The finest Aussies - ever

Former Australian captain Allan Border reviews a victorious Ashes series from the team he believes is the best his country has ever produced.

The convincing fashion in which this Australian team defeated England in the fifth and final Test match at the Oval was indicative of the form the world champions have shown throughout the series.

Motivated by their loss in the fourth Test, the boys were never going to let the home side sneak away with a respectable 3-2 result.

Even with the realisation that the Ashes trophy was well and truly out of reach, the home side made a determined effort to hold their ground.

This Australian squad is arguably the finest team the country has ever produced.

Allan Border

When a side is faced with the likes of player-of-the-series Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne to name just two, it is always going to be tough.

Arguably the best quick in the game, McGrath picked up the last duo of Jimmy Ormond and Phil Tufnell to finish with 5-43 and topped the bowling for the series with 32 wickets.

Warne was named man of the match for his 11 wickets on a good batting deck - the first time, surprisingly, he has taken 10 wickets or more in a Test outside Australia.

Warne and McGrath: Brothers in arms

For Australia, Justin Langer, the replacement for out-of-form Michael Slater, proved himself to be worthy of a spot in the side after a gutsy century alongside the brothers Waugh.

The do-or- die outcome for the English tailenders, although unsuccessful in lasting the distance, brought out some impressive strokes.

The ninth wicket partnership between Darren Gough and Ormond survived 19 overs and put on 58 runs, including some powerfully struck drives from the Yorkshireman who produced his best score since he made a half-century against Australia at Sydney in 1995, 49 Test matches ago.

It was an entertaining stand which kept the crowd enraptured and postponed the Australians' victory celebrations.

But after playing with defiance in his first Test, Ormond, who was growing in confidence, edged the ball behind to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.

You sometimes have to sit back and consider the sheer talent in this Australian squad. It is arguably the finest team the country has ever produced.

They are expected to win and nine times out of 10 they do.

Bowlers can bowl with confidence knowing that the slips will rarely drop a ball.

The finest Australians ever

The Australian slip cordon is exceptional and whether it is a McGrath-Lee pace attack or Warne ripping them off the seam, they have the confidence that edges will be taken.

I think the Aussie bowling on the final day at the Oval was superb, and probably the best they have bowled all series.

It was a remarkable series all round and England should also be commended on their performance.

Their fightback in the fourth Test alone will give them at least a minor boost in confidence for the forthcoming tour of India, despite their defeat at the Oval.

But it was a series well played and well and truly won by a deserving Australian team.

From the Oval
AB