My Verdict: The cream always rises to the top..

England retained the Ashes in Melbourne into the early hours of this morning (GMT) and what a way to do it.

Andrew Strauss's boys emphatically won by an innings plus, totally destroying Australia in the process. Fittingly, Tim Bresnan weighed in with 4-50, picked ahead of beanpole bowler Steven Finn, showing why he can do the business in the bowling department.

'Bres' took the final wicket of Ben Hilfenhaus to skittle the hosts to 258 all out (Ryan Harris absent hurt).

This is the first time England have won 'down under' since Mike Gatting's heroes did the job 24 years ago, and this was no better time to win here than any other before.

Currently four Tests now played, England humiliated Australia at the MCG. Bowled out for 98 on Day One, the game was lost by an innings and 157 runs, with the press calling for Ponting's resignation after losing 3 of the last 4 Ashes series.

Roll back five years ago, and the nPower Ashes Test was well under way. Ricky Ponting was skipper for this one, leading the likes of Hayden, Langer, Martyn, Gilchrist, Warne, Lee and McGrath. Legends of yesteryear, who all at once, went in one clump. Here, lead by Michael Vaughan, enjoyed our very own heroes. Flintoff most notably amongst Hoggard, Harmison, opened with Trescothick and followed by by Strauss himself. Now known as the 'Greatest Test Series, Ever', England won 3-2, with the following year with the return fixture, and this was one to forget for newly appointed skipper, Andrew Flintoff.Oh how we took a hammering. Warne claimed Collingwood as his 700th Test victim, Ponting wrecked havoc amongst England's bowlers, consistently scoring hundreds. McGrath on-song as per, followed up by Brett Lee's devastating pace, with the exception of the 551 scored in the Second Test, England failed to get close to Australia's standards.

Fast forward to 2009, and everything changes. Australia came to England with the urn, currently going through a process of changes. McGrath retired in 2007 after the ICC World Cup, Shane Warne hung up his bowling boots a year later in 2008, and the Ashes winning team of 2002/3 and 2006/7 soon went altogether, allowing fresh crop of players to come to the forefront of the International stage. Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle, Phillip Hughes, even Mike Hussey, one of the older-heads of the group were allowed to open his wings. Ponting's job became harder. He didn't have the 'Golden Generation' to help come up with the goods. Here, the responsibility became twice as hard. Nontraditional in the Ashes Test schedule sense, the First Test was held in Cardiff, historically, and not Lords. It didn't disappoint.

Dramatically - not as exciting as 2005, but in terms of getting on over the Aussie's, this was equivalent as the last Ashes here. They wouldn't of thought so at the time, but it was pretty inevitable to say which way Aussie's were going.

Unlike England, Australia didn't nurture young with the old, bedding them in on the big scene, learning from the best. Instead, the ACB decided to stick it out for as long as possible, sitting on top of the world, and thinking of the present and living off the past. What they hadn't realised was, Steve and Mark Waugh wasn't around. Neither were the greats - Hayden, Langer and Warne and co. Albeit, they thought that the next generation of cricketers can emulate these legends, and a term used NOT out of context. This was misunderstood, as it will be probably impossible to achieve what these have achieved, winning Ashes series after another, dominating world cricket in every format possible. However, England went the right way about it. When Vaughan retired, another was waiting in the wings. Step forward Alastair Cook, who hit a masterful 200+ at Chelmsford, Essex, ironically versus the Aussies in 2005. Cook, despite a bad run of form prior to the 2010 Ashes, is currently the leading run scorer now, ahead of Mike Hussey, and showing his true, potential talent. When Hoggard hadn't been selected, Stuart Broad was waiting in the wings. The trend was was rotational. Future stars were tried, not necessarily dumped, but just gaining that extra little bit more help and advice in what will make them quality players.

In stark contrasts to our rivals, our policy has paid off. Success wasn't instant, but within itself, it was eventual that we would become successful. The cream always rises to the top as they say, and England have had their just rewards.

Cook in his first Test, hit a patient 67 and surprised many with a world-class 235 not out currently on 577 tour runs so far, with one to play. Trott, not really a youngster, and as Atherton described him after retaining the Ashes, "the babe of the team", quite inexperienced, but a very stubborn number 3. He has settled in nicely at 3, playing an anchor role, frustrating the bowlers and not showing much weakness. Trott averages 111.25, scoring 445 runs, one place behind Hussey.

Stuart Broad, in his first Ashes series 'down under', fell unfortunately to an injury, that forced him to go back home after playing two tests. Despite being fairly economical, he averaged at 80. However, he didn't have chance to bowl at Perth and Melbourne, and the final one in Sydney, so to call his game wouldn't be fair. Broad has so many exciting years ahead of him, and will have many more chances to go back to Australia, and continue retaining the Ashes.

