Ashes 2013: Australia may yet be inspired by abuse back home to compete against England On the averages, and Australia's recent Test record, England's superiority here is no great surprise. At Trent Bridge, Darren Lehmann's team overachieved, creeping to within 14 runs of a famous victory after needing 80 to win with nine wickets down. It was always hard to imagine them improving much on that performance. England, on the other hand, were bound to come on for the run. But nobody could have expected such a graphic illustration of Australian weaknesses, or for the series to expire so fast. The magical aura of a Lord's Ashes Test was certainly detectable when Australia flew in their legends to inspire by example. And the steady flow of politicians, musicians, actors and other celebrities into the Test Match Special commentary box was testament to the excitement generated in Nottingham. Both David Cameron and Ed Miliband paraded their love of cricket. Across the whole social scene it was clearly hip to be seen at Lord's. In England, after a year of prizes and bunting, sport is almost guaranteed to confer good days out. Few came to Lord's expecting a massacre. In most minds still were the long tussles of 2005 and 2009. Australia might not be much to look at but they had a new coach and a bit more bite. The long hot summer was unfolding nicely. England's first innings brought another century for Ian Bell but no suggestion of a mismatch, even if England had been 28 for three before amassing 361. On this batting pitch, Australia could expect a big score of their own. But then Watson fell to the last ball before lunch and wasted a review. Watson's selfishness in placing his own vain hope before the needs of his team seemed to detonate the Australian innings spiritually. Chris Rogers, Usman Khawaja, Michael Clarke and Steve Smith all went cheaply as they collapsed to 128 all out. There are days in Tests when teams are dismantled and destroyed before your eyes. It feels terminal, but seldom is. Over the long narrative of a series recoveries are possible, even likely. Yet not one of the great Australians working in the media here made a case for a revival. None said the batting would improve. Not a soul stepped up to argue that personnel changes could save this team. Nathan Lyon for Agar, who made no impact with the ball, is one obvious alteration. There is, though, no phalanx of talented replacements, unless one counts the recently discarded or retired: Simon Katich, Phil Jacques, Michael Hussey or even Ricky Ponting. England have not needed to be especially good to reach this dominant position. Good in places, but not great across the board. These Tests have allowed them to write Root's name on the Long Room board, to augment Bell's new status as a ­middle-order saviour and to bring their bowlers up to a higher grade of accuracy than they were able to reach in Nottingham. Australia, on the other hand, look bereft, not just now but for years to come. They are hounded by questions. Why has the talent production line broken down? Where is their Joe Root? Is Twenty20 destroying Australian technique? Are they the new West Indies? Acceptance, resignation, hangs over this side. Few expect that mood to lift much this side of back-to-back series. English complacency could restore the spark to this one. Australia's internal tensions could ease. The abuse they will 'cop" back home could yet tap into some deep well of pride and defiance and bring them snarling to Old Trafford. But there is no celestial hand that can reach down and make this side better than they really are. It cannot sprinkle extra ability on Clarke's team, who endured their second biggest defeat to England by margin of runs (347). England were not remotely pressurised in this Test, which is a shame for them too. They need a competitive series to help them develop. The year that keeps on giving has decided to be less liberal with its gifts. One-sidedness has replaced gnawing tension. Only England's margin of victory in this series appears in doubt. At least now we know we can always call the Germans in and call it Der Ashes.