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So, the first test is over – long live the Aussies! Once again the Australian cricket team has shown that it is top dog on home soil. If we look at the reasons for the crushing Australian win there are many clues which demonstrate why my team cruised so easily to an eventual victory on Monday. There were three main factors that came into play in this first game of what promises to be an epic series: winning (or losing) the toss; fitness and match practice; attitude.

The toss

Experts stated before the series began that the outcome of the toss would be pivotal in deciding the overall result at the end of each game. Many went further and said that the England captain would need to win 4 of the 5 tosses in order to retain the Ashes. Last Friday proved this point perfectly. I sat and watched Ponting and Flintoff (wearing their traditional baggy green and British blue caps) during those vital seconds as the coin spun in the air and then settled on the ground. Ricky had won this battle and it was a very good sign for the Aussie faithful. He chose to bat first – and bat he did! 196 runs for himself and 602 for the team as a whole. A massive score and one of the highest first innings totals ever by a test team at the GABBA. Winning the toss was essential to the Aussie win.

Fitness and match practice

The Australian team may be fairly old in comparison with the England team, but their performance pointed to an almost complete domination in terms of fitness and stamina. There’s been a lot of talk about McGrath, Langer and Hayden being past it, unable to take the pressures of a five-test series under the scorching Aussie summer sun. With wickets, runs and dazzling all-round performances, the old boys proved the critics wrong.

The fact that Australia had recently won the tough ICC champion’s trophy, as well as having a gruelling test schedule in 2006, seems to point to the fact that they have a level of match fitness (and therefore team ‘togetherness’) that is far superior to that of the English. Obviously time will tell if my analysis is correct, but for now it seems to be so.

Attitude

My final point has to do with attitude. From the evidence of the first test the Aussie team appears to be bursting at the seams with attitude. The first innings batting performances aptly demonstrated the fire in Australia’s belly, particularly contrasted against the erratic bowling performance of the English. However, it was when McGrath and Brett Lee hit the field that the difference in attitude became clear. The two opening bowlers (as well as new boy Stewart Clarke) dazzled the local crowds and frightened the Poms so much that they were all out for a measly 157. This awesome display inspired the rest of the team and soon our boys were electric in the field, not missing a beat and almost scaring the opposition into submission. Attitude and the will to win played an enormous part in our victory.

It all looks good for the second test and the country is abuzz with anticipation for Friday’s game. Let’s hope the news will be as positive for Aussie fans in our next edition! See you next week.

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