With the third Test wrapped up, I’ll do likewise. Thanks for your company throughout five (!) thrilling days of Test cricket and see you all in Melbourne.
Ali Martin has delivered his match report.
And Geoff Lemon has written about Pat Cummins and his Ashes legacy. Enjoy!
Updated
Having wrapped up the series in 11 days and retained the Ashes in ruthless fashion, Australia will have a very merry Christmas indeed.
Particularly pleasing for the selectors will be the fact that it has been an all-squad effort. Even with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sidelined early, Mitchell Starc was able to step up to lead the attack with Scott Boland a willing deputy and fringe quicks Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett making valuable contributions.
In the batting, South Australia’s finest Travis Head and Alex Carey have led the way. Losing their champion batter Steve Smith on the morning of the Test was far from ideal but both senior men stepped up in style. Head’s 170 in the first innings, with Carey (72) in support, turned the match Australia’s way and Cummins (3-48) and Lyon (3-77) caused similar havoc with the ball.
