London: Ashes 2015 has been a long, strange trip. The urn was decided only after the fourth Test, at Trent Bridge, but it needed just 12+ days of cricketing action. It seemed as if that Australia and England made a pact with themselves that there would be no Test when both sides brought their A-game.


Australia's Michael Clarke, left, and Steven Smith leave the field as they break for tea on the first day of the fifth Ashes Test match between England and Australia, at the Oval cricket ground in London. Pic/PTI, AP 

When England played well in Cardiff, Australia couldn't wait to collapse to defeat. When Australia bossed at Lord's, England were happy to roll over. And the two Tests that followed, Australia barely even registered as a participant.