Quote Originally Posted by lord bunberry View Post
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That’s a hell of a theory and one I’d probably go along with if this was a test match with something riding on it. I know there’s no such thing as a dead rubber in an ashes series but surely this was Australia’s chance to counter bazball. They won the toss and bowled England out for under 300. If it wasn’t for the tail wagging they were looking at a deficit. Everything seems a bit upside down at the moment but I really thought the Aussies would’ve come out swinging given they’ve got nothing to lose.
I think that's the key though - they retain the Ashes no matter the outcome, but a draw means they have won a series in England (2-1) for the first time in 20 years.

Winning an away series in the Ashes (as opposed to just retaining the urn) is a huge deal in the Australian psyche.