Numbers don't lie: Australia have completely lost the plot

It was another crushing defeat for Australia in England, and the knives were out as soon as the final wicket fell on day four at Lord’s. After their 347-run win over the visitors, England lead the five-Test series 2-0, and many are expecting a whitewash .  Below are accumulated statistics after the second Test, which put into perspective how bad Australia have performed recently. - Between 1999 and 2008, Australia recorded just 18 losses in 116 Tests (81 wins). However, they’ve lost the same amount of matches in the last four years too — since 2009, Australia have lost 18 of 52 Tests. - Most Test losses in a row for Australia: seven (1885-1888), six (1984), six* (2013), five (1926-1929). [caption id=“attachment_975043” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Clarke has slammed Australia’s batting. Getty Images[/caption] - The last time Australia lost six Tests in a row was in 1984 (all vs WI). After the fifth loss, Kim Hughes left captaincy with tears in his eyes. - When Michael Clarke says that the Aussie batting has been ‘unacceptable’, he means it. 31% of their runs this Ashes series have come from last-wicket stands. That is 295 of 939 total runs. - Australia’s partnership average last six Tests — 1st wkt: 41.08, 2nd to 7th wkts: 20.62, 8th to 10th wkts: 28.77. - Australia’s last six Tests wicket average:  1st 41.08, 2nd 15.92, 3rd 18.92, 4th 30.17, 5th 28.58, 6th 20.08, 7th 10.08, 8th 25.25, 9th 20.50, 10th 41.64. - In a remarkable achievement, Australia had not lost a Test at Lord’s from 1934-2005 (won nine, draw nine). They have now lost their last two Lord’s Tests (in 2009 & 2013). How time can change… - Australians losing most Tests vs England since captaincy debut — 4: J Ryder (1928-29), 3: H Scott (1886), 3: P McDonnell (1888), 3*: M Clarke (2011-13). - In Tests in 2013, Australia’s 10th wicket has added 497 runs at an average partnership of 45, which is their best for any wicket. The next-best has been their 1st wicket stand, with an average of 38.