Birmingham: Former Australian all-rounder and Channel Nine presenter Simon O’Donnell used to say on air, “Never say die” whenever describing the approach that the Australian teams took to any matches they were part of. For a long time, the phrase did the rounds so much every cricket fan believed that it described the Australian team perfectly. With the set of great players the Aussies had in the 90’s and in the 2000’s, it was impossible to discount them at any point in a cricket match till the fat lady had sung.

Australia players look dejected after the losing third Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham yesterday. PIC/Getty Images