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Ashes where they belong

Australia's fifth day victory at Perth to regain the Ashes had an air of inevitability to it. Since outplaying England in the first Test at Brisbane, and sparking a breathtaking final-day triumph at Adelaide, the world champion's progress towards reclaiming the coveted urn has been, well, awesome. The defeat in England in 2005 clearly stung Ricky Ponting's men. "We've had a long time to think about it," explains the skipper, who led by magnificent, Bradmanesque example. "We worked harder than ever before and all that work has come through in our play ... we have turned it around and played some unbelievable cricket." Australia's 3-0 win, coming on the back of the Champions Trophy triumph in the subcontinent, proves beyond doubt — not that there was much in the first place — that it is the best side in both forms of the game. Nothing illustrates Australia's passion for winning better than legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne's answer when asked what was left for him to achieve. "It's all about winning, mate," said the 37-year-old who is one shy of 700 Test wickets. "It has always been about winning."

Australia's victory must be particularly satisfying for the team members after being written off by former cricketers as being too old to compete. Relative newcomers Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, and Stuart Clark have complemented the old guard perfectly. Hussey's prolific and consistent batting was, in fact, one of the prime movers of the triumph. Australia's winning back the urn after only 462 days — the shortest period a side has held the trophy in the 124-year-long rivalry — and the fact that by the 2009 series it would have held the Ashes for over 18 of the last 20 years highlight its dominance. Although defeated, England shouldn't feel disheartened. The side was without its calming and astute leader Michael Vaughan, whose tactical facility played a decisive role in the last Ashes. Nor did it have opening batsman Marcus Trescothick, who pulled out with a stress-related illness. Despite some questionable selection decisions off the field, Andrew Flintoff's men managed pockets of spirited resistance and good cricket on it. Paul Collingwood showed that Australia could be countered with bloody-mindedness; Warne's mate, Kevin Pietersen, backed his extraordinary self-confidence and cockiness with innings of courage and skill; Monty Panesar revealed he has the temperament for the big stage to go with his undoubted talent, taking eight wickets in his first Ashes Test; Alastair Cook and Ian Bell showed the future of England's batting was in competent hands. But not for a moment during this series was there any question who was world champion.

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