The gap between the fourth Test where England polished off Australia to win back the Ashes was far too long. The celebrations had come and gone and this match almost felt like it belonged to another series (possibly even the last Ashes series considering the result).

It was a crushing defeat of an innings and 46 runs this time it wasn’t in England’s favour. The pendulum had once again swung but it was too little too late for Australia. It did however it proved just how inconsistent the series had been. Never before had such huge Test margins been seen where one team did not dominate. Only three other series’ had seen margins resembling the 169 runs, 405 runs, eight wickets, an innings and 78 runs, and an innings and 46 runs that occurred in the 2015 Ashes. Each of which ended in a 5-0 white wash. 18 days of play (the joint lowest) and not a single day 5 (the first ever in a five test series).

Regardless however, of the overall series results and it’s triviality, it was the perfect end to Chris Rogers and Michael Clarke’s Test careers. Australia’s captain-in-waiting scored a wonderful 143 and was backed up by David Warner and Adam Voges. Australia scored an immense total of 481. Unlike in Trent Bridge, this time it did seem like England were missing Jimmy Anderson. The bowlers struggled to remove the Australian’s that they had only a fortnight ago bowled out for 60. Stuart Broad who had been key in Nottingham was unable to find his rhythm and did not take a single wicket. England’s batting performance was as poor, 10 batsmen came and went in succession. Twice. An entire two innings worth of cricket, only Alastair Cook was able to score above 50.

It was an entertaining end, to an entertaining series. One that will be remembered for it’s extravagance rather than significance.

England have won back the Ashes as Australia in the fourth test appeared to play a poor rendition of the game duck duck goose.

The expected ‘return’ of the Australians never came. There was a lot of speculation about Jimmy Anderson and his side strain. Was his injury going to be England’s McGrath of 2005? Who would replace him? Would Stuart Broad be able to lead the attack? Just as Australia had bounced back from SWALEC to Lords, they were expected to do the same going from Edgbaston to Trent Bridge.

With ‘the king of swing’ out of the picture, this was Australia’s best chance of taking the series down to the fifth Test. The toss had feelings of deja vu from 2005. Alastair Cook won the toss and decided to bowl. The conditions were definitely good for bowling however without Jimmy, England were in unchartered waters. Jimmy had missed very few tests over the years through his reign as England’s spearhead and apart from Stuart Broad, the rest of the bowlers lacked real experience.

It seemed however that Alastair Cook had made the right decision. It was an incredible day of almost ODI like behaviour from Australia. They hadn’t learnt from their mistakes. ALL 11 players were the Brendon McCullum of the team. They had no Kane Williamson or Joe Root to steady the innings. 9 of the 10 wickets that fell were catches behind the batsmen. Only one of which was from the keeper. It was as though the innings was a package highlights from later that day. Australia were nine wickets down before they had even hit 50 runs. All out for 60 with ‘extras’ claiming top scorer for the innings. However the poor batting cannot take away from the fact that it was a phenomenal bowling and catching performance from England. Cook’s men had come through for him with Stuart Broad fitting perfectly into Anderson’s shoes. An incredible eight wicket haul for only 15 runs. His best ever Test figures. Backed up by Steven Finn and Mark Wood (who each picked up a wicket) and the slip cordon, Broad had basically won England the Ashes.

It was almost as though England were batting first. By the end of day 1, Australia were trailing by 214. Joe Root once again played a solid innings and scored a century to build up England’s lead. Backed up by Johnny Bairstow who scored a half century, England declared with a lead of 300+ on day two. A very ‘Michael Clarke-like’ decision from Alastair Cook.

Once again it was Australia’s turn to bat. To turn over a deficit of 331 AND build up an innings lead for England to chase. They got off to a solid start with Chris Rogers and David Warner scoring half centuries but it was all downhill from there. Only Adam Voges was able to muster a 51* as the rest of the batsmen continued to fall around him. This time it was Ben Stokes to do it for England, picking up his best test figures he removed both openers and picked up six wickets. Stokes hadn’t had a great Ashes but this test he proved himself worthy of the all-rounder position.
Australia lost the match by an innings and 78 runs and with it, the Ashes. It was a comprehensive performance from England who cleaned up the Ashes in 14 days of play.

It has taken a solid three days to recover from possibly the most incredible comeback in recent Test match cricket. The Ashes is shaping up to be one of the most exciting series’ since the 2005 spectacular with England bouncing back from a 400+ run loss to a win in just three days.

Just as Ricky Ponting had made the mistake of putting England in to bat, Michael Clarke apparently made the mistake of making England bowl.

It was a much more exciting pitch than any the Australians had faced so far, an English pitch with truly English conditions. England’s win in Cardiff was a surprise but their loss at Lords was not. The lifeless pitch at Lords was disappointing. It was a sign that they did not believe in their bowlers. A sign that they weren’t comfortable even at home, playing to their own strengths. It seemed from then that the Ashes had been decided.

Then came the Edgbaston test, with the barmy army’s trumpeter a grassy pitch and Jimmy Anderson. It was the perfect first day for England. Only one Australian batsman scored 20+. It was almost as poor a performance as England’s final stand at Lords. Australia were five down before they had reached 100, and there was no Brad Haddin to come and save the day. They were bowled out for a measly 136 in 37 overs with Jimmy Anderson picking up six wickets. Aptly labelled ‘king of swing’, Jimmy blew open the game for England. By the end of the first day, England had almost reached Australia’s score only three wickets down. Regardless of the result, there was going to be one here.

England went on with the help of Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad to pick up a lead of 145. The Australian bowlers caused less problems for the home side, some of the wickets were just given away, (such freedom in the Ashes for England is a rarity).

Once again though, Australia appeared to be out of their depth. As though this were the first Test again. They looked desperate and anxious to pick up a lead. It was only day two, they were already into their second innings and once again the wickets started to tumble. 2-72, 3-76… 5-92. Australia were in trouble with a real possibility of losing the test within two days. This time however, it was Steven Finn who was taking on the Aussies. The man who was ruled out as an Ashes option a few years ago had made a sensational return to the game. He outpaced Mitchell Johnson and picked up the second six-for of the match. It was a refreshing change for England, (especially once Jimmy was taken off from injury) to see what their attack will be post-jimmy era. A mild stand from Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc allowed Australia to pick up a lead but another half century from Ian Bell who had finally found some form guided England home.

England will severely feel the absence of Jimmy at Trent Bridge. Could this be their Glenn McGrath of the series? It will be a real test for Stuart Broad to spearhead the attack and bring the fight to Australia and win back the Ashes.