Pride and parity
the next outfielder. A few boos accompanied Smith as he walked from the field; by the time he reached the steps to the dressing rooms his reception was worthy of a world-class cricketer, who has done due penance, and who has extended the parameters of batting with his unorthodoxy.
Jack Leach had Marnus Labuschagne stumped when lunging forward, but Wade was masterful in using his feet to spin, and undaunted during his duel with Archer in his eight-over spell after tea. It made spectacular theatre.
Had Australia’s target been 299, not 399, the number of spectators having fatal heart attacks might have exceeded the one in 1882, when the Ashes were created (1877 was the date of the first test).
It was appropriate Paine was given out when he mistakenly asked for a review: Australia’s captain lagged far behind his counterpart in his acumen when requesting reviews. Paine’s fellow Tasmanian, Wade, was embarked on a semi-Stokesian innings until, after scoring 117 – his fourth test century – off 166 balls, he ran at Root’s off-break and was stumped. Two catches by Root himself – the second exceptional – gave Leach the last two wickets off consecutive balls and figures to treasure.
This result was suitable for Trevor Bayliss, who ended unbeaten in a home test series as head coach, and presided over the World Cup victory as well. He goes down as better than any English head coach but, as England won away test series only in South Africa and Sri Lanka, not better than the Zimbabweans Duncan Fletcher and Andy Flower.
It may seem strange that this series will not simply go down as shared with honours even; but holding the Ashes has always been the primary objective.
The myth was as antiquated as medieval warfare when it was created – this seizing the body of English cricket, cremating the Ashes and taking the urn to Australia – but no reason why it should be updated to be like all other, subsequent, international sports.
This contest, after all, is vibrantly alive.
– The Daily Telegraph