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.