Ngoba lokho engizakukwenza ukukusho kungase I awiswe okuvela phezulu ... kodwa ngiyajabula ukuthi lezi zihloko Ashes isezingeni kuphele. Impela nje i-Australia idlale kangcono kakhulu kunesamba sezingxenye zabo kanye ne-England, ngoba ingxenye enkulu, absolutely diabolical.
Ngokuqinisekile njengoba nobusuku obulandelayo usuku ama-Aussies aqoqe umdlalo owucekela phansi ongu-5-0, siphinde siguqele iNgilandi ngesamba esibuhlungu esingafanelwe ukufakwa kumugqa wamazwe omhlaba. Izivakashi manje zidinga ukubuyela emuva, re-group and pick up the pieces from this potentially disastrous tour down-under.
‘Potentially’ is a word that is used with great care. Inquests have already started into what went wrong and who must take the blame. It is important of course to ‘learn lessons’ but hopefully this tour was but an aberration for a once highly successful and capable team (yebo, ngempela!). Just as one swallow does not make a summer, one iqhwa izinhlayiya zeqhwa akumenzi ebusika. Fingers crossed it was just an unfortunate set of circumstances that all came together two wreak havoc on the visiting side. All batsmen lose form at one time or another – perhaps this was just the moment for everyone to slip up. Combine that with the best English spinner for a generation deciding to finish on a low and you are already going to be struggling. Some players have also clearly been in need of a rest – captaining the side and opening the batting is always a big ask and Alistair Cook has looked tired of late. Matt Prior and Jimmy Anderson have for too long had too much responsibility laid on their admittedly broad shoulders. Then of course there was the unfortunate development in the case of Jonathan Trott. Very sad and everyone wishes him well. It’s doubtful, Nokho, that he will play international cricket again. Uma ikwenze ngeke kube ezingeni elifanayo. Some of the squad have also been at the start of their international careers – Joe Root has the necessary skills to make it at international level and is worth persevering with – but it will take time. Michael Carberry will flourish at one day level but the test arena is a little above his skill set. Jonny Bairstow is worth keeping on the fringes – although question marks remain about his ability to deal with the short ball. Akayena choice Pick kuqala. Then of course Ben Stokes has stepped forward and grabbed his opportunity with both hands. Runs and wickets when everyone else around you is losing their head is a fantastic accomplishment. Definitely one for the future and the one bright light to come gleaming out of the tour.
Kuyinto Yebo kulula kakhulu ukubheka lolu hambo uthi elahlekile zonke. It may well be – England might be a busted flush – but there is hope yet as well.
Review of the tour – individual England and Australia players and their series ratings (hhayi izikolo hhayi kabili ezomhlaba)
Alastair Cook - 246 iphelela, 3 half centuries, amaphuzu phezulu 72 - Okumaphakathi of 24.6
Captain Cook led from the front and set the tone for the dismal show from the entire team. Poor batting (albeit measured against his incredibly high standards) kanjalo. England expect and need him to lead from the front. Akazange 3
Michael Carberry – 281 iphelela - 1 half century, amaphuzu phezulu 60 - Okumaphakathi of 28.1
lesibili esiphezulu run scorer yeNgilandi (nakuba esadlala test extra kuka Stokes nje ngemuva kwakhe ugijimela amaphuzu ikholomu) – regularly flattered to deceive and likely that age and poor shot selection throughout the series will mean he doesn’t play at test level again. Can do a job at one day level 4
Kevin Pietersen – 294 iphelela - 2 half centuries – top score of 71 (okumaphakathi of 29.4)
Scored the most amount of runs in the England side but came in for substantial criticism. Pieterson is able to play the long and patient innings when he puts his mind to it – but rarely bothers – even if it is what is needed. It is a major weakness of a brilliant player but he won’t ever change so there is no point trying to make him – at least you know what you get with him 5
Ian Bell - 235 iphelela - 2 half centuries – top score of 72 (okumaphakathi of 23.5)
Bell is becoming Mr Dependable for England. Played a couple of useful innings including carrying his bat in one. England can’t keep relying on him to rescue the side 5
Joe Umsuka - 192 iphelela - 1 half century – top score of 87 (okumaphakathi of 24); 32 overs, 5 maidens, 98 iphelela, 0 ngamawikhedi
Dropped for the final game but clearly remains in England’s plans going forward. Has the talent and the temperament to succeed and the management need to decide where his best position is in the batting order. Shame he couldn’t contribute more with the ball. 4.5
Matt Prior – 107 iphelela - 1 half century – top score of 69 (okumaphakathi of 17.83)
Another dismal series and the selectors showed they are not afraid to drop a senior pro like him. If there was a ready made replacement it’s likely Prior’s days would be seriously numbered but at the moment no one is laying down a serious challenge. He will be back in the summer 4
