Embers flicker even after the ASHES have been smeared!

The series proved to be a stellar validation to England's remarkable transformation in their Test cricket approach.

Embers flicker even after the ASHES have been smeared!

(L) Pat Cummins' Australia retain the Urn; (R) Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali bid adieu to Test Cricket (Image Credits: Getty Images)

These are testing times for Test cricket, or so we thought. The last two months have brought out the nuances of the most pristine form of cricket with the red ball, all of it happening in England. If, first, the Aussies under Pat Cummins won the ICC Test Championship final emphatically against the Indians, the Ashes has been engrossing.

A 2-2 series result is just what the doctor had ordered. There was everything you could ask for to keep you engrossed, even though the India versus West Indies stuff, in Tests and then ODIs was/is poor stuff.

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Was there one winner in the riveting rivalry between two of the oldest rivals in Test cricket? Not really, for, a 2-2 series draw was pulsating. Just that the way England came out firing on Monday, the last day, was legendary stuff.

There have been issues, there have been tense moments, banters, and more. From rain robbing England of victory in the fourth Test to ball change coming under the scanner on the second last day of the series, controversies kept cropping up. All of it was in good spirit, though the refusal to share spirits or beer, has also come in for copious criticism.

It has been a habit, rather a tradition, the two bitter rivals, England and Australia, gulp down a few beers after the series. The Aussies say they kept waiting and England did not come. The latest one hears is the Englishmen hit the pub, something which is part of their daily lives. After all, the pub is the most important component in the lives of a Brit, be it the common man or a celebrity. Pubs are like the go-to place to express happiness as well as drown sorrow! In fact, none needs a reason to go to the pub. It’s culture.

One cannot doubt the quality of leadership, which was on view in this series, first from Pat Cummins and then Ben Stokes. Legends, both, in their own right, competing in the Ashes has ensured Test cricket is alive and kicking. After all, now and then we keep hearing of a bang or a thud in a T20 league which grabs eyeballs. Yet, it is Test cricket that has managed to stay relevant.

Also Read: Explained: Here is why Ben Stokes’ catch of Steve Smith in fifth Ashes Test was illegitimate

The Ashes have been capped on a high

Stuart Broad Ashes
In his ultimate stint as a Test cricketer, Stuart Broad delivered a searing blow to Aussies (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Was there a cheeky reference from Ben Stokes if Bazball would work in India early in 2024? Well, on doctored pitches which India prepares, and the ball turns from Day 1, the cricket is boring. If at all Test cricket has to be enchanting and elements come into play, it had to be like Monday. There was a rain break and then England came out, fired up.

Perhaps, this was the tonic they needed to make the ball talk. Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad ensured that England would win, leaving many with moist eyes. To be sure, such wins do not happen in an ODI or T20 internationals. Broad signed out from Test cricket forever and what a platform he chose to do. The best cricketers struggle to get their timing right with retirement. Not Broad, not Moeen Ali.

Ali has already said that he will not be traveling to India. In fact, he has said if he gets a message from his captain Ben, he will delete it. That’s the character of these guys, been there, done that. To have capped the Ashes on a high and look back at the last seven weeks with satisfaction is lovely. Then again, no narration is complete with the Aussies also showing grit and fight. Fans thought David Warner was done and dusted, no he is still relevant. There are many more in the Baggy Green caps who showed they could deliver against their most bitter rivals.

Strangely, England do not play Test cricket for the next 177 odd days. Yes, that’s strange. The way these guys score runs in Test cricket is a joy to watch. With India versus Pakistan in Test cricket now impossible given the political climate, one has to see the Ashes to understand the nuances of Test cricket.

Did we hear someone say this is the year of the ICC ODI World Cup? Oh, ya, that can wait.

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