Does it matter if we win at Sydney?

We’d like to hear your thoughts today about the significance – or otherwise – of winning the final test at the SCG. But before we get on to that, a quick word on Ricky Ponting, whose broken finger has now ruled him out of the match. In his absence, Michael “what ever happened to my runs?” Clarke will captain, while Usman Khawaja will take his place as a batsman.

In some quarters, there may be a little sympathy for Ricky Ponting. His team drubbed, and his captaincy humiliated, this final misfortune is one indignity too many. No such attitude will be tolerated in these parts! No feeling sorry for Punter, please.

This is test match cricket: players get injured, and one team has to lose. On this occasion, it’s the Australians’ turn on both counts. By the same token, how much sympathy has there ever been for English injuries during an Ashes pasting? At the start of the much-hyped 2001 series, in which England were felt to have a chance, we were hammered in the first test at Edgbaston, during which Nasser Hussain broke his finger and was sidelined for the next two matches. I for one do not recall Steve Waugh offering his commiserations.

It’s hard to say how Ponting’s absence will affect the prospects for Sydney. Australia have lost their leader, their talisman, and – still – their best batsman. On the other hand, you often see sides who’ve already lost the series trophy, and then change the captain, bounce back in the final test for a consolation win. That’s exactly what happened with us against South Africa in 2008, when KP triumphed in his first test in charge, at the Oval. There’s a sense of re-booting, of clearing out baggage – and in the same way, football teams usually win their first fixture under a new manager.

From a batting perspective, Punter may well have had one last great innings in him – but since Cardiff 2009, has been pretty much a walking wicket for us. Even if Khawaja gets a pair, Australia won’t be losing out much in terms of runs.

The news about Ponting is however a distraction from the real business to attend to: celebrating our retention of the Ashes. It’s only been 36 hours so far – we should still be enjoying it, and savouring the moment. We did it! We retained the urn, in Australia! Pure sweetness and bliss. This is what it’s all been for – all the worry, anxiety and nerves of the last six weeks, and the pain and humiliation of the previous twenty years.

For five series in a row, we’ve been hammered in Australia. This time, we leave with the Ashes in our possession – for only the fifth time since the war. The full scale of the achievement hasn’t yet quite sunk in.

Andy Flower, understandably, wants to shift the focus back to the here and how, and stress the squad’s single-minded determination to win at Sydney. But is that as important as it sounds? Here are the two schools of thought:

It’s doesn’t matter The urn is all. The only purpose of this series was to contest the Ashes; that’s now done, the series is effectively dead, and the last match doesn’t count. There is nothing really significant at stake for either side, only the cosmetics. For both players and fans on either side, possession of the Ashes is all that ever matters. As a supporter, this is the view I subscribe to personally.

It does matter We haven’t yet beaten Australia in Australia, and unless we win or draw at Sydney, we still won’t have done since 1986/7. 2-2 would be a travesty for a series in which we’ve dominated three out of four matches, and allow the Australians to claim the spurious moral high ground. Defeat would be hugely deflating, dent our confidence ahead of the World Cup and India, and give Australia an emotional filip when the prepare for the 2013 Ashes.

What do you think?

Maxie Allen

9 comments

  • It matters more to Australia than to England. It’s Clarke’s baptism of fire, he is expected to fill his VC boots and to win at his home ground. If he fails I’m not sure what’s going to happen. The outcome shouldn’t matter much to England, but it could have a major impact on the route Aus are taking.

    Cheers,
    Wes

  • That’s interesting. In most recent series in Australia, we’ve won a consolation victory in the last or penultimate test, after losing the Ashes. At the time, it’s been regarded as little more than a bit of fun, and with no real consequence, save for averting a 5-0.

  • It does matter to England as the objective was to win the series and that has not changed. 2-2 would be similar to drawing a cup tie and going through on away goals – technically a win but unsatisfying and leaves question marks against the team.
    Australia are stuck on the ropes having taken a beating and its time for England to deliver a knock out blow.

  • Yes – it does matter… though nowhere near as much as not losing matters!

    A 3-1 series win would be wonderful, and just reward for the work that the whole squad have put in. A 2-1 series win would also be lovely, and worthy of serious celebration.

    However, a 2-2 drawn series – against a team of which only 4 members have played to anywhere near international standards – would be a serious embarrassment and a considerable under-performance. This team is good enough to beat the current Aussie squad and should be expected to do so. To let up now and to lose in Sydney would be admit that the Aussies could beat us pretty much with one hand tied behind their backs, with only minor improvement!!!

  • If England come home looking back at a 2-2 drawn series, I think it would be a major injustice as England have been by far the better team.

    I would settle for a week of rain myself, as I’m not convinced the players are going to be that hungry. I hope I’m wrong though.

    I think it matters, I just hope the players do.

  • A win in Sydney is essential for England for a number a reasons, perhaps most important of which is maintaining a psychological stranglehold over the Aussies.

    England, in particular Strauss and Andy Flower, have high ambitions to become the number one test team and do that they need to achieve some consistency. Too often in the past we’ve seen England take their foot off the pedal once an important test or series has been won e.g. The period inbetween the 2005 and 2006/7 Ashes series. Flower and Strauss need to develop a cold ruthlessness that kills complacency if they want go a long winning streak.

    I’m

  • It matters. 2-2 is only a draw.

    England need to win series if they want to be the best in the world. They don’t want to become like arsenal, look good, but fail to kill sides off.

  • It’s very important we at least draw in Sydney. Australia don’t deserve to tie the series and they’ll make sure we know about it if they escape with 2-2.

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