So this morning after just 3 hours sleep, (more birthday celebrations last night) I boarded a train to Vauxhall along with all the other thousands of fans. There was an air or confidence tinged with nervous excitement. We should win it today, but those Aussies, well  you never can tell! Arriving at the ground I actually just stood outside for a while and took in the atmosphere. I had to watch the 2005 series at my parents on channel 4 and I wanted to remember every second of today.

My seat was great, just to the left of the pavillion as you look at it and about 8 rows back. An awesome view and just a few seats away from about 100 very subdued Aussies! I think I only missed one over all day while I queued for the ladies toilets! But I didn’t mind because a queue for the ladies reflected another highlight of the day for me. I have never seen so many women at a test match. It was brilliant to see and long may it continue.

The first two wickets were the perfect start to the day, and just what the crowd needed to settle the nerves. Then came a long period of watching the runs required figure slowly decrease and the commentators start to talk about who has the initiative and which way the pendulum was swinging. And then came Freddie. You just knew that something would happen today.  The run out was unbelievable. We had to keep watching the replays to take in what we had seen. He didn’t even seem to aim and was celebrating before the ball hit the stumps. Quite incredible. After that the mood changed, optimism was back in the air and the crowd willed the players on to finish them off today. We had tickets today and we wanted to see Andrew Strauss raise that little urn and say “aaah look!”

It was just a matter of time. The sun was beating down ferociously but no-one dared leave their seat for fear of missing another momentous moment. No drinks, no toilet breaks and no shade. The burning sun was nothing compared the heat the Aussies were feeling and we wanted to be there for every ball.

When Stuart Clark went for a duck the party started, the final wicket was irrelevant by then. Yes we needed to take it but we knew it would come, we knew we would see the Ashes back in to English hands and it was just a matter of time.

I couldn’t even tell you how the last wicket fell. I just saw Andrew Strauss running around with both fists pumped looking for someone to hug! It was amazing and I will never forget it. A fantastic effort from everyone involved and I hope right now they are celebrating hard!  

There is one sad note. Andrew Strauss never mentioned Ravi Bopara. He said thanks to the 11 who played today, he mentioned KP, Monty Panesar and Graham Onions. He and all the other players paid tribute to the 14 that played in the series. 11 today, +Onions +Panesar+Pietersen = 14. How come he and the rest of the team have forgotten someone who played in 4 tests. Panesar only played in one, albeit with a  massive, perhaps “series winning” batting performance. It was right then that Panesar recieved his medal today. It was not right that in all the celebrations and back patting they forget one of their own. I hope they have all been in touch with Ravi tonight. 

Roll on December 2010!

P.S.Before Setanta fell off the air I had a bet with my co-presenter Matt Teale that England would win 2-1. He’s away this week-end but don’t worry I’ll make sure he pays up!

Rachel

For the last three tests Broad has faced huge criticism and calls for him to be dropped. I have supported him all the was through the series because I believe we need to try to keep more faith with our players and let them experience bad times so they know what it feels like and never want to experience it again. They need to feel the Aussies breathing down their necks, hear them slating their technique, and see them staring them out at the end of their follow through daring them to try and hit a boundary. Only then will they know the passion and aggression needed to win series’  like this. There is naturally a lot of talk now about him being th natural successor to Flintoff, a genuine all rounder and him being our best bet for No 7. There is a difference that really needs to be taken in to account though, Stuart Broad is 6 foot 7″ tall. Bowling full pelt when you are that tall takes a tremendous toll on the body and he is going to need a lot of care if he is to fill Freddie’s shoes. I think he has the talent, I just hope the body is willing.

Once the Aussies were all out for 160 everyone was saying “It’s a done deal, the Ashes are coming home”. Some pundits even got in amongst the crowd and started the celebrations, while there were news reports of “Stuart Broad has single-handedly won the Ashes”……There is still alot of cricket to play. They are stubborn cricketers these Aussies, and if anyone thinks they have given up the fight they are very much mistaken. We have seen them bat and bat and bat in order to save matches and they know once they get back in, that is their challenge. Andrew Strauss’ challenge is to know when to declare…if we get that luxury! What is a big enough total to defend? A lead of 350 -380 should be enough on this pitch, so they need just another 120 -150 runs runs tomorrow. But will Strauss stop there or will he err on the side of caution? The weather forecast for monday is poor so England really need to write Monday off to be safe. Therefore they realistically want to get Australia in sometime tomorrow afternoon. An hour after lunch should be a good time if the weather stays good. That will give them almost 4 and half sessions to bowl them out which should be plenty. Plus if they do manage to wrap things on Sunday they boys will be able to go out and celebrate, (if they finish on monday they have to go straight to Belfast) and we know how much celebrating there is to be done after an Ashes win!! Not that that is an incentive, obviously!