Ben Stokes - 279 runs – 1 century – top score of 120 - (okumaphakathi of 34.87); 116.5 overs, 15 maidens, 492 iphelela, 15 ngamawikhedi (32.80 iphelela ngayinye tim)
Comfortably England’s best player – third in the overall runs scored list (having played a test less than the others) and second highest wicket taker – the one shining light in a very dark series for England. Still a little rough around the edges but England have a real diamond on their hands 8
Stuart Broad – 155 iphelela - top score of 42 - (okumaphakathi of 15.5); 161.5 overs, 24 maidens, 578 iphelela, 21 ngamawikhedi (27.52 iphelela ngayinye tim)
It was always difficult for England’s bowling attack to make any real in-roads into a dominant and cock-sure Australian side, especially when their batsmen never managed to apply any leverage by scoring a decent total. Behind Stokes, Broad was England’s best player. Decent amount of wickets and a few runs 6.5
Jimmy Anderson – 41 iphelela - top score of 13 not out — (okumaphakathi of 4.1) ; 190.3 overs, 43 maidens, 615 iphelela, 14 ngamawikhedi (43.92 iphelela ngayinye tim)
Like his fast bowling partner, Anderson suffered from no support from the batting line up and is clearly in need of a rest. England’s management need to send him home and make sure his batteries are re-charged for the home tests – he will still take plenty of wickets in English conditions 5
Graeme Swann - 36 iphelela - top score of 19 hhayi out (okumaphakathi of 6); 142 iphelela, 21 maidens, 560 iphelela, 7 ngamawikhedi (80 iphelela ngayinye tim)
Disappointing final series for the best English spinner in a generation and failed to contribute a meaningful score with the bat either. Swann must be remembered for his previous endeavours and not this final hurrah 4
Tim Bresnan - 34 iphelela - top score of 21 (okumaphakathi of 8.5); 62.3 overs, 14 maidens, 206 iphelela, 5 ngamawikhedi (41.2 iphelela wicket ngayinye)
Just a couple of tests for Bresnan to prove himself after a lengthy lay off. Contributed nothing with the bat but bowled economically at times. Always looks good when others around him are playing well too but an un necessary luxury when the side is struggling. Amajaji namanje out on indawo yakhe ohlangothini - 4.5
Monty Panesar – 4 runs — top score of 2 (okumaphakathi of 1); 70.5 overs, 9 maidens, 257 iphelela, 3 ngamawikhedi (85.66 iphelela ngayinye tim)
Usual flood of runs from the bat of Monty! With Swann having closed the curtain on his international career it’s likely Monty will be the first name the selectors turn to in the future given the lack of ready-made options. England put a lot of faith in the player after his recent off-field issues but Australia decided to get after any twirler that came their way; Monty was no exception. 3.5
Jonny Bairstow – 49 iphelela - top score of 21 (okumaphakathi of 12.25)
Picked ahead of Prior for the final two tests but failed to put a marker down with either bat or gloves. Occasionally showed glimpses of having what it takes to succeed at this level by counter-attacking against a rampant opposition. Is likely to remain on the fringes of the side as a keeper-batsman simply because there are no stand out alternatives. But the management must stay awake at night praying for Matt Prior to rediscover his form of old. 4
One test izimangaliso:
Jonathan Trott – 19 iphelela - top score of 10 (okumaphakathi of 9.5)
Tortured batting display in his one test – followed by announcement that he was departing the tour. England missed the once rock of the side – fingers crossed he can comeback – but it’s a long road ahead
Gary Ballance – 25 iphelela - top score of 18 (okumaphakathi 12.5)
Very difficult time to make his debut in a side (batting line up especially) devoid of any confidence. Must be given a proper chance to succeed.
Chris Tremlett – 15 iphelela - top score of 8 (okumaphakathi 7.5); 36 overs, 5 maidens, 120 iphelela, 4 ngamawikhedi (okumaphakathi of 30 iphelela wicket ngayinye)
Not bad bowling stats hide the fact that he has lost a yard of pace since last on Australian shores. With the emergence of Stokes to support Anderson and Broad in the bowling unit and Onions chomping at the bit back home his days would appear numbered.
Scott Borthwick – 5 iphelela - top score of 4 - okumaphakathi 2.5; 13 overs, 0 maidens, 82 iphelela, 4 ngamawikhedi (20.50 iphelela ngayinye tim)
A brave decision by the selectors to pick a leg-spinner (the first leggie since Ian Salisbury played his last test in 2000 (ngokumelene Pakistan) – especially given the Australians’ determination to get after any spinner presented to them – Borthwick at least claimed a few scalps. England must decide who their spinner is going to be (Monty; Kerrigan or Borthwick) nenduku nabo isamba ehloniphekile isikhathi ukubona onesifo yini edingekayo (uma ekhona). Borthwick must play the next test if conditions suit.
Boyd Rankin - 13 iphelela - top score of 13 (okumaphakathi of 6.5); 20.5 overs, 0 maidens, 81 iphelela, 1 wicket (81 iphelela ngayinye tim).
Has so far succeeded at one day level – needs more time to see if will develop into a mainstay of the side but will face considerable opposition when the side is back on home soil.
Manje ngenxa Australia!!!
Chris Rogers — 463 iphelela, 2 centuries, 3 half centuries, amaphuzu phezulu 119 (okumaphakathi of 46.3)
Along with his opening partner David Warner Rogers time and time again got his side off to a good start with consistent performances – two tons and two half centuries says it all 7.5
David Warner – 523 iphelela, 2 centuries, 2 half centuries, amaphuzu phezulu 124 (okumaphakathi of 52.3)
Exactly the same as his partner Rogers, with only a few runs separating them. Has more than repaid the selectors’ faith in him following the off-field antics 8
Shane Watson — 345 iphelela, 1 century, 2 half centuries, amaphuzu phezulu 103 (okumaphakathi of 34.5); 47.4 overs, 17 maidens, 122 iphelela, 4 ngamawikhedi (okumaphakathi ngayinye tim of 30.50)
Useful contribution with the bat but able to bowl a few useful overs and keep the pressure up as well by taking of wickets 7
Michael Clarke - 363 iphelela, 2 centuries, amaphuzu phezulu 148 (okumaphakathi of 36.3)
Two outstanding and consecutive tons surrounded by mediocre totals; no matter – he strained every last sinew out of his entire team to demolish and demoralise England and claim a 5–0 whitewash 8.5
Steven Smith - 327 iphelela, 2 centuries, amaphuzu phezulu 115 (okumaphakathi of 36.33); 11 overs, 1 maiden, 58 iphelela, 1 wicket (avg per wicket 58)
Heralded as the series Smith came of age – are his runs down to his brilliance or collective ineptitude on England’s part. Kuyinto 50/50 call in my opinion – if he does the same when facing the South African pace battery when overseas then I’ll keep my trap shut 7
George Bailey — 183 iphelela, 1 half century, amaphuzu phezulu 53 (okumaphakathi of 22.87)
Obuthakathaka(ish) link in the Australian side with a disappointing series overall 5
Brad Haddin — 493 iphelela, 1 century, 5 half centuries, amaphuzu phezulu 118 (okumaphakathi of 61.62)
Derided as a journey man (ngokwam), Haddin was simply at the top of his game and knocked his critics for imperious sixes. England simply had no answer to him. He was the joint top player of the series — 10
Mitchell Johnson — 165 iphelela, 1 half century, amaphuzu phezulu 64 (okumaphakathi of 20.62); 188.4 overs, 51 maidens, 517 iphelela 37 ngamawikhedi (okumaphakathi of 13.97 iphelela ngayinye tim)
Simply outstanding. England just couldn’t cope with his pace – although again this says as much about the opposition than it does Johnson. But you can only bowl at what you are presented with and he lapped up the tasty morsels with great aplomb. More than one quarter of his overs was a maiden too. Excellent effort for a quick. Joint top player for Australia and overall 10
Ryan Harris – 117 iphelela, 1 half century, amaphuzu phezulu 55 (okumaphakathi of 19.5); 166.2 overs, 50 maidens; 425 iphelela, 22 ngamawikhedi (19.31 iphelela ngayinye tim)
Brilliant Ginger to Johnson’s Fred, what his fellow quick didn’t deal with Harris picked up. A perfect foil for Johnson and managed to stay fit as well. A few useful runs and again gave very few runs away with 50 maidens 9
Peter Siddle - 38 iphelela, amaphuzu phezulu 21 (okumaphakathi of 5.42); 156.4 overs, 48 maidens, 386 iphelela, 16 ngamawikhedi (okumaphakathi of 24.12)
Uma uFred Ginger naphakade wanquma ukuba siqashe i extra ke Siddle kwakuyobe kungenanjongo it. His bowling danced around the pitch as his targets displayed the footwork of club cricketers. If Johnson or Harris didn’t get you then Siddle would – a brilliant triple act – leaving England with no chance 8
Nathan Lyon – 60 iphelela - top score of 18 hhayi out (okumaphakathi of 10); 176.2 overs; 42 maidens; 558 iphelela, 19 ngamawikhedi (29.36 iphelela ngayinye tim)
Rather over-shadowed by the pace trio Lyon still picked up 19 wickets and was an integral part of the bowling attack 8
“Ibhola eliphinki libonakala limpunga/eliluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka ngokubomvu/okuhlaza ngokungaboni kahle, kuye ngokuqina kwayo. Ngenza ukulingisa ngobumpumputhe bemibala…”