As Warne started to take hold England's batsmen played like midnight worriers who hope to wake with everything solved. As well as Australia performed - always remember a spectacular recovery and one of the finest victories of the Taylor-Waugh-Ponting era - it was excruciating to watch their opponents dissolve so meekly. From the start there was no attempt to make runs. For that they deserved to suffer.

The closing stages of day four had been bright but everything changed by morning. The attitude of Duncan Fletcher, all arm-folds and scowls, had infected the team. He wanted caution. Wanted to wait and see what would happen in the opening session before deciding on an approach. By then it was almost too late. At 5 for 89 there was still space to recharge but after lunch it was the same bloody-mindedness.

Paul Collingwood defended like Trevor Bailey and showed no interest in protecting his lower-order until the last-gasp arrival of James Anderson. The breakthrough of the first-innings 206 was replaced by a breakdown. He remained not out on 22 but in the context of the result who cared?

Making runs, any runs, was more valuable than eating up time, although the methods were magnificently complementary. Collingwood faced 119 balls, struck two fours and let his team down. A half-century, even some intent to attack or a desire to hit something loose - there were opportunities - would have ensured more fame and a draw. Block, leave, pad-up, defend. Take a single, leave the tail-ender exposed, watch them scatter like the ground's seagulls.

Once Ponting cut loose the result was never in doubt © Getty Images

Thirty runs came before lunch on a pitch that was the base for 1123 in the first 12 sessions. Another 40 were added until the innings closed at tea. The 1950s must have been like this. Throughout the second session England's supporters clapped dot balls and firm pushes to fielders. Only the Barmy Army's banned trumpeter playing The Great Escape could have added to the hopelessness.

Warne spun the ball wickedly, Steve Bucknor started the procession with a bad decision, but the rest was England's fault. Australia were set 168 in 36 overs when 200 might have been too many. It was not a cruise but once Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey steadied there was little doubt about a 2-0 lead. A seven, courtesy of a run three and four overthrows from Kevin Pietersen, added to English scowls and Australian boasts.

For any other team the thought of a win would have died two days ago. John Buchanan sounded like a crackpot on Saturday when he suggested a step-by-step walk to victory. A day later Ponting spoke about how confident they would be when chasing. The hyperbole became reality.

Fletcher just sat on his hands. He wanted to let the game unfold instead of influence it. England no longer require his blinkered vision. This was a fantastic result for Australia but a disaster for such a marquee series.

The English negative approach on Tuesday reminded me of a comment made by Richie Benaud in an interview some years ago which went something like this. "I do not know how many times Ian Chappell and myself have sat down after a days play or Test match and wondered why England had settled for a draw instead of pursuing the win when they had the opportunity to influence the result".

Its a fair article! Why would any coach play Read and Panesar throughout the summer and then replace them with a defensive bowler (he was out injured for a year!!!) and a wk who always self-destructs under pressure. All of England, me included are saying why? Does Fletcher want to be pushed? Why is Harmy underdone? When did Anderson last play a test? England deserve to lose 5-0.
I am so disappointed with the selection of the team. I could handle the loss in the last ashes series in oz(2002-2003) because we had no bowlers and we were not good enough but this series sucks! We have the players but the preparation is hopeless.Get rid of fletcher, his one day record is rubbish, we are not aggressive enough, you always have to give it to the aussies, get in their faces.Australia showed no respect before the ashes series in the uk and they paid the penalty, why did we not learn from their mistake! Fair play to punter, hes good, but hussey is the best in oz team. Hayden and marto are past it.

Peter,
Nice to see some honest commentary on the test.
I am bewildered that the majority of post match commentary says England was in control for four days.
Firstly, England scored to slowly on a benign pitch, and then declared with to few runs on the board with wickets in hand. England then missed opportunities in the field through poor field settings, unimaginative & undisciplined bowling and missed opportunities, the Ponting dropped catch a prime example.
In short England lost control from the moment after they won the toss.
An Australian win was always on the cards going in to day 4 because of England’s negative approach, yet I am not aware of any commentator suggesting anything but a draw?
Day 5, well enough said about that, & most of it accurate.

Keep up the good work.
Regards,

Alan

You representatives of the British Media should really be ashamed to call yourself cricket fans. All teams have up & downs and you should support your team & its players when they are down as much as you enjoy supporting (and boasting of success) when they win. As an Australian supporter I am proud to say that our media has not become as acerbic towards our players as you & your contemporaries are to the English players.

Give them more support and you will be surprised at the change in the players attitudes and to Australia's detriment most likely at the change in the English fortunes. Become more positively supporting.