Rachel

On the positive side Jonathon Trott gave a good account of himself. He didn’t look like a rabbit in the headlights and didn’t seem to let the Aussies get to him. It’s just a shame this is such a crucial match to win and he has so much pressure on him. That said, Ian Bell thrived at No3 and looked more at home than he had at 5. That’s about it for the positives though…. except that the pitch seems to be turning a bit already and Hauritz was left out. Am I clutching at straws now?

I don’t want to sound too negative but I don’t think I am alone in wishing England could have put on a decent total for the loss of just one or two wickets here on day one. It would have set the tone and given the boys some much needed confidence. I don’t see the Aussies losing 5 wickets in a day let alone any more than that tomorrow. I read Graeme Swann’s column this morning and he was full of excitement and confidence and said the 10 days since Headingley had been an incredibly long wait. I agree. Did we really need the week in between? Surely the fourth and final tests should be back to back? The team have had way too long to sit and think about Headingley – and way too long to talk about the Oval and the crucial “must win” or “one off test match”  and way too long to mull over selections. They should have been back  out there, pumped up and ready to seek revenge.

Its a short one today, the scorecard tell the story – let’s hope tomorrow there are plenty of Aussie wickets to talk about, a disintegrating pitch (thanks to Mitchell Johnson’s follow through) and England on the front foot for a change!

Rachel

Freddie is back, as predicted, and there is no doubt his presence in the dressing room alone will pick up the team, and his presence on the field will strike a bit of fear into the Aussies. As for the rest of the team, well i don’t agree with Mark Waugh who says “they’ve gone”, or that “they are rubbish.” What I do want to see though is certain players shoulder more responsibility than they have done. I wrote in a previous blog that Bell and Collingwood should move up the order, and I think Colly in particular needs to put in a good performance at the Oval. We are still waiting for that hero, still waiting for one man to carry the rest of the team but there is no-one there to pick up that mantle. Freddie will practically be bowling on one leg so please don’t tell me our Ashes hopes rest on his shoulders? So who will stand up and be counted and why are we still trying to win matches with a hero? The Aussies have 7 centuries in this series (Marcus North at Headingley and Cardiff, Michael Clarke at Edgbaston and Lords, Katich Ponting and Haddin in Cardiff ) , to England’s 1 (Andrew Strauss at Lords). They don’t rely on a hero. They don’t single out individuals for criticism either. Look at Mitchell Johnson. Oh how we laughed when he struggled to find the pitch, let alone the stumps. The Aussies kept faith, waited patiently and then Mitch was back. Who’s laughing now?

So to the Oval then. The Test pitch hasn’t been played on since England beat South Africa there by six wickets last August. There is talk of spin on days 4 and 5 but before that there will be bounce for Freddie and Harmy. But the most frightening thing about the pitch is the fact that runs will be scored. The batsmen will get full value for their strokes but do we have the batsmen to make those strokes? All the talk has been about taking 20 wickets and while that is true, we still need to have a target to defend. I just can’t think where those runs are going to come from?

One final comment for today. Did you read Shane Warne’s comments in his column on Monday? He had a six point plan for cricket which is worth a read. His first point was to fast-track umpires and raise their wages as he considers the standard of umpiring at present to be as low as he has known it for 20 years. His second point was to end one-day internationals. A nice idea but I can’t see the old guard at the ECB agreeing to it because that means they would have to accept Twenty20 as the game of the future - and let’s face it they are fighting that with every sinew in their bodies right now! Point three was to introduce a World Test Championship – two divisions with relegation and promotion. His fourth point was one I don’t agree with. He wants a ban on switch hitting. He says it gives the batsmen an unfair advantage and he predicts a day when a batsman takes guard left-handed, the bowler sets the field and the batsman switches to become a right hander. He says the leg before rule must be tweaked so that a batsman changing his stance has a second off stump. What do you think? Bowlers are coming up with new deliveries and new techniques, why shouldn’t a batsman create new shots?  Is it unfair on the bowlers? Does a batsman ever try and switch hit a good line and length ball from Brett Lee? Did Warne ever see his googly hit for 6 by a switch hit shot?

Point 5 was for there to be no rolling or sweeping of the pitch once the game has started – in order to aid bowlers, particularly spinners funnily enough!

Finally, he wants a window in the World cricket calendar for the IPL and I couldn’t agree more. However, I think the tournament should be scaled back to three weeks and not 6. Expecting World Class players to be able to take part for all 6 weeks is too much but if it were three I think the relevant cricket boards would be more open to the idea. Warney makes a very good point which I am aware of having had the good fortune to be out there, but I’m not sure the wider audience is. The IPL is now the fourth biggest sporting event in the world in terms of value, estimated at around $1billion, we should and we need to be involved.

