The Ashes farewell

By Warden
January 8 2007

Firstly, the Ashes crystal trophy bade farewell to England after its shortest ever stint in the country, which ended with a 5-0 whitewash of the beleaguered Englishmen.

This Ashes bade farewell to three truly amazing players: Shane Warne and Glen McGrath with 1001 wickets while playing together, the greatest legspinner and fast bowler combo ever seen. Justin Langer, part of the greatest opening combo Australia has ever been privileged to produce, also announced his retirement.

There was also Australia's "farewell" -- a 5 to 0 victory -- over a team that, let's face it, had many of the same players that won the Ashes back in England. Not just a whitewash, but crushing victories, by 277 runs, 6 wickets, 206 runs, an innings and 99 runs, and 10 wickets respectively. England did not always play badly -- Australia just frequently played brilliantly -- with all players contributing with centuries or wickets (bar Damien Martyn who retired early.)

Fortunately, the memories remain -- the crushing opener at the Gabba; the amazing last-day win at Adelaide; regaining the Ashes at the WACA; 700 for Warne at the MCG (and a fine fight back by Symonds and Hayden); and a 5-0 whitewash at the SCG.

Farewell team, it may be many years before I see such golden years of Australian cricket again.