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The Ashes ended on an anti-climactic note as the umpires called off the game for bad light, with England needing just 21 runs to win from four overs.
It seemed that the Ashes were heading towards a tedious finish at the end of England’s first innings, but Australia had different ideas. They turned out in their second innings and looked to take on England’s bowling right from the start. The strategy didn’t seem to be going too well for the Australians, as they lost wickets at quick intervals. Despite that, the men from down under kept their aggressive hats on.
At tea, Australia’s skipper Michael Clarke declared bravely with Australia’s lead at just 226 with 44 overs left in the day’s play. Joe Root fell early, caught Haddin – who set the record for most dismissals by an Australian keeper in a five-match series with 29. Jonathan Trott joined captain Cook at the crease and started off well with a boundary on the leg side off Starc’s bowling, early on in his innings.
Cook and Trott plodded on for a while, before Faulkner struck Cook right in front of the stumps. Then, walked in Kevin Pietersen, who seemed to have only one thing on his mind – a single-minded approach to lead England to a 4-0 series win.
Pietersen reached his half-century in just 36 balls, the fastest ever by an Englishman in an Ashes innings. He continued the onslaught before David Warner caught him off Ryan Harris’s bowling for a well-made 62. Trott fell shortly after, stranded plumb in front to an in-swinging delivery from Faulkner.
Ian Bell and debutant Chris Woakes scored quickly, before Bell was run out by the left-arm bowler. Immediately after, the game was called off in almost farcical fashion as ICC laws give umpires complete control over situations regarding bad light.
Shane Watson received the man of the match award for his brilliant century in Australia’s first innings.
Ian Bell was named England’s match of the series, while Ryan Harris was named the same for Australia.
