5-0??? Can Australia whitewash England in the Ashes?

Who would have thought this would even be discussed a month ago. Australia have indeed shocked England, and the world with 2 complete annihilations. Such has been the manner in which England have been beaten that just after 2 tests, there is a very good chance of a whitewash.
There has been little comfort for England on or off the field since the beginning of the Ashes series. But their major problem is their batting. It is England’s failure to make 400 in any of their previous 17 Test innings - a run that stretches back to Wellington in March - that remains at the heart of their difficulties. In this series too, they have not scored above 200 in 3 out of the 4 innings. No English batsman has scored a century, no one averages above 45. It is the failures of Bell, Pietersen and Cook which is hurting England the most. Without these 3 being in form, even managing a draw would be tough.

In recent times, whenever the batting has failed, England’s bowlers have delivered. This Ashes they have fared so poorly, that 4 out of the 5 highest wicket takers are Australian, with Broad only being the silver lining and they have managed to dismiss the Australians only once in 4 innings. Swann is struggling and is being going for runs too. As they say, the only way to win a Test match is to take 20 wickets. With their counterparts in Mitchell Johnson, Siddle and Harris in their prime form, England prove no match. To add to that, England’s fielding has been pathetic to say the least, with catches being dropped with ease.

Another reason tilting towards a whitewash is the tiredness in the English cricketers. The departure of Jonathan Trott from England’s tour of Australia is the latest piece of evidence to suggest that England’s schedule may be unsustainable for some players, coaches and support staff on a personal level. The somewhat intense atmosphere within the England camp, caused as much by media demands and public scrutiny as the demanding set-up, might also be a contributory factor.

So quite clearly, England have problems whereas Australia are clearly in form. A whitewash?? Well, England will surely lose the series, but they do have enough talent to not lose a match. Pietersen, Bell, Cook and Prior will fire atleast one to salvage a draw or two. But I can’t see England winning a match. For them to do so will require a Herculean task by all the 11 individuals which looks tough. They need to believe that they can still make a comeback and unless this belief is back, Australia will make merry. In all probability, for the Ashes, at least, the party is over, the song is sung, the jig is up.