Aussies win...but did they share a beer?

Australia won the second test at Lord's and decided to drink alone. Photo / AP

The triumph of beergate has turned out to be the last chance saloon for some of England's humiliated cricketers.

The second test has turned out to be another bitter blow for cricket's new world order of bonhomie. This time, it is England who are getting it in the neck for not getting it down the neck with their opponents.

Australia were lampooned for snubbing England captain Alastair Cook's invitation to post-match drinks after the Aussies' surprise loss in the opening Ashes test at Cardiff.

Even that most lippy of Aussie supporters, the former 'keeper Ian Healy, got in on the act saying Michael Clarke had lost a vital opportunity to spy on the England dressing room.

A week is a long time in sport, with England plummeting to a disastrous 405 run defeat at Lords, a result the Daily Telegraph described as "sobering" and "enough to drive a skipper to drink".

Instead of enjoying a drop, English players now face being dropped. Batsmen Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance and veteran Ian Bell are the ones in most danger of being axed.

Cook also reneged on his promise to continue issuing the drinks invitations to Australia whatever the result of each test. As the Telegraph noted, he suddenly has more pressing things to worry about although Cook claimed: "They (Australia) made it quite clear that they only wanted a drink at the end of the series."

Yes Alastair, but there's no harm in asking. Clarke might have changed his mind under the circumstances.