England have never really had a consistent spin bowler. Robert Croft has tried; to a certain extent, Monty Panesar has tried, but not gone; we can even look back to Richard Dawson who went to Australia last time around; but no one has come as close than what Graeme Swann has over the past couple of years. His performances has made him a cult hero, even his Sprinkler dance on  Swanny's Diary has become something special. Nonetheless, he has been outstanding. Swann has 13 series wickets now, and despite his average being 37.30, he has took vital and important wickets, those mainly being Hussey, his former Northamptonshire team mate many moons ago.

Steven Finn emerged as a hot prospect for the future with fantastic tours to Bangladesh and a home series versus Pakistan, Finn found himself on the plane to Australia, deservedly. Although he was tactically dropped, not just because of his expensive spells, Finn has 14 wickets to his name, behind Jimmy Anderson on 17. This boy has so much talent. A young body with an old head, he knows what he is doing. He will have learned so much from this, and this isn't the end of the tour yet for Finn. He can still contribute to a vast amount of games.

On the other hand, Australia are having to go through a transitional period, chopping and changing. Knee-jerk reactions and high amount of demands, Australia are faltering in more ways than one. Ponting has come under severe amount of pressure, losing the previous series to India, and most recently not regaining the Ashes from England. The Aussie's have seen a large amount of players come and go, and not performing when needed.

Changes are imminent as well as inevitable. As well as the players on the field, it could also mean changes behind the scenes. Ponting must take the fall for this more so than anyone. He has been allowed to select his own players who he has felt that could do the job, and failed..massively.

Just as so, Ponting has took full responsibility for losing the Ashes. He still has the chance to restore some pride in the Aussie camp, levelling the series in Sydney, but no matter what the result is, the critics will be on the case more than ever now. He has endured a disastrous series, scoring a lowly 113 runs at 16.14 in eight innings. This form suggests and asks questions of his place in the squad, let alone his captaincy abilities. I've always backed Ponting, as a  world-class player. His statistics don't lie, he's averaging well over 50 and scored an astonishing 12300+ runs. But, in modern day cricket, you are vulnerable to the worst if you fail to perform. And Ponting has struggled.

So where do they go from here? It's all in the air. But, if someone of Steve Waugh's calibre questions your authority, then you are in the brown stuff. Ponting is set to sit down with the ACB and discuss the future. He has too much pride to continue playing if he has been stripped of the captaincy. Personally, I can not see him continuing if this is the case. The chances of him carrying on AFTER the Fifth Test are slim.

It's a long and winding road for the Aussie's. As an Englishman, it's a pleasure to see them fall beneath us, but for a neutral of the game, it'd be nice to see Ponting recapture his form that has seen him become one of the best number 3's in the world.

The Ashes - statistics.

In this special Christmas Day blog, I look at all the stats and figures between two massive cricket rivals, and in the world of sport.

Currently, to start things off, as well know, the series is tied at 1-1. After drawing the First Test, England took the Second Test and drew first blood. To secure the Ashes and to bring home that famous little urn, England only need one more win. Traditionally known as the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, England's record in MCG isn't a good omen for Strauss and co, but going into the Ashes as favourites, they can go into this Test very confident, despite losing the Third Test. Since the 1990 Ashes Series Down Under, England's record is abysmal; winning only once in 1998, and losing the rest (1990, 1994, 2002 and 2005), each being heavy defeats.

Here, I look at individual stats on players in this years Ashes Series Down Under:

Mike Hussey currently tops this years highest run scorers list, hitting 517 runs in five innings. Incredibly, 'Mr Cricket' has an average of 103.40 with an highest score of 195. Hussey went into this year's Ashes under form, and under fire of his position, with pundits and fans-alike questioning his place. Hussey has responded in fine manner. Technically correct, and forming a very strong partnership with wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, Hussey has become a brick wall for the English bowling attack, becoming a stubborn batsman and at most times, helping his skipper Ricky Ponting out of a very big hole, in which he has consistantly dug himself into. In his previous ten Test outings, including the Series versus India,  Pakistan and New Zealand, Hussey, going into the Ashes 2010/11, had an average of 28.55, which by an Australian point of view, is not healthy no matter who your opponent is. He recorded only one not out versus Pakistan at Lords, scoring 56. Only 67 was his previous highest in the last ten innings, and this was versus New Zealand in Hamilton earlier this year.

Alastair Cook was also another player to be questioned, but for the English. Cook made a name for himself for Essex in Australia's tour match at Chelmsford. Cook has been on the fringes of the England Test side, but never quite broke in until the English selectors recognised his marvellous 214. However, this year has saw Cook struggling for form in all forms of cricket. Also looking back on Cook's past ten knocks in the Test arena, he also struggled. Only scoring 226 runs in ten innings at an average of 22.6, Cook's highest score was 110 versus Pakistan at The Oval in August this year. Selectors reviewed Cook, and decided to back him for the Ashes, returning the decision to select him with magnificent shows, scoring 450 runs in three innings, and one not out, at an average of 225. Despite his last two innings being less than 40, (32 and13), Cook has now become one of the series feared batsman, amongst Hussey, where the bookmakers have got made the highest run-scorer a two-horse race.

