THE ASHES CAME HOME

Wow...! What a day to be a cricket nut. England forced a draw in the 5th test at The Oval to win the 5-match test series against the Aussies 2-1. That is the simple fact - but the truth of the matter goes way beyond the boundary of my skills of explanation.

Congratulations to Michael Vaughan (captain and fellow Sheffielder) and the whole England cricket team. Not only did they compete with the Aussies but they won. I read a great quote from an Aussie fan essentially saying that as a country they are young, don't have much history and the only people they have to hate are those who sent them over in the 1st place. This England team earned both respect and visible affection from the Aussies. And that takes some doing...

England lost the first match by some distance. The subsequent 4 matches were inceredibly tense and exciting - the most exciting series of 4 matches there have ever been. It has been a wonderful if stressful summer. And my productivity during this time has been very very poor...

Thank God it's over. Normal service can be resumed...