It was so lovely heading into the Christmas break knowing that the Ashes were well and truly back on Australian soil, with two tests to go.  The wish for a whitewash was one that many Australians had asked for Christmas and we were ready to set ourselves for it…

The English squad had been been named; not even some of their finest journos were confident…

English fans were looking for any positive they could find…

Talk turned to Kevin Pietersen and how he should save the country’s fortunes:

… and then the inevitable happened for Australia…

The English batting was leaving a lot to be desired for fans…

… discussion turned to a replacement for Graeme Swann given his sudden departure…

… and everyone, least of all Ian Chappell, was thrilled to have Bill Lawry back in the commentary box…

The replays and “remember when’s” were getting monotonous.. and then a break-through!

Kevin Pietersen was trying his hardest, but those damn flies… those pesky flies…

Day Two commenced and the most anticipated action was out the back in the nets, with Piers Morgan facing up to Brett Lee…

The crowd were bored and the ever entertaining Bay 13 started up their infamous chanting…

We moved onto Day Three, where there was *some* hope that an English revival *may* have been on the cards; until…

But it was okay.  England managed to finally get the Aussies out and were back to the crease – WITH A FIRST INNINGS LEAD!  Their captain started the Poms off in fine form…

The Australians were trying a few novel things – Shane Watson getting through a bowling spell was one…

And then… it happened…

It was even getting comical…

The exchange of words between Johnson and Pietersen was a highlight for some…

… whilst the rest of the team collapsed…

As England woke up, the news slowly started filtering through the interwebs…

… to a point where some were more trusting of the Black Caps than their own squad…

Day Four was always going to signal the end of proceedings… and yet another performance went into the record books…

… leaving some to lament what could have been; and others, what never was…

What a difference a home tour, a handful of months, a new coach and a diet of eating whatever the hell you want makes.

The whitewash is still on! Sydney, here we come!!

** Here’s wishing all readers a very Happy and safe New Year. Hope to see you all back in 2014**