So, England's winter of humiliation finally comes to end, mercifully two days earlier than scheduled.
Harris a hero
After missing the first Test at Trent Bridge last summer Harris, in the twilight of his career and with a history of knee problems, has played in nine successive Ashes Tests taking 46 wickets. And while a resurgent Mitchell Johnson has stolen many of the headlines with his aggressive pace, Harris has provided a perfect foil with his nagging line and length and ability to move the ball in the air and off the pitch. Harris epitomised an Australia team that has seen the same 11 players take the field for all five of this winter's matches. "We just wanted to make sure the pressure we built in Brisbane and Adelaide we kept on throughout the series and we got the result we wanted," he said. "The knee gets sore but I'll do anything for this team." Which seems to sum up the attitude of those in the Baggy Green.
Botham not amused
Sir Ian squared up to the 'old enemy' on more than one occasion - with memorable results - so it must be difficult for one of England's finest players to witness such a meltdown. Not only their technique, but their character has been placed under the microscope primarily by the Australian bowlers, and Botham was not impressed by the batsmen's capitulation over the past few weeks. "I'm pretty depressed and embarrassed - I use that word, embarrassed, and I mean it," he said. "I feel sorry for the fans because they haven't had any value. The juggernaut started up in Brisbane where they got bullied and they've been hammered throughout the series and it has been pretty weak, to be honest. I am not allowed to use the words that are flashing through my head at the moment. I just think it was spineless."
Flower - stay or go?
Coach Andy Flower admitted their should be some changes within the England structure, although decisions should not be rushed. Flower's conduct and professionalism are widely respected within the game and he and Cook have been given the backing of the ECB to lead the side forward. "I, as leader along with Alastair, we have to analyse the decisions we have made," he said. "A full and logical review in the near future might answer some of those questions." He added that the batsmen failed to deal with the pace of Mitchell Johnson, and that changes are likely to be made prior to the visit of Sri Lanka in the spring. "This does feel like the end of an era and a chance of some sort of renewal for the England cricket team. This wasn't good enough so there should be change of some description."
