Ashes Diary / James Masters / 02 January 2011 /

England have been excellent so far but they need to show the same ruthlessness the Australian side of the early noughties would have shown and ensure they actually win the Series...

There's nothing quite like New Year's Day on the beach Down Under.

I had a big grin on my face, even after hearing of Orient's 5-0 thrashing at Brighton. A New Year it might be.....but some things don't ever change. Still, Coogee beach wasn't a bad place to be yesterday.

A cold beer in hand, the sun, sea and sand, not to mention an array of exceptionally hot eye candy to keep even the most bitter Aussie sweet.

Given the scale of defeat in Melbourne, there are a few locals trying to keep themselves to themselves while the English enjoy their time in the sun. With the Ashes safely retained, it's been a great few days to be a Pom in a country which traditionally delights in mocking our affliction.

Now, the boot is firmly on the other foot and with the opportunity to rub Australia's noses in it, this is one chance England cannot afford to forgo. To return home with a 2-2 draw would allow the Aussies to escape with credit they scarcely deserve and would tarnish England's heroic efforts.

Australian cricket is on a life-support machine. Now, England have the opportunity to turn off that switch and leave them in total meltdown.

Just like the Australian teams of old, England must show the same ruthless streak. There can be no mercy. The most successful sides in sport crush their opponents and leave them unable to recover. This is England's time. It's time to recover that pride and extinguish the pain and humiliation of the 5-0 whitewash. Only a series victory will do that.

That is certainly the view of both Strauss and coach Andy Flower, who throughout have voiced their determination to win outright all the way through.

"Every Test is a test for you as a side," said Strauss earlier today.

"This one in particular because the Ashes are coming home and it's easy to take your foot of the pedal.

"That's something I'm desperate to avoid. The guys have been excellent in practice but we need to transfer that to the pitch.

"It's a challenge for us and I'd very disappointed if we don't respond well to that challenge.

"We have made some achievements over the last couple of years, we've improved as a side in all forms of the game and we still have further to go.

"It's encouraging. You can take a lot of heart that we have been moving forward as a team and are a pretty settled side now and that bodes well for the future."

Victory in Sydney will give even more belief to a side which has achieved so much under the guidance of Strauss.

With just one century to his name in this series, Strauss will be the first to admit that his form with the bat has not been what he might have hoped for. But as a captain, he has helped create a side full of spirit, courage and the ability to win matches at the very highest level when the pressure is at its peak.

A win here could be the catalyst for yet more glory and Strauss is fully aware of that. With a World Cup around the corner and big Test match series against India and Sri Lanka, this could be one of the most exciting periods in English cricket.

An Australia side, wounded and on death's door stand in the way. It's time to put them out of their misery and silence their jibes. If not, then an opportunity would have escaped and no Australian will ever let you forget.

Bet on England to skittle Australia out for less than 300 in their first innings with Phil Hughes failing to get past 50. And have a punt on Strauss doing the business with the bat and ending the tour with a stylish century; you can back the England captain to reach three figures at [5.2].

It's been a great adventure....but it will be a dream one if England finish the job.

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