Right, that’s it for now. Fingers crossed for a positive blog tomorrow and a good day’s play from England!

Rachel

Let’s start with the result. The writing was on the wall after our 102 in the first innings so that fact the match lasted until lunch today says something about the make-up of Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann. Which amazes me that some people are calling for Stuart Broad to be dropped. Aside from him being our best bowler at Headingley, which admittedly wasn’t that difficult, he is one of the only players in that side to show any grit in this test match. Yes the Australians may not have been bowling at full tilt today with the finish line so clearly in sight, but he still batted as though there was something to play for. Graeme Swann has cemented his place as first choice spinner for his bowling but again, performances with the bat like that only add to his cause. Broad however, has had to suffer the criticisms of countless pundits and commentators over his bowling. Yes he has been out of sorts on occasion and his figures in the other tests could have been better but he is young, he is trying his heart out and experiencing this Ashes Series will make him a shoe-in for the next series in Australia and without doubt the next home series. He will have experienced England on a high, England on the back foot, and the Aussies in your face! That experience will prove invaluable.

Which brings me to my next point. Broad is not the only man some quarters are calling on to be dropped. Ravi Bopara is facing similar if not even more vitriolic criticism. When he scored his 3 centuries he was lauded as England’s next No 3 and there is no doubt it increased his self-belief – no bad thing. But the Aussies started on Bopara before the series even began – Shane Warne called him vain for a start! He is also young, and he too will find this experience invaluable but dropping him is not the answer. Maybe drop him down the order and play him at 4 or 5 and move Collingwood up to 3. Colly has been there, seen it, done it, and now is an ideal time for him to stand up and be counted and to show the youngsters that whatever the criticism, one good day with the bat and the ball and everything is forgotten.  Likewise – Ian Bell could move up to 4 and show that he has learned from the experience of being dropped and will play for his place with passion and a flourish. (and hopefully a high score!) I don’t believe dropping Bopara is the answer, I believe you drop him to 5 but show faith in his ability still and let him go out there and play his game. No3 is the most important position in the test line-up in my opinion, and to put all that pressure on a young man getting hammered in the press is never the answer.

There are some quarters calling for the likes of Mark Ramprakash and Marcus Trescothick to get a call-up for the oval. What???!!!!Are they serious?  What message does that send out to youngsters trying to break through. Not only does it make the selcetors and captain look like fools but even more importantly, are we really resorting to pinning England’s entire Ashes hopes on an excellent county cricketer who always struggled on the international stage, or a retired batsman who quit because of psychological issues? As for the argument for Rob key – I firmly believe he has been hard done by and should have been in the side a long time ago. I have no idea why he has not been selected before but to call on him now and as above pin our hopes on him is not fair. If he failed with the bat he would never get another chance and that is too much pressure to put on someone who would obviously dearly love to wear the 3 lions. If they are serious about picking him, pick him in a series where he can perform at his best in a side that are all pulling thier weight and let him bat freely and watch him rack up the runs – therefore taking confidence in to a series against the likes of South Africa and Australia.

One last point about this test – what on earth were the bowlers doing? It’s Headingly so you pitch it up – doesn’t everyone know that? And the length??!! I know, lets bowl short and get smacked around the place! When the bowlers were out there in the first innings, did they not notice that the Aussies were bowling a good length and pitching it up and hey presto – the wickets fell?? Why on earth did they not do the same? And why did the captain and Bowling coach not tell them to do that? Or hadn’t they noticed? Bizarre! Let’s not hold and Ashes test there again – sorry yorkshire but Englands woeful performance on your ground means old Trafford is a certainty next time the bids go in!

Finally – Justin Langer. Why the fuss? Of course he’s got an opinion on the England players and why shouldn’t he share it with colleagues? It’s a shame for him it got leaked but its the best thing in the world for England. Even Michael Vaughan admits he found himself agreeing with alot of Langer’s views. If you haven’t had the chance to read it, then do. When things go against England heads drop and the body language is awful. We need a change in mentality. We need self-confident, even arrogant players to take to the field and send out signals of “Come on then, show me your best delivery, and i’ll show you a boundary”. That’s the aura Kevin Pietersen gives off and there is no doubt he is missed in that side. Likewise Freddie, but England have to get used to him not being there so someone else needs to take up the mantel and be our go-to man. 

Ok, that way too much for one blog – apologies but thanks for getting this far! I still believe we will win 2-1 thanks to a great performance at the Oval…. I just hope the team feel the same way…

Rachel

Wrong! Despite picking up four wickets themselves, Englands bowlers did not look fierce, did not look menacing and did not look like they would be able to take all 10 anytime soon! Michael Clarke was fortunate to stay in after the ball came off his glove but sitting pretty on 34 overnight he will be dangerous tomorrow unless England can get an early breakthrough. It’s a different Michael Clarke, or Pup as his teammates call him, to the one of a few years ago. He doesn’t look like he can be initimidated anymore, and if you try to sledge him I can imagine him coming back with “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”.

