ENGLAND WON ASHES,AUSTRALIA LOST TEST NO 1 RANK

ENGLAND WON ASHES,AUSTRALIA LOST TEST NO 1 RANK

It is a great disaster for Ponting & Co. Australia were knocked off the top of the ICC test rankings for the first time since 2003 after losing the Ashes series to England by 2-1, enabling South Africa to take over the number one spot. The mighty aussies now bestows the fourth place behind South Africa, Sri Lanka and India. After the thrilling win in Ashes, England are just behind the Aussies. India moved to third spot on the new ICC Test rankings.

The real credit ashould be given to Monty Panesar and James Anderson for saving the Cardiff Test.Thanks to their brilliant last wicket partnership which saved England from a much expected defeat.

Stuart Broad is selected as Man of the Match for his splendid blowling performance(37/5) that restricted Aussies first innings total to mere 160 runs. Graeme Swann, all rounder scored 63 runs from 55 balls in second innings and took 4 wickets each in both innings. The substitute of Ravi Bopara, debutant Jonathan Trott scored a crucial century(119) which helped England to achieve the mammoth total. Any way, by winning the crucial test by 97 runs, flintoff got a well deserved farewell for his last test.

Man of the Series: Michael Clarke, Andrew Strauss

Next Ashes series is in Australia in 2010-11.