Cricket: Australia v India: David Warner steals Day One show

David Warner holds his helmet high dedicated to Phil Hughes as he celebrates a century (photo: Getty Images)

A sunny and dry Adelaide greeted Australia and India, on what was a heartfelt but heavy day for cricket.  Tributes to Phil Hughes flowed pre-game, as Australian skipper Michael Clarke won the toss and confidently chose to bat.

His decision was ultimately justified by the powerful David Warner, who decided to put Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron to the boundary three times in his opening over.  His very first delivery was smashed with precision timing to the cover ropes.

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Phil Hughes; talented and now gone at 25

Phil Hughes (photo: Cricket Australia)

The cricket world is hurting this week.  I’m hurting. The news rocked us all.

The age of 25 is far too young; what hurts even more is the death was on a sporting field, with the sportsman doing something he loved.

Cricket: Rearguard action not enough to save average Australia

This Chris Rogers short edge shows Australia‘s situation in a picture (photo: Getty Images)

From ball one Pakistan played the Dubai conditions exactly right.  Many criticised the defensive mindset of the hosts top order batsmen, but it proved to be the ultimate victory as Australia was crushed by 221 runs.

While Mitchell Johnson’s stumping in the second innings – which left Australia reeling at 9/213 – was said to be lineball, there was very little the tourists could do under the onslaught.

Cricket: Australia v South Africa: Tables turned, Proteas humiliate green and gold tourists

South Africa celebrates a crushing victory (Photo: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

One could be forgiven for doing a double take at reading the scoreboard.  After such a resounding victory in Centurion, the Australian batsmen meekly surrendered to the tune of a huge 231 runs at St. George’s Park on day four of the second test.

Cricket: 1st test, Australia v South Africa: Johnson’s 12 wicket haul stuns already shocked Proteas

Mitchell Johnson celebrates his second five wicket haul (Getty Images)

Confidence was never in doubt in the Australian camp as they began the first test at Centurion February 12^th.  On the other side of the coin, South Africa held the mantle of the top-ranked test team.

Inside of four days of test cricket, one team stumbled but recovered in spectacular and dominating fashion.  The other, so enamoured by what they saw from the visitors, fell and did so with little grace.

Cricket: The Ashes: Emphasis on a whitewash

Steve Smith & Australia will look to continue their good form on Boxing Day (ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

The message has been simple, if not roundabout: Australia needs to keep the foot on the gas until the end of the Sydney test.

With the fourth Ashes test starting tomorrow at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), England faces – metaphorically – a do or die battle to regain some pride. 

Cricket: The Ashes: Perth Day 3: England disintegrate; Australia inch closer

David Warner celebrates a stunning 100 at Perth (ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

If there was ever a time to say “I’ll fight”, it was at the start of Day Three at Perth. England, starting the day 205 runs behind and six wickets in hand, had the biggest chance of the series to grab a small victory to force Australia to play a new hand.

Cricket: The Ashes: Adelaide Day 1: the upper hand lies with England, just

Michael Clarke, not out after Day 1 (source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

On a pitch that offered little to the bowlers and plenty to the batsmen, Australia won the toss, and to no surprise, elected to bat first on the first day of the Ashes test in Adelaide.

Cricket: The Ashes: First the mockery, then the sledging; now the ground?

Ashes Promo banner (source: BetPal)

I don’t want to be one for calling out names, or the media, but there comes a moment when you have to ask how far is too far – especially when it comes to the Spirit of Cricket.

England, in a sense, has been caught off guard with the powerful response from Australian fans after their victory in the 2013 UK Ashes tour.

Cricket: The Ashes: England mesmerised by shining Australian outfit

The Australians celebrate their first test victory (Source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

What was hyped as a dogged test match between two old enemies turned out to be the polar opposite; domination from Australia, and capitulation from England, on a terrific Gabba pitch.

Having come into the opening test with a batting line-up that had the critics wondering, Australia took the match by storm with an impressive 381 run win.