LIFE is pretty rosy for the England cricket team – two up with three to play, only the weather can save Australia now.
From start (almost) to finish at Lord's, the hosts were simply superb, displaying their superiority with bat and ball.
England may have thought their first innings 361 was a little below par, but the following 128 put that into perspective and the Aussies on the back foot.
It also highlighted the importance of Ian Bell's hundred – his second of the series and his third in consecutive Ashes matches.
Often criticised for his lack of 'worth' runs, the Warwickshire man has really stepped up to the plate and done the business.
A mix of good bowling and poor batting left Australia reeling, before Joe Root showed his class with a magnificent innings.
With England already in the driving seat, opener Root (180) ground the tourists down and laid the foundations for a landslide victory.
Where to go now for Australia?
Issues surrounding the touring party have been well publicised, but accusations of them being the worst Aussie team are far from the mark.
In James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris, captain Michael Clarke is able to call upon an attack that boasts genuine Test quality.
As for the batting, the talent is there, but the Aussie selectors must remain patient and loyal.
Saying that, David Warner would now be a wise selection – he is a player that can take a game away from any side, as he proved against South Africa in Adelaide earlier this year.
England may go on to register a four or five-nil series win but, in the remaining three matches, Australia have the chance to build for the Ashes return later this year.
Indeed, that will be a greater marker of where both teams stand.
