So England have retained The Ashes! Go England! It has been a long time coming. The last time we won the Ashes in Australia I was at Agricultural college. The year was 1987. Since then Australia have dominated the series. I think that is a bit of an understatement actually. What we have witnessed is the end of a long era of Australian dominance. No longer do they have the bowling services of a Glen McGrath or Shane Warne or the batting skills of Taylor, A Waugh (both brothers) and Gilchrist.

I listened all night on Sunday. I think that was one of the most engrossing days play since the final day at the Oval 2005. That Summer produced more engrossing days than I can remeber inside the previous decade. It was a fair days play. The Aussies were on the way to playing themselves back into the game but then some decisions didn't go their way and they lost the plot. Marvellous! No better sight than an Aussie spitting feathers at the unfairness of the world.

Unfortunatley the way this test series has gone it means the Aussies will win at Sydney and the series will end 2-2 which really wouldn't reflect the way the Aussies have been second best with the exception of Perth.

What next for the Aussies? They need to go for youth again, to try and find the youngsters with that extra edge that cdan be nurtered into real talent. I think this will only be a temporay glitch in the Australian works. The hate losing about as much as they enjoy warm beer. They will be back.

The difference this time compared to last time for England was that they got the ball to swing.

Oh happy day!