Australia celebrate series win over England with ‘Ronball’ T-shirts
Moments after Scott Boland took Josh Tongue’s last wicket, Cummins gave Nathan Lyon a bear hug; He was acutely aware of the disappointment the injured player would feel at not being able to be part of the crowd on the pitch – even if he never showed it.
“Everybody there is pretty excited,” Cummins, who lost half a can of beer during a child’s impromptu cricket match on the field after the game, said at the news conference.
The difference between the winning and losing teams was stark when Alex Carey was named man of the match. McCullum stood near the boundary with a BBC microphone under his chin. A few yards away, a procession of England cricket writers marched towards him, laptops under arms and tough questions at the ready, after a spectacularly unfolding campaign.
Ben Stoked is interviewed after the defeat in Adelaide.Credit: Getty Images
Early on the fifth day, the Barmy Army gained momentum and repelled Bon Jovi’s attack. I Live with a Prayer.
“Ahhhhhh, we’re halfway there…”
They followed Elton John even when hope was fading. I’m Still Standing.
The Barmy Army is in action. Credit: Getty Images
Joe Root, who has taken more catches than any other player in Test cricket, jokingly examined Marnus Labuschagne’s palm as they shook hands after the game – perhaps to check the superglue, so good was the Australian’s catching throughout the series.
On the morning of the fifth day, following Cummins’ open invitation, cricketing royalty descended on the Australian dressing rooms.
Ricky Ponting, Mark Taylor, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and others arrived; They all appreciated England’s strong conduct.
Jake Weatherald and Steve Smith celebrate Australia’s Ashes win. Credit: Getty Images
Stokes was generous in his appreciation of Australia’s execution and ruthlessness. But when asked where this Australian team ranked among the great Ashes teams they have faced, their look said it all.
“They were better than us,” Stokes said.
The question has been rearranged. Stokes was in no mood to exaggerate the praise.
“They were better than us,” he repeated.
With two Tests remaining the damage was done. Australia will be without Cummins and Lyon in Melbourne and perhaps have a few days of training depending on how long the celebrations last, but it remains difficult to make a statement for a group that had to settle for 4-0 series wins in 2017-18 and 2021-22.
“We’re going to Melbourne absolutely desperate to win this. We’re going to Sydney as well,” Cummins said. “If we get 5-0 it would be amazing.”
As the afternoon progressed, Australia’s players and staff drifted towards the west side of the Adelaide Oval. Despite the short five-day break before the fourth Test, celebrations were inevitable.
Appointed social coordinator Head has once again delivered – still in his ‘Ronball’ shirt – producing jugs of ‘Headliner Spritz’; apple and watermelon gin cocktail.
Australian players and staff at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Credit: instagram
McDonald had a pink cocktail in hand but refrained from wearing a Ronball T-shirt. His style has always been understated.
At 17.58 local time, players and coaches returned to the field. Lyon got rid of his crutches, stood in a team circle, and gingerly shifted his weight to his right leg.
Carey, the singing master of the team, played True Blue On a portable speaker, an echo of John Williamson’s live performance on the first day after the Bondi terror attack.
Loading
Cummins and Labuschagne sprayed beer and cocktails on Head’s Ronball shirt, while the wicketkeeper kissed the pitch as a nod to Head’s celebration after making a century there two days earlier.
Then, after they had done what they said they would do, they all came together.
I stand under the Southern Cross,
I have a branch in my hand,
Native to the land of my birth,
Australia, you damn beauty.
