Richard Dawson, the former England and Yorkshire off-spinner writes exclusively for The Northern Echo.

THE ASHES might be gone but you've got to take your hat off to the Australians - they've played some fantastic cricket in the last month.

There has been a lot of criticism directed at Duncan Fletcher for the preparation of the team and the selection but the Australians have been magnificent.

Every time England have asked questions of them they have come up with the answers.

Who would have thought that Mike Hussey would get as many runs as he has in the series, never mind the first three Tests?

And Ricky Ponting has led from the front from the first ball he faced in Brisbane - the intensity in their play has been outstanding.

Even yesterday, when Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen were looking comfortable Shane Warne produced some more magic to turn the tide.

Freddie and KP had batted really well in the first hour and it was fantastic to see Freddie bat the way he can.

He's been short of runs throughout the series but he really broke the shackles and I hope that's the start of things to come all the way through to the World Cup.

We might have lost the Ashes already but there's still a lot to play for in the last two Tests.

There are thousands of people heading out to Melbourne and Sydney and the lads will be desperate to give them something to shout about.

And there are a few players in the team and squad who could be playing for their Test futures.

The pressure will now increase on the coach to leave out Geraint Jones.

Duncan has shown a lot of faith, too much for some people, in Geraint but I'm not sure Geraint's confidence could get much lower.

I've never seen anything like his dismissal for a duck in the second innings, which also confirmed a pair.

To be run out from silly mid-off is unbelievable and his confidence must be shot to pieces by now.

I really feel for him and it might be fair to him to leave him out now.

Other than that I don't see the need to make any other changes.

The batsmen did well in the second innings and they need to take that form to Melbourne and Sydney.