Momentum. One word that can be used to describe the 2010 Ashes Series in a nutshell. After the first three tests, the series is currently locked at 1-1, but it is the manner in which we have arrived at this stage which is the most interesting.

Runs, Runs, Runs... It's been all about Mike Hussey for the Australians.

Take the first test at the Gabba and the second test at the Adelaide Oval for instance. England, rife with confidence and armed with sledges down to the ground, hit the ground running after the first days play in Brisbane. A Peter Siddle inspired skittling of the tourists had Australia firmly on top, with momentum seemingly going their way. Enter Alastair Cook and mix that with a dying pitch and you have a recipe for a momentum shift.

Cook proceeded to plunder an unbeaten 235, with supporting centuries from English captain Andrew Strauss, and the ever reliable Johnathon Trott. The balance of power had swung in England’s favour after demoralising Australia and punishing the poor bowling thrown up by the Australian attack.

In my opinion, this would have been one of the worst draws the Australian team has ever experienced. Not only did they have to field in warm temperatures for a good portion of the test, but they seemed unable to come up with any game plan or strategy to stop the English onslaught lead by Cook.

Moving on to the second test, with England’s confidence skyrocketing, Australia was dismal in their innings belting at the hands of the tourists. Lacklustre would be a nice way to put that performance. They were simply outplayed and lacked any spark with the ball, as evidenced by a double century from the ever chirpy Kevin Pietersen, and another century from that man Alastair Cook. Not bad for a player who was touted as the ‘weak link’ in England’s batting line up to have hit two centuries in two tests.

A traditional turning wicket played havoc on Australia’s batsmen, with Graeme Swann running riot in the second innings as expected when the pitch deteriorated. A convincing loss had Australia scratching their heads as to how to stop this runaway train that was the English side.

Onto the third test, which seemed to be the turning point for the whole series as the Australians ran riot on an England batting line up that looked like a shadow of the side that had turned out in the previous two tests. A traditional bouncy WACA wicket gave the Englishmen no chance in the end, used to the flatter pitches they receive back home, and a rampant, and recently reinstated, Mitchell Johnson tore through the English in their first innings, turning the game on its head. After that, there seemed to be no answer from the English, with Ryan Harris bagging a six wicket haul in the second innings demolition.

So now we come to the Boxing Day test, the pinnacle match in the five game series. This test is always touted by the Australian players as something special, with Cricket Australia expecting a world record crowd on the first day. The curator for the MCG has promised a greentop which will definitely aid the Australians in trying to take a 2-1 series lead heading into the final Sydney test, but which Australian side will turn up? The side who were bitterly disappointing in Adelaide, or the Australian side who came out all cylinders firing in Perth?

Inconsistency is plaguing the Australian side, with notable form slumps from many of the Australian players. Captain Ricky Ponting and vice captain Michael Clarke are two names that instantly come to mind when talking of a form slump, with Phil Hughes and Peter Siddle two more names that can be added to the list.

Hughes has just not looked up to the task of international cricket since re-entering the side after a Simon Katich injury, and bar his first day heroics of the Brisbane test match, Siddle has been poor and lacked that spark that we saw from Harris and Johnson in Perth.

Michael Clarke needs to take confidence from his last dig in Perth if he is to pull himself out of this form slump and save his future test-captaincy position. A knock of 20 from 18 balls included many encouraging signs from Clarke, with most of his runs being scored by boundaries. Often the best method to pull you out of a form slump is to attack, rather than do what Clarke has recently be doing by going into his shell and looking to defend and get set, looking hesitant in the process.

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Mike Simpson