By Malcolm Conn
London: Fireworks that failed to explode and streamers that failed to fly reflected a flat Australian team during a muted Ashes presentation which has signalled the end of an era.
The celebration became a mere photo opportunity as Australia held on to the Ashes with a 2-2 series draw which captain Pat Cummins described as a “missed opportunity”, with his side failing to win a match for almost a month.
After easily beating India in the World Test Championship final at the Oval and going 2-0 up with narrow wins at Edgbaston and Lord’s, Australia lost at Headingley by three wickets, were saved by rain in Manchester, and lost again at the Oval on Monday by 49 runs.
“It felt like we got ourselves into some really good positions winning the first two games, and then in Headingley and this week,” Cummins said. “We got into match-winning positions and just didn’t quite capitalise.
“That happens. We were out of it in Birmingham and found a way to win. Once we reflect, we will be proud we retained it. It’s been a wonderful tour. But we all turned up today hoping to get up and win 3-1.”
This tour ended with the same 2-2 result as the 2019 tour, but most of the players from four years ago had the chance to return with the aim of becoming the first team in 22 years to win a series in England. However, with Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne the only Test regulars in the team under 30, it is time for regeneration.
Opposing skippers Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins.Credit: Getty
The biggest question continues to revolve around David Warner, 36, as it has for much of the past year. Cummins refused to be drawn on his veteran opener’s future.
“I don’t know what the future holds for anyone,” Cummins said. “There were some times he looked really good, played some really important innings. I think that is the thing about playing in England, you can get the conditions against you. He walked out sometimes under lights and clouds, and a 30 there is worth double.
“The partnership [135] he put on yesterday with Uz [Khawaja] was fantastic. Probably the story of the tour. So many moments where he felt like he got on top of the game, and [England] got themselves back in.”
Sunday was Warner’s second half-century of the tour in a performance across the past two months that will make it difficult for him to continue in the Test team, despite nominating this coming summer’s Sydney Test against Pakistan as his preferred swansong.
He scored 285 runs at 28.5 across the five Tests, the sixth time in seven series Warner, 36, has averaged under 30. And his only century in the past nine series was his epic double hundred against South Africa at the MCG during last year’s Boxing Day Test.
The selectors will need to decide whether it is fair on Warner’s replacement not to start the Australian summer at the beginning with the Pakistan series. Reserve batsmen on this tour Marcus Harris and Matthew Renshaw are the obvious candidates to replace him. Both have played Test cricket before without securing a place.
The loss of spinner Nathan Lyon, 35, who suffered a serious calf strain during the second Test, was significant, but it gave more opportunities for his impressive young protege Todd Murphy, 22, particularly during the fifth Test. Murphy finished with seven wickets at an average of under 26 from two Tests.
“It’s pretty clear just how important Nath is in all conditions,” Cummins said. “We probably felt that at times at Manchester, not having a spinner out there. The change of pace, someone who you can feel like they can control the pace of the game when the wicket is flat and pace bowlers can’t as well.
“This week, Todd did a fantastic job. He took four [wickets] in the second innings and was always asking questions. It felt like he could get breakthroughs when the wicket didn’t have much on offer.
“I was really impressed with Todd. Hopefully, Nathan has plenty more cricket left in him. But Todd is there ready to go, which is great.”
Australia will also have to blood imposing young West Australian fast bowler Lance Morris this summer to freshen up an ageing pace attack.
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