Victory is Ours!

Now here are three reasons why...

1) We played Test Cricket as it's meant to be played.

Discipline is the name of the game and England have been the epitome of the word. Bar the minor blip in Adelaide, the top order have been impeccable in their judgement and the contributions of Cook and Trott were vital in setting the platform for the victories thus far. The phrase 'if you leave the ball well, you'll bat well' has never rung more true and the likes of Watson, Hughes, Clarke should take note. Time after time, loose drives and an inability to leave the ball properly has seen Australian innings crumble and England gain the upper hand.

But it hasn't just been the batting.

Throughout the series the bowling attack have hit their lengths consistently, stuck to the meticulous plans set out by Strauss and Flower and remained un-moved from the sort of nagging lines that an opposition wakes up in cold sweats to. In stark contrast Australia have sprayed it; there is no other way around it. Johnson, despite bowling a magnificent spell in the Aussies convincing win, has been all over the place and looks like a cricketer on the verge of a breakdown. Hilfenhaus has been uncharacteristically loose and, through no fault of his own, Pointing has been unable to build any sort of pressure on any of the England batsman.

2) Catches win matches.

Without taking them you aren't taking 20 wickets. England were brilliant in the field and Australia were far from it. It was mentioned before the series started that Strauss and his slip cordon were far superior to their opposition and they didn't disappoint. The captain, Swann and Collingwood were excellent off both seam and spin, whilst Pietersen had an impressive series at Gully. Obviously Collingwoods catch off Pointing is the pick of the bunch and will live long in the memory but it was the way in which the cordon snaffled the regulation chances that was important.

3) Englands replacements have been outstanding

Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan: take a bow. Both made Ashes debuts and both were exceptional. Tremlett, picked after an outstanding year on the Domestic scene, was faultless in the loss in Adelaide (picking up 8 wickets) and continued his form in Melbourne. He caused all manner of problems for the Aussies and out-bowled the man he replaced, Stuart Broad. Bresnan was equally brilliant in Melbourne and answered all his critics (including myself). Evidently more than just a 'county trundler', the Yorkshireman bowled beautifully in both Australias' innings and got just reward for his un-erring accuracy. What was so pleasing was that England weren't affected by the loss of Broad or the fatigue of Finn. We were actually strengthened by the changes and the use of fresh seamers in Australian conditions was a blessing.