Is that how much difference the absence of Andrew Flintoff can make?

102 and 82-5, how pathetic!

And here I was thinking that the Ashes were going England's way.

What happened?

I see that Stuart Clark returned and did what Jason Gillespie said he would. I think Gillespie was the only one calling for Clark's return with almost everyone saying that his career was over.

Gillespie was right.

Siddle did get 5 wickets but I think it was Clark who got the key wickets and crushed England in the 1st innings.

And in the 2nd, it was the return to form of Mitchell Johnson!

About time!

This was supposed to be his Ashes. Actually I had thought he was going to have the English for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but we all know how the series has gone for him so far.

The 2nd day of this 4th test, however, changed all that.

I haven't seen the game so I have no idea how the English have lost wickets but it seems like a very bad performance, especially since Australia scored over 400 at over 4 an over.

And Broad took 6 wickets!!? I couldn't believe that.

I am not too sure.

Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, and Ben Hilfenhaus did a top job in South Africa earlier this year.

Lee is coming back from injury as is Stuart Clark. Before they went away, they were the leaders of the attack, with Johnson their aide.

Since then Johnson has surely risen through the ranks and is now undoubtedly Australia's best fast bowler.

So when Lee returns, does he automatically get his place as the leader of the attack back?

His form has hardly been the kind to suggest that.

He suffered in the World T20. He didn't exactly set the IPL on fire. Nor was he a threat to Pakistan in the one-off T20 in Dubai.

So then, is Lee a sure shot for the XI that Australia will field when the Ashes kick off?

The Aussies are playing Sussex right now. As I write, the figures of the pacers are as follows.

Lee 5-0-22-0

Hilfenhaus 5-2-10-1

Siddle 6-0-18-2

Clark 6-3-10-0

Early days yet, but based on this which one will you leave out?

England successfully chased 294 against Kiwis.

Australia successfully defended 286 against the Windies.

I was wrong.

But I was right about this - The 2009 Ashes are going to be very competitive!

And I was also right about England, Ross Taylor, Tim Ambrose, and Monty Panesar in Sportsfreak's tipping competition for bloggers.

As a result of which the Orange Cap remains with me for this week as well.

Thank you again Sportsfreak.

Thank you Daniel.

Thank you Andrew.

Thank you Ross.

Thank you Monty.

& Thank you fellow bloggers.

Strauss took the game away from the Kiwis, while the Windies blew their only chance of beating Australia at home.

I really doubt the Aussies will give the hosts another sniff.

It has been quite a come back for Andrew Strauss. His last few tests innings over 2 tests, all against the Kiwis at home and away, have produced 50+ scores. That includes 2 match winning centuries.

Vettori, for some odd reason, couldn't repeat his 1st innings heroics and allowed England to reach the score for the loss of only 4 wickets.

Sportsfreak tells me that Vettori isn't as effective in the 4th innings of matches. Thats quite surprising for a spinner.

The Windies batting line up folded in front of Stuart Clark and Co.

Those Glenn McGrath video tapes that Clark has been studying have proved to be quite helpful. A 5-for in the 2nd innings and 8 in the match for a man of the match performance.

He looks like a duck running up to bowl - I have no idea how he picks up all these wickets.

The Aussies will run away to a 3-0 victory now. They usually give the opposition a chance once in an entire series. If you miss that you can be sure of a handful mauling.

With Hayden and Clarke returning, its going to be tough for the Windies.

For the sake of my Orange Cap, I hope the Kiwis can turn the tables as I have predicted a 1-1 result for the series in the overall tipping competition.

Till then, I will march around cricket blogs wearing my Orange Cap.