SCG Match Zone special: Records keep tumbling Down Under

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Updated: 19:22 EST, 6 January 2011

The century boys

England’s total of 644 was their highest in Australia, beating the 636 at Sydney in 1928-29, and their third-highest in any Ashes - behind 903 for seven at The Oval in 1938 and 658 for eight at Trent Bridge in the same series. For the first time in an innings, the sixth, seventh and eighth wickets added up to more than 100 - 144 (Cook and Bell), 107 (Bell and Prior) and 102 (Prior and Bresnan).

Running away with it

On England’s last visit here the old guard of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne helped restrict the tourists to a total of 2,530 runs, despite batting twice in every Test.

Going big: England have long past their overall tally from four years ago

This time, England have reached 2,864 having only taken to the crease seven times. That total exceeds the 2,706 of the triumphant 1986 side, but falls short of Australia’s 3,114 in eight innings in 2006/07.

Hussey meltdown

It’s been a tale of two halves for Mike Hussey. Immovable during the first three Tests, he compiled 517 runs in the first three Tests at an average of 103. But his second-innings dismissal here for 12, caught in the gully off Tim Bresnan, meant he has scored only 53 runs at Melbourne and Sydney at the less heady average of only 13.

Hughes laughing?

Phil Hughes talked up his chances of putting his miserable 2009 Ashes behind him when he replaced the injured Simon Katich for the third Test in Perth.

Out of touch: Phil Hughes once again failed to impress against England

But the Australian opener finished the series with 97 runs in six innings - and a tail-ender’s average of 16 — when he prodded Bresnan to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Prior's quite the catch

One of the many areas in which England have outplayed Australia in this series has been in the fielding, and Prior’s quartet of catches on the fourth day took his tally to 22. That compares with only eight for Australia’s keeper Brad Haddin - the same number as Andrew Strauss. Alec Stewart has long since held the record for the most catches in an Ashes series (23) a mark Prior was proud to have in his sights.

Saker signs on for more

David Saker will be England’s fast-bowling coach when Australia next visit in 2013 after signing a three-year extension to his current deal. The Victorian, who has been
credited with imbuing England’s seamers with vital local knowledge, said: ‘The depth
of bowling talent in the England ranks excites me and I’m looking forward to building on the progress we’ve made.’ Saker paid for his own flight to attend the original job interview at Lord’s.