third test, day five

0534: That's your lot, and England have surrendered the Ashes just a year and 96 days after regaining them. Duncan Fletcher has got much right in his time as England coach, but he's got just about everything wrong on this tour. Wrong captain, wrong wicketkeeper, wrong spinner, wrong preparation.

This Australian team is very, very good, but England should have pushed them an awful lot closer than they have. There are cracks there and many games have had a number of close sessions, but Australia have always won the key ones.

0438: Has any cricketer ever had a more embarrassing final moment as a Test cricketer than Geraint Jones?

If he ever, ever, ever wears the Three Lions again I'll be amazed, because he's lost it mentally.

Duncan Fletcher says Chris Read doesn't handle pressure as well as Jones. I beg to differ.

The most frustrating thing is Flintoff and Pietersen were just getting the Aussies a bit flustered before four wickets for 10 runs ensured the expected Australian victory will come to pass.

Flintoff deserves some praise for biffing his way back into form, but since his downfall England, and Jones in particular, have been thoroughly embarrassing.

Still, Panesar's first Test century could yet delight and amaze in equal measure. Dave Tickner