England Retain the Ashes

This really pales in comparison to 2005, 2009 and 2010/11

In probably the most "boring" decider to the Ashes series, since England's revival to respectable test side in 2005, England have retained the Ashes with Manchester's weather this time playing the key role.

It is indisputable that England have been the better side in 2 of the 3 tests played so far and therefore deserve to keep the Ashes but it is a big shame for cricketing fans that Australia couldn't quite get the 7 wickets they needed to win the test and keep the Ashes alive for at least one more test.

Manchester - good for football and that's it.

In what has been a diabolical series for umpires and officialdom, more umpiring controversy arose with Kevin Pietersen given out by the television umpire despite no sign on hotspot and relying on sound. Perhaps this one wasn't quite as controversial as Usman Khawaja's exit as on pictures, it did look like KP nicked it to the keeper while Khawaja's was well past his bat. One wonders if the pressure of the series has gotten to the umpires, some of them are indeed the best in the world, but have looked very ponderous and out of control in this series.

Australia will look back at a missed opportunity and some bad luck at the most inopportune time - I think Michael Clarke did everything right in this test including when to declare, and there's just nothing you can do when the weather comes. What cost them the Ashes was losing the first two tests in such an ignominous fashion.

Oh well, since there are no water-sprinkler dances - ironic given the weather haha - this time, I'll just put them up here since our Ashes celebrations have been reduced to respectable applause. At least, the next Ashes is only a couple of months away in sunny Australia.