Tasmanian Ricky Ponting is not having the series that he really wanted. Despite going into the series on the back of three consecutive 70+ runs (71,72 and 77), Ponting's leadership has been thrown into doubt, losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India 2-0. This was not a preparation the Aussie selectors would of liked, going into the Ashes series below England in the ICC Test Rankings. However, facts does not lie, and Ponting's statistics prove why he is recognised as one of the worlds best batsman. An average of 53.85, he has scored 12,333 runs in Test cricket in a career spanning over 15 years. Ponting is no mug, regardless of whether the Barmy Army dislike him or not. Despite all this, he has come under some fierce scrutiny by legends and pundits, calling for Ponting to step down as captain, and allow someone like Michael Clarke to take over. With only one not out in this series, in the First Test in the fourth innings (51*), Ponting has scored a disastrous 31 runs in 5 innings, with his highest being 12 (twelve) in the Third Test in Perth. Only 10 (ten) was his previous high (excluding his 51*) in the past five innings, and in the world of cricket nowadays, especially in international cricket, your form can prove fatal if it doesn't improve, and Ponting must recognise this fact very soon, or he could find himself on the scrapheap with the likes of Darren Lehmann, Stuart MacGill and Michael Bevan.

Paceman Steven Finn of Middlesex enjoyed a summer season of cricket with England. Only 21 years of age, Finn made his debut versus Bangladesh in March 2010. As this Ashes series shows, Finn can be expensive as well as economical, and despite being the leading wicket taker Down Under, Finn has come under some criticism, and his place and has come in doubt for being too expensive. For the majority of this series, Finn has found his economy of his figures become above five for the majority of the time. He averages at 26.23 with a current best of 6/125 in an innings and a best match figures of 9/187 and having played only 11 Tests in his international career, to take 43 wickets only at 21 is very impressive. He has a lot to learn, and can only learn and improve with this Test series in Australia. Nonetheless, Finny as he known as by his colleagues, is a bright talent and could lead a very sharp, dangerous attack with potentially Stuart Broad and James Anderson.

Overall, this Ashes series just gets better and better. England won't roll over this like they have done over previous tours in Australia. Australia went into this series as second-best and behind England in the world rankings, but everything goes out of the window when the first ball is bowled. Statistics mean nothing, other than the fact that it is 1-1 going into the Boxing Day Test. England need one more win to win retain the Urn, but the Aussie's just seem to have gained momentum after winning the Third Test in Perth.

It's all to play for.

Merry Christmas to all.

Ton-up Tendulkar reaches milestone



 Sachin Tendulkar, affectionately known as 'the little master' reached another landmark in South Africa on Sunday, hitting his 50th Test match century, whilst surpassing 14,500 Test career runs.

India's most successful batsman couldn't prevent a defeat to the Proteas, but this wouldn't stop Tendulkar celebrating in style.

Eleven more centuries ahead than Australia's Ricky Ponting, Tendulkar, 37, may be at his twilight of his career, but he is an absolute joy to watch. Currently apart of the best Test nation in the world currently, dismissed his 50th ton as 'just a number', but to us cricket fans around the world, it is a remarkable achievement by any stretch of the imagination, and one that probably won't be reached for many years to come.

Tendulkar was only 16 when he made his Test debut in Karachi versus Pakistan in 1989 late in November, and it was only a few weeks later he was making his One Day International debut in December, in Gujranwala. (Obviously I wasn't born in 1989) But to make your TEST and ODI debut at the age of 16 is quite incredible. You must have some talent, and boy this is what he had.

He is the most feared batsman ever in the modern day. His technique is perfect. He has no weakness, no bad shots, no bad habits. Simply perfection.

India, and the world of cricket has been blessed with such special talent, and fortunately not overused in the world of cricket, the term simply defines Tendulkar.

The little master is up there with the greats of the game. Don Bradman, Brian Lara, today's players in Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting. But Tendulkar must top this list, if not top two, behind Bradman, who is believed to be the best the game has ever seen.

I have never, ever had the privilege to see Tendulkar in reality, but watching him on television, playing in series all over the world, whatever the format of the game, but you know when Tendulkar walks out to bat, you are destined to see a fine performance.

He probably has a few more years left in him, now at 37 years of age, and he isn't getting any younger, but his performances on the field haven't declined since he first took the field. Tendulkar has textbook written all over him, and for all the youngsters out there wanting to be a batsman, take note of him, learn his ways, because once he bows out of the game, you will see no one better than Tendulkar to learn from.