A “bowl dry” strategy served Australia’s men well during their last Ashes in England and, but for Tim Paine’s lamentable decision to ask the hosts to bat first in the Oval finale, it may well have resulted in their first series win on these shores since 2001.
There is an acceptance things will be different this time, however, as the tourists swiftly park their delight at victory in the World Test Championship final on Sunday and turn their attention to Friday, day one of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, and an England side that bats like the clappers.
