So the Aussies have been given their biggest thrashing in a Test match for many a year - being annihilated by 320 runs in their Second Test at Mohali - a result that has put India 1-0 up. So are the Aussies finally in decline on the cricket pitch?

Australia have always struggled against India.

Australia have always struggled against India.

But losing by 320 runs is a defeat almost unheard of in recent times for the Aussies. And it certainly can't be easy for them after losing the likes of Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist.

And in the Third Test, India declared their first innings on 613 for 7.

There was rather an uplifting article in the Grauniad about this sort of thing. I'll try and dig up a link.

Edit to add: Here it is. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/oct/22/australiacricketteam-indiacricketteam)

And the Aussies have been thrashed again in the Fourth Test in India, this time losing by 172 runs. This means they've lost the series 2-0. When was the last time the Aussies got so comprehensively beaten in a Test series?

And the Aussies have been thrashed again in the Fourth Test in India, this time losing by 172 runs. This means they've lost the series 2-0. When was the last time the Aussies got so comprehensively beaten in a Test series?

Looking back, the last time that Australia lost a series by two Tests was away to the Windies in 1988/89, when they lost 3-1.

Looking back, the last time that Australia lost a series by two Tests was away to the Windies in 1988/89, when they lost 3-1.
Yes, a full 20 years ago. And now we've reached the end of an era. Still, its no guarantee that England will reclaim the Ashes next summer. But it should be more interesting.

Yes, a full 20 years ago. And now we've reached the end of an era. Still, its no guarantee that England will reclaim the Ashes next summer. But it should be more interesting.

Indeed. Beefy was very bullish about our chances on the radio last week. Being a Blade though, I'm an eternal pessimist!

Indeed. Beefy was very bullish about our chances on the radio last week. Being a Blade though, I'm an eternal pessimist!
And England's performance in today's one-dayer in India leaves quite a bit to be pessimistic about.

Yes, the Aussies losing the Ashes in 2005 also marked a watershed moment and then they went on to slump massively in form, not winning another match until... oh hang on...

...er... They got tonked by India. My view is that it was an anomalous result. The Indians are better than us, and they'd have wanted it more than the Aussies right now. And er... stuff like that.