Ashes 2017-18: Five Things We Learned From The 5th Test At The SCG

Australia were peripheral all summer in their quest to regain the urn and they decimated England to seal the five-match Test series 4-0. In the dead-rubber Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Steve Smith’s side came out with the same intent and hunger as they overcame the tourists comfortably on the fifth day to win by an innings and 123 runs.
It was a collective performance of sorts with both the batsmen and bowlers staying true to their responsibilities and getting their performances do the talking as England failed to take anything out from this Test. The fans were overwhelmed across the five days with some breathtaking performances by the hosts with so much at offer that made the outing at the SCG a successful affair.
ALSO READ: Ashes 2017-18: Australia thump England at SCG to win Test series 4-0
England made 346 runs in their first innings and from there on it was all Australia. Their 649/7 with some great individual hundreds paved the way for a win before the bowlers came in and completed the show. Everybody did their job and helped Steve Smith notch a special victory.
Former players of both sides lauded the show by the hosts as they excelled in all facets of the game all along the series.
Here are the five things we learned from the impeccable victory at the SCG  by Australia.
Two poor  moments in 1st innings sees England lose momentum: England got off to a decent start in Sydney and looked like they would make the most out of the friendly SCG pitch to pile on runs. But the Aussies had something else in mind. Just when England threatened with the bat, they were two mini collapses in pivotal moments of the game on Day 1. 1) Just before tea, 2) Just before the end of day’s play. Cummins got James Vince to nick a wide delivery, before Josh Hazlewood was prolific once again to trap Alastair Cook in front and had a successful review. The duo till then had added a 60-run stand. At the end of the day’s play, Joe Root perished on 83, before Jonny Bairstow got out seeing England end the day at 233/5.
Khawaja joins the party finally: The 31-year-old southpaw defined his No. 3 position with a superb 171 runs. It was an innings of substance with a lot of patience and maturity into play. His innings was laced with 18 fours and a six. The way he played against the spinners was a show of strength. He brought up his fifty with a solid six off Moeen Ali as he kept going on being very watchful to stick out his bat for a long time. He shared two substantial partnerships in the match. A 188-run stand with Steve Smith was the stand out show that laid the platform before adding another 101 runs with Shaun Marsh.
‘Marsh Brothers’ two good: Shaun and Mitchell had one of their best moments in Test cricket after putting the England bowlers at bay. On one side Shaun showed he still has a lot to offer in the middle order for the Aussies with a superb 156 runs. His contribution as a senior member of the side was phenomenal once again as he notched his 2nd ton of the series. His younger brother too has been a revelation after coming back from injury going on to score 101. He got off to a slow start but from there accelerated taking the steam out of English bowlers. The duo shared a majestic 269 runs for the fifth wicket.
Root’s illness a crucial factor in 2nd innings: The English skipper battled hard and looked solid with the bat. He played nicely to negotiate the Aussie attack and showed character. His 83 in the first innings was followed by another good show. The issue with Root has been not converting the fifties into hundreds and getting out at pivotal moments, but he should be lauded for scoring consistently. He was in the hospital suffering dehydration but battled back on the fifth day to get to his fifty. Post lunch he was ill once again and retired ill. Credit to Root for playing the way he did.
Cummins, Lyon a revelation: Australia knew that their premier spinner would be handy bowling on the fourth and fifth day at the SCG. He did just that sharing the bulk of the work and getting dividends for the same. He dismissed Mark Stoneman and Alastair Cook with two stunning deliveries to set up the game for his side. In the first session o Day 5, he broke Moeen Ali’s resistance and got him out for the seventh time in the series. Cummins meanwhile picked 8 wickets in the 5th Test and charged in on the final day to pick three quick wickets and win the game for his side.