Usman Khawaja

It’s the final test match of the ashes series at Sydney. Whether Australia like it or not England have retained the trophy and there’s nothing they can do about it. However, what they can hope to achieve to a certain extent is either winning the 5^th test at the SCG or turning it into a draw.

There is not the slimmest possibility that England will just give away this test match, not only will they want to “sprinkler” on top of the Australian cricketers but they will also want to end the series on a high, and given the energy and talent this England team has, there is absolutely nothing stopping them.

Day one on the 3^rd of January started with Australia winning the toss and electing to bat first. Openers Shane Watson and Phillip Hughes got off to a flyer, Watson made 45 runs of 127 balls and Hughes made 31 runs of 93 balls, it was the beginning of a good partnership before Bresnan and Tremlett took their wickets.

Usman Khawaja came 2 down instead of the injured Pinky Ponting whose injury did not allow him to play this match. He started off quite well and promising but did not stand a chance against Graeme Swann who seems to be making no mistakes what so ever.

Michael Clarke has an enormous burden on his shoulders, all of which has been thrown on him by Ricky Ponting, Clarke captaining his side for the 5^th and final test of the ashes, finally showed a little crack in his exterior, he looked very nervous.

Ultimately his jangling nerves got the better of him after rainfall caused an early tea break and Tim Bresnan got to claim his second wicket of the day, the new puppy skipper who just managed to make four runs.

The only hope for Australia is Michael Hussey; a statement probably used a lot as he is almost always left with a measly total which he must build.

Australia for the next few days will have to hold on tight or for them it will be a highly depressing end to this unforgettable series, the Brits will all the while be singing to the Aussies, in the words of Gloria Estefan “The rhythm is gonna get you”.

Tags: Ashes Series, Ashes Test, Australia, Chris Tremlett, Cricket, England, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Jonathan Trott, SCG, Sydney, Tim Bresnan, Usman Khawaja