So day 2 looks interesting…. could England be back in by close tomorrow or will the Aussies have built up such a lead that all hope is lost? I’d cancel your hotel room for monday night – I don’t think you are going to need it. You may want to consider cancelling Sunday night too… 

Now on a different note. In a previous blog I mentioned the Barmy Army and their singing and how it invigorated the crowd at the Edgbaston test. But there has now been a backlash. I commented on one of the songs in my blog which a reader commented on and chastised me for. At first I thought he had over-reacted and that he didn’t fully understand the positive impact the Barmy Army can have at a Test Ground. But this issue has now become a huge talking point. The Barmy Army are reported to be upsetting other fans, see the Dominic Lawson column in today’s Daily Mail, and their behaviour is drawing attention for the wrong reasons. Having been at the first ever Twenty 20 match at the Rose Bowl and then the first every International Twenty20 game, also at the Rose Bowl I have seen this game evolve into a lively, entertaining, usually fast-paced, few hours of fun. The crowd are as big a part of it as the sixes that are hit out of the ground. Test Matches however, have always been different and I believe that is the way they should stay. Do we really want them to go the way of Twenty20 games? Isn’t the point of the Test match the subdued spectators listening for the sound of leather on willow, or as Dominic Lawson put it – “When the Barmy Army are in full lager-lubricated flow, it is impossible to hear whether or not a batsman has got an edge”. By all means make huge amounts of noise when the team appeals and the finger slowly rises, or when the stumps cartwheel across the grass but in between times isn’t it nice to just soak up the atmosphere. Yes I marvelled at the constant singing and chanting of the Barmy Army at Edgbaston but I was on the other side of the ground. Would I have been quite so enamoured had they been sat in front of me, standing up and blocking my view as they shared banter with the Aussies nearby? I am not so sure. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Barmy Army, as long as they are sat a few seats away if that’s ok……As for the closing of bars during the game, I don’t think that is such a bad idea. I was with 3 men at Edgbaston and they drank from 11am until 6.30 pm. It was all beer, nothing else. They weren’t rowdy, they didn’t sing, they just enjoyed the cricket. But there are others who are not so controlled or can’t hold their drink as well. So if they can’t judge for themselves, should we all have to take “drinking breaks” at certain times during the day just to make sure they don’t overdo it? Isn’t that like saying you can go to a pub for an  evening but there are only soft drinks between 7-8 and 9-10pm? I’ve got a better idea – water down the beer! Test cricket is a fantastic day out – let’s not let the minority ruin it.

As for the booing of Ricky Ponting……He is a world class batsman and every 50 and 100 is applauded by the English fans as they acknowledge his batting brilliance, but if the situation was reversed and Kevin Pietersen was walking out to bat at the MCG do you really think the Aussies would quietly applaud him? Not a chance!

Rachel

It’s funny how Staussy was talking about the Australians “aura” coming into this match and everyone got very excited about the quote and the media played along…… balh blah blah. What I was talking about leading into this test was the Edgbaston “aura”. The Aussies hate playing here already so how great would it be to beat them here again. I let my brother write this blog on Friday evening so I didn’t have a chance to talk about my experience of the day there. I have seen alot of county cricket at the ground and even saw the test between England and South Africa at the ground this time last year but I have never seen an Ashes test here. We were incredibly lucky with the weather and even luckier with the day’s play. I am probably biased because I was there but what an awesome display from England. As for the Edgbaston aura, it was fantastic. The crowd were lifted from the very first ball, admittedly helped massively by the fact that the first ball was a wicket….and then the second ball too……!! The singing was brilliant. The Barmy Army have the best catalogue of songs of any supporters – cricket, football or otherwise. ….. if you have never been to a test where the Barmy Army are out in force then you are missing out. They were brilliant then as they have been today.

Mitchell Johnson is back. Just as we anticipated, his class has returned and his temporary poor form is beginning to seem like a distant memory. He’s not quite tearing into us the same way he did with Australia but now his confidence is returning, and with Headingley starting just a couple of days after the end of this test, he will be a frightening prospect for any batsman next week.  Which brings me to the question of Stuart Broad. He has his detractors but I am not one of them…. not just yet anyway. He is struggling in this series but if the Aussies can keep faith with Mitch, should we keep faith with Broad? His runs at the end of Englands first innings today could prove decisive, at the very least vital, to England’s cause but can England keep him in this side just because of that? Steve Harmison is still looking the man to choose for me, although Ryan Sