The Ashes, 4 Th Test, Melbourne, Day 4

[ChillDoubt]

..will get underway shortly.
As a result of the most spectacular collapse since Alec Guinness fell on the detonator on the banks of the River Kwai, England went from 173-5 to 179 all out.
As a result, we went from potentially restoring some pride and confidence to an outfit who made the Keystone Cops look like a crack crime fighting unit.
I fully expect the Aussies to knock off the necessary by about half an hour after tea and earn themselves another extra day off with which to steel themsleves in preparation for the probable 5-0 drubbing.

I seriously cannot see Oz imploding as spectacularly as we did and any light at the end of the tunnel will probably be the headlight of the steamrolling juggernaut building up some serious pace.

[weecalf]

Would there have been about four gongs in the England touring party if it was 4-0 the other way I wonder .

[seekeerz]

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee. !!!

[humbersloop]

yep, well played baggy greens, credit to Rogers and Watson

[ChillDoubt]

Yes, hats off to the Aussies, though they were never really put under any serious pressure.
Some of Cook's bowling choices and subsequent field placings were mind boggling, to the point where I thought he wanted Oz to knock them off as quick as possible as he was on a promise somewhere!
I know the Ashes are dead and buried, the body having been cremated but there will be a major autopsy performed on the performance when we get back home and I'm expecting surgical removal of several major organs in that side and set up!

[humbersloop]

The Aussies aren't the greatest side, but they've been an object lesson in application since the off here - Sqad's money on the series is looking pretty safe.

After five good years that should be acknowledged, Flower to fall on his sword after Sydney you'd think, and then who knows?

[jno]

poor performance. How many wickets would they have needed, taking into account all the drops? Probably about 30. The bowlers have been let down by the fielding all series.

Nice to see Cook giving Root a bowl before Monty. What a masterstroke of captaincy, just ignore your spinner. Sheesh.