, the Auzzies inability to compete during this series (last 2 tests especially) have made it rather boring almost... as far as drama in the Ashes as we've come to expect goes.

All over for one of Auzzie's better contributors

As a Kiwi its also been a little hard to savour, as at the same time our cricketers have endured the worst run of defeats since many years, against Bangladesh no less... but an Auzzie loss is an Auzzie loss, and sweetness can be found in that.

Their problem?  England have just been too well balanced, too good.  Consistent runscorers at the top in Cook, Strauss and Trott giving them no chance.  A pace attack lead by the controlled and much too skilled swing of Andreson, and Swann with the spin.  Prior has even managed salt into the wounds with his cameos.  What's more, is England's big star in Pietersen (apart from his 227 which was important), hasn't had to contribute, such has been the dominance of others.

Even Bresnan has been getting wickets

The culprits for the Auzzies?... Hughes (internationally doomed), Ponting (just doomed) & Clarke (doomed in waiting)... though one also has to look at the bowlers bearing gums and nothing.  Johnson being hot than not, than hot than not.  Which would be worth the risk if the others were on hand to cover.  But they were not.  Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Harris, Watson all became unimaginative toilers, too easy in batting conditions.  Sure there was the odd spell of class, but the downtime inbetween was much too vast.  As for their spinners... they really have no chance given the select/drop nature of their tenures.  One thinks they should've been 'Happy with Hauritz', but one feels until they find another Warne, they won't be.

Will be more of this times 11 come tomorrow morning

So we wait another year for the fiercest rivalry in cricket to resume once more, this time in England.  I'll be there in my whites from the stands.  What's interesting to ponder, is how many of the current crop of Auzzies will be there also?...