The Ashes 2006/7 Second Test Day 5

England lost the unlosable match and with it - one senses - The Ashes. To declare an innings for the 6th wicket with 550 runs on the board and to end up on the losing side will have knocked the stuffing out of the English side and it showed on their faces in the last hour of play.

As the end drew near, Flintoff - despite being the sole meaningful threat with the ball - wore a face like a half eaten deep fried Portabello mushroom. His frown was so deep that it will leave scars on his head that will last well into the Perth Test.

Paul Collingwood and Matthew Hoggard each put in outstanding performances with bat and ball respectively in this Test and yet will go to bed tonight in the knowledge that it was all for nothing.

Mike Hussey saw the Australians home with his trademark ants-in-pants style at crease. He batted with exemplary calm and class despite his exuberant approach to the game.

Australia did what England failed to do on the last day. They played with positive intent, took risks, and backed the strength of 11 players to notch up the required runs. England by stark contrast retreated into a shell so unstable it wouldn’t have kept a tortoise dry in the rain.

It was runs -not time- that did for England in the end. Whether a tactic to go all out defense, or simply an inability to score runs, the meager total that Australia had to chase was never really in doubt. Even as England picked up early wickets, their body language suggested it was all for a losing cause.

Giles looked as nervous as a hooker in Harlem without her pimp bodyguard, frightened that one false move would end his career. His fears may well be grounded in reality come the selection policy for The WACA.

England now have a mountain to climb of enormous proportions and even after having raised their game from the Gabba, they still look like a team lacking the firepower and consistency to prevent a handover of the Urn to Australia.