Demolition of more than Hussain's team

At times like these it is clearly more agreeable to look forward to the sunlit uplands than backwards on the slough of despond. To 2007, say, the designated year for England to have become the best Test side in the world.

In view of events in Brisbane and Adelaide (and, who knows, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney) it is perhaps wise that the England and Wales Cricket Board, whose stated objective it is, have not named the month. January, for example, may not be the best option, since another Ashes series will just be drawing to a close by then.

On the evidence so far this winter, the plan for global domination is as mad as the intentions of James Bond's latest adversary in Die Another Day (perhaps it is not spoiling the plot to suggest that 007 wins). The gap between England and Australia has palpably grown since the sides last met in 2001 – and then it was as big as at any time since the early 1920s.

Hysterical reactions to England's demolition are inevitable and huge fun. It will not be long before somebody advocates bringing them all home. Not that any of it is entirely useful. A comeback of stellar proportions may yet occur. Anybody assessing this series before it started had Australia down as winners by a big margin. We knew what was coming and this newspaper was not a lone voice in declaring: "England will probably lose and may even do so 5-0." For any other outcome, hope had to triumph over expectation. Unfortunately, it has not gone that smoothly.

England have failed to compete before. In the last cricketing generation but one they were constantly swept aside by the West Indies team (5-0, 5-0, 4-0 in succession). With all due respect to that great West Indies team, the trouble is that this may be different, and not only because Australia are probably a more complete unit. As Jim Laker, who knew a thing or two about Ashes campaigns, observed in his book, Over to Me: "The aim of English cricket is, in fact, mainly to beat Australia." That was 40 years ago, but things have not changed that much.

The effects of what is happening, apart from the Ashes going down the Murray River again, are still awaited, but they are likely to be both direct and indirect. The notion of year-long central contracts has suffered a decisive setback. Nine were awarded back in September when this squad were selected.

Nobody took much issue then, but two international matches since have done nothing for the reputation of Andrew Caddick, Alec Stewart or Matthew Hoggard. Or Mark Butcher, or even Nasser Hussain for that matter. Supporters of Caddick have particular reason to feel let down. He seems never properly to have recovered from a side strain in the summer. At the age of 34, this tour was always going to complete him or finish him – wholly different things – and it is not difficult to tell which way it is going.

England will shortly have the dilemma of whether to stick with their centrally contracted boys or twist. With two Tests against Zimbabwe early next summer, followed by five against South Africa, would the possibility of cheap runs and wickets be worth the candle?

Twisting would be an expensive option. The ECB have cash available from television rights but they are still searching for sponsors for the one-day league and the new 20-over competition, known as 20Twenty. These county contests might seem a galaxy away from the Ashes, but to the game's potential backers England's performance is inextricably linked to the health and perception of the game.

If nobody had enough to say about the nine central contracts, it was also pretty quiet on the Duncan Fletcher front. As England's coach, Fletcher has been Hussain's partner and ally for three years. Just before the team left for Australia he was awarded a year's extension to his contract, which was due to end at the end of next summer. It is usual to nominate Fletcher as the best coach England have had. Undoubtedly, England had advanced. The consensus was clearly that they were a better-rounded team than they had been. All his players speak of his technical prowess. Of the 11 series under Fletcher, England lost the first and won the next four. Since then they have won one and lost two series from six.

The thought occurs that coaches have a natural span with teams. England have had a rotten share of injuries but Fletcher was party to the selection of players who were recovering. Did he as coach and quasi-manager ensure that rehabilitation procedures were being followed correctly? Was he too ready to accept medical advice? Fletcher's coaching credentials may be beyond reproach, but it is safe to say that he has been thoroughly outsmarted by his Australian rival, John Buchanan. Maybe one day a look back at Fletcher's tenure will show that his greatest moments were in the sub-continent against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2001-01 – and then he had Graham Thorpe and Darren Gough.

But on to 2007. The next three months will give some idea of whether that will turn out to be some cloud-cuckoo-land. Nothing to do with the destination of the Ashes but with another England team announced last week and due to leave these shores on 31 December. The country's Under-19s are playing Australia in three junior Tests and five one-day internationals. It bears some resemblance to the senior squad: there are six Yorkshiremen.

By 2007, two or three of the squad will be playing for England. By 2007Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne will be gone. That gives England at least some cheer. But the first seven days of this series have given reason to recall the words of the former Australia captain Bill Woodfull. Criticising England's Bodyline policy 70 years ago, he said: "There are two teams out there, one is trying to play cricket, the other is not."

That still holds true: these days England are trying to play cricket, Australia are playing a different game altogether.

From bad to worse The tour of torment

10 September: England name 16-man Test squad. Graham Thorpe recalled after break following divorce. Darren Gough included but must prove fitness.

22 September: Thorpe makes "hardest decision of my cricket career" and informs selectors he wants to withdraw from tour.

28 September: Robert Key named as replacement for Thorpe.

16 October: On eve of departure, Andrew Flintoff admits recovery from double hernia operation is taking longer than expected – he is not yet able to run.

21 October: Michael Vaughan reveals knee injury will keep him out of first tour match.

23 October: England send Flintoff to Academy in Adelaide for intensive treatment.

24 October: Craig White called up as cover for Flintoff. Vaughan's knee injury keeps him out of two-day game against Western Australia.

29 October: England recall Flintoff as his fitness improves and pencil him in against Queensland.

1 November: Darren Gough ruled out of First Test, but confident of playing in Second.

4 November: England say Gough is to fly to Academy in Adelaide to continue rehabilitation. Nasser Hussain reveals fears that Gough will miss series. Alex Tudor called up, Steve Harmison suffering from shin splints.

7 November: First day of First Test. Simon Jones impresses but then ruptures cruciate knee ligaments in horrific fielding accident. Out for six months.

17 November: John Crawley retires hurt while batting against Australia A, after being hit on hip mistiming attempted pull.

19 November: Double injury blow two days before Second Test. Flintoff finally admits defeat in fitness fight and is ruled out of Second and Third Tests. Ashley Giles sidelined for six weeks with broken wrist after being struck by Harmison during net practice.

21 November: England lose third player in three days as Crawley fails fitness test on injured hip, and is also doubtful for Third Test. Vaughan tweaks right knee during warm-up but plays and scores 177 despite having injury strapped and suffering nasty blow on shoulder by wicked bouncer from Jason Gillespie.

22 November: Vaughan's shoulder prevents him from fielding during Australia's first innings. Andrew Caddick injures back in practice but able to bowl.

23 November: Caddick suffers back spasm and leaves field during Australia's first innings of 552 for 9 declared.