Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, learn ‘killer instinct’ from the Aussies

There are lessons to be learnt from the way Aussies compete in the sporting arena. It’s all about being consummate professionals, putting team above self and delivering. On Sunday in Adelaide, it was all about nip and tuck to leave England bleeding as they lost the Ashes 0-3. Imagine, cleaning up a high profile five-Test series in 11 days and still not screaming. This is the Aussie spirit, finish the job and then be ready to go full tilt. As Adam Gilchrist said in a short interview, Baggy Green will go for a 5-0 result.

As far as cricketing rivalries go in Test cricket, the Ashes is the mother and father of all battles. With Test cricket between India and Pakistan a thing of the past, the rivalry between Australia and England is massive. And yet, as the Aussies showed professionalism and commitment, the way England’s Bazball bull-crap again flopped makes them laughing stock.

To say that England just did not try at all would be unfair to Ben Stokes. He is a captain who puts in effort. Sadly, his teammates did not live up to expectations and support the leader. It was a flop show all the way, and whatever happened in the English dressing room as motivational talk, they were rendered spineless.

Brendon McCullum will be the butt of ridicule for sure, but the flavour really is the Aussies and how they showed no mercy. What was unique in this demonstration from the Aussies, they did not shout from rooftops. It was quite clear they wanted to do it quietly. The best part which stands out in three Tests, with two more to go, Australia have leaders who are selfless and supported by players who swear by patriotism. Pat Cummins has been more a part-timer in this series, but when it mattered, he delivered in the third Test. He had Mitch Starc and Nathan Lyon for company as tormentors.

Before Cummins came on for the third Test, leadership was all about how Steve Smith would lead. Imagine, Smith knew he was only doing a stand-in job but to come out with that Aussie grit and ensure his mates were right on top, it was effective and effervescent. Cummins has hinted he may not strain himself for the fourth Test, which will be the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Smith will always be there to lead, though it was sad he missed the third Test.

As far as England go, the decline began long back. When they came to India in 2024, they were whacked black and blue. Bazball had been a failure and a Bazball 2.0 version had been floated. That, too, did not work. Even at home against India this summer, England were unable to show their might against India in a hyped series. So, the rot began long ago.

On the other hand, Australia are smart and ruthless. They know, playing Test cricket is all about pride and putting the team’s priority ranks first. Compare it with the kind of hype around a team like India, even when they are losing, there is a lot to learn from Australia. There is no star culture, there are no ‘I, Me, Myself’ guys in the team.

If team work needs a definition, look at the Aussies. They have been clinically ruthless, leaving nothing to chance. What is even more scary, they will be even more hungry in the remaining two Tests as well. It defines killer instinct! Let’s wish them in advance, Merry Christmas.