England still 'psychologically ascendant' side in Ashes despite tepid Old Trafford show

The Australian media has backed England as the better and the 'psychologically ascendant' team in the Ashes despite Australia performing creditably in the rain-drawn third Test and visibly lifting from a depressing show at Lord's.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, even though England looked out-of-form and jaded, with sloppy wicketkeeping and fielding and dull-witted captaincy as compared to a vibrant, young, new order Australian side at Old Trafford, whether Australia had the steel to finish off a live Ashes Test match still remains a mystery after the Monday washout.

Stating the three Tests have shown the difference in mentality between the two rival sides, the report said that England's reverse-swing and off-spinning experts, James Anderson and Graeme Swann respectively, dominated at Trent Bridge and Lord's, with Australia's top six batsmen, collectively and individually, failing to counter their skills.

On the other hand, the report said that the contest between Australia's bowlers and England's batsmen has turned into a draw, adding that even though there was nothing secretive about the English strategy, Australia was not good enough to meet it even though they expected and were prepared for it.

Stating that pitches have determined the manner of England's win and displayed their reverse swing and spinning strengths in the dry wickets in Nottingham and London, the report also said that England remain psychologically ascendant as despite having more than the possibility of a freakish win, Australia did not make it at Old Trafford.

Even though the report admitted that it is too early to conclude anything about which side has momentum heading into the Brisbane Test in late November, it however, mentioned that despite making progress, Australia still needs to win Test matches under pressure as compared to England winning the Ashes in just 14 days of cricket.

However, the report said that in the Ashes series in Australia, even though England may still be good enough to win, whatever the conditions, they would have to battle different pitches and challenging conditions in a different way than they have done at their home ground.