Ashes 2017-18, 5th Test - Who Said What

Team Australia romped home with yet another thumping win in the Ashes 2017-18. They beat England by an innings and 123 runs in the final Test at the SCG to cap off the series 4-0. The magnificent win saw joyous scenes erupt out on the park. On the final day, the English team needed to bat out the entire three sessions to ensure a draw.

On the other hand, Australia were just 6 wicket away from a big win. Led firmly by Pat Cummins in the bowling department, the Aussies made short work of the English batting to wrap up the Test and seal yet another emphatic win. Needless to say, the players erupted in joy after the handsome 4-0 win in the coveted rivalry.

The players expressed their excitement on the win and thanked one another for the wonderful show they put up throughout the series. Here is how the players responded after the big emphatic win:

Usman Khawaja

Before the Marsh brothers put on their onslaught, it was Usman Khawaja who had set the base for a big first innings total in the match. He scored 171 to lead the charge against the English bowlers. Khawaja remarked that the Ashes 2017-18 win has been awesome. He hailed the team spirit for contributing in whichever way the players could.

Usman Khawaja said: Awesome. Ashes win 4-0. Great coming through. Close. The first game was in balance a little bit. All the first three games were in the balance, but we had someone putting their hand up. Really happy to contribute to the win. All of them shared the wickets, they had 20-odd wickets each. They bowled outstandingly. We did the basics well and we also have Steven Smith in the side. We bowled well, batted well and fielded well.

Mitch Marsh

All-rounder Mitch Marsh had a dream run in the Ashes 2017-18. In the third Test, he had scored a marathon ton. And in the final Test, his partnership with brother Shaun Marsh won the hearts of many. The Marsh brothers racked up tons and Mitch reflected back at it quoting it to be a great family moment. He called it to be a special feeling.

Mitch Marsh said: No (didn’t think I would be standing here). I would probably be out on a fishing trip at this time of the summer. Funny how things can change quickly. You do not sleep well in a Test match, especially when you are batting overnight. Just won the Ashes 4-0 and to contribute to the win is a special feeling. Hopefully they (the four bowlers) can stay on the park for a longer period of time. It was amazing. To be out there for Shaun, I was more nervous than him. It was a great day for our family.

Nathan Lyon

While the English spinners largely struggled throughout the tour, Australian frontline spinner Nathan Lyon was a top pick among the spinners in Ashes 2017-18. Lyon hailed Steve Smith for leading the team from the front. He looked excited to sing the team song in the dressing room. He enjoyed watching the quick bowlers wreaking havoc against the opposition.

Nathan Lyon said: Yes, it is a great feeling. Steve Smith led from the front. To be part of this bowling attack, it is a special feeling. We have all bases covered. We spoke about bowling in partnerships and it helped. Pretty good. Can’t wait to sing that (the team song). The batters got the runs on the board for us bowlers and then the three quicks bowling in tandem. The selectors got it right. Very happy moment.

Player of the Match – Pat Cummins

On the final day of the play, it was pace bowler Pat Cummins who led the romping of the English side. Cummins made a quick work of the England tail-enders. Earlier, he removed the set batsman Jonny Bairstow as well. Cummins was named the Player of the Match for his 8-wicket haul in the game. He remarked that playing in all five matches and winning in such fine fashion is like a dream. He just could not ask for anything more.

Pat Cummins said: Couldn’t have asked for much more. To get through the five (Tests) and win the series here at home, couldn’t have asked for much more. It’s been a lot of fun. We are all really close and have played a lot of cricket together. Especially, Gaz, what he has done in this series, we three could run in and attack; not thinking too much. It’s been great. Pretty much, everything I could have asked for. As a kid you grow up, and there’s a lot of hype around each game. Excellent to see how much it means to everyone. Loved every minute.

England vice-captain – James Anderson

English skipper Joe Root had to walk off the park on the final day with a score of unbeaten 58. He had some fitness concerns with his stomach and hence, walked off the field midway through the innings. He did not come out for the presentation either. English vice-captain James Anderson came on his behalf. He revealed that Root has been sleeping in the dressing room.

Anderson mentioned that the English side tried but the Aussies were a tad better on the occasion. He hailed the Australian bowling attack that fared up in the Ashes 2017-18. He noted that the batsmen did not put up enough runs on the board in a big series such as this and hence, that cost them the coveted Ashes.

Anderson quoted: He’s (Root) asleep. He has a gastro issue. He has not been too well throughout in the night. He is sleeping in the dressing room trying to recover. We have been outplayed in the key moments in each game. We were in the games to an extent, but couldn’t capitalize. Credit to Smith and team. They played fantastically well in the series.

He added: They have got a fantastic bowling attack and all the batsmen have come to the party when the team needed them. We haven’t scored enough in a series like this and we couldn’t create enough pressure. Lucky to have such great support, not just the Barmy Army, but a lot of English supporters. We are grateful for them even though we have been beaten in this series, we can hear them. That’s fantastic.

Player of the Series and Australia Captain – Steve Smith

If there was one man who proved to be the unstoppable force for the hosts in Ashes 2017-18, then it was their skipper Steve Smith. Smith was in Bradmanesque form in the series. He aggregated 687 runs in the series and was the leading run getter. He was adjudged as the Player of the Series for his efforts. Also, during the series, he notched up his career best numbers of 239 in Test cricket.

Commenting on the remarkable series, Steve Smith quoted that the last two months have been great. He hailed his side for having played in an outstanding manner. He noted that the victory has been a team effort. The English team was a strong outfit and despite this fact, the Aussies managed to dictate terms throughout the series.

Steve Smith remarked: It’s been a great couple of months. The cricket we have played has been outstanding. We were able to take 80 wickets in four Test matches and I saw all the bowlers have taken more than 20 wickets. We haven’t relied on one person. Scoring big in the first innings has helped out. The batters have stood up through difficult periods and just won those key moments which has been crucial in this series. England had their foot in the door in all matches. They have played some exceptional cricket and we were just able to get on top by winning the key moments.

Adding further on the same note, Steve Smith mentioned that the players very well knew their roles coming in to the Ashes 2017-18. He pointed out that it is not an easy task to take 20 wickets in the Australian conditions. But the bowlers lived up to the occasion and proved the stats wrong. On his own batting, Smith humbly admitted that he had worked very hard in the nets to get his act together.

Also, he feels confident about his captaincy now. He is happy that he is making the correct calls at the correct moments these days. He hopes to continue the same form in the times to come.

Smith added: Belief, playing here at home, knowing our roles and getting the job done. It’s nice to have these five Test matches without any injuries. So much work went in before the series. It’s tough here in Australia to get 20 wickets, but these guys did the job outstandingly well. The effort that they put has been amazing. I can’t thank them enough and I am proud of everyone. That’s part of batting, I love batting out in the middle and try to lead from the front. I worked really hard in the nets. I’m making good decisions consistently. I am really proud of the way I batted and have contributed from the front.

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