Tony Becca
After losing the Ashes last year for the first time in 16 years, Australia, standing by and watching England, all of England, celebrate as if they had won a world war, have won it back, and in style at that.
Last year, to the surprise of many, they lost a thrilling five-match contest 1-2. This time, however, and again to the surprise of many, after three of the five matches, it is 3-0, and the way things are going, it will be, or rather, it looks like it will be 5-0.
After opening up with a score of 602 for nine declared and winning the first Test by 277 runs, after dismissing England for 129 in 73 overs and stealing the second Test by six wickets after England had opened up with a 551 for six declared, and after winning the third Test by 206 runs after being dismissed for 244 on the first day, Australia are running hot and appear set to nail England for their first 5-0 defeat since the West Indies thrashed them in back-to-back series in 1984 and 1986.
The English appear set for their first whitewash since India won all three matches at home in 1992-93 and their first shutout in the Ashes series since they were crushed by 377 runs in Sydney, by an innings and 91 runs in Melbourne, by 119 runs in Adelaide, by eight wickets in Melbourne and by nine wickets in Sydney in the 1920-21 season.
Aussies are strong
Australia are too strong for England. Whatever England do - like in the second Test when they made 551 for six declared and lost, and in the third Test when they routed Australia for 244 and lost by 206 runs, Australia seem to be able to do better and the only way it appears England can get away from an embarrassing whitewash is if Australia have mercy on them.
And that does not seem possible - not with the mood that Australia are in, and not according to veteran pacer Glenn McGrath.
"I remember standing at The Oval last year watching England celebrate when they won the Ashes. I'm sure everyone else in Australia who met up with any England supporter since then have really copped it. No sir, we don't feel sorry for them at all. Order has been restored," said McGrath, in response to a question after Australia's victory in the third Test.
Awesome batting
Looking at the figures on both sides so far, Australia have been awesome. In the batting department, for example, Michael Hussey's average is 138.33, Michael Clarke's is 124.33 and captain Ricky Ponting's is 104. Against that, Kevin Pietersen of England is averaging 79.60, Paul Collingwood 69.00 and while Stuart Clark's bowling average is 18.43 after taking 16 wickets, and McGrath's is 25.69 after 13 - one behind Shane Warne on 14, England's Matthew Hoggard has an average of 33.66 after taking 12 wickets, and Andrew Flintoff's average is 49.71 after taking seven wickets.
On top of that, whereas England's batsmen have scratched together three centuries in three matches during which they have lost 59 wickets, Australia's batsmen have chalked up seven while losing only 39 wickets - and one of those, 102 off 59 deliveries, belongs to Adam Gilchrist batting at number seven in the third Test.
Australia were hopping mad after last year's defeat in England. At that time they vowed revenge, they went into this series on a mission and with an unassailable winning 3-0 lead after three matches, so far, so good.
So far the team, a lovely mixture of youth and experience, a mixture in which the young and the experienced have both performed, have been firing on all cylinders and after keeping it close to their chest, it is now no secret: Australia, based on the words of McGrath, also those of captain Ponting, and starting on Boxing Day in Melbourne and on the day after New Year's Day in Sydney, are going for the jugular and from the look of things, only God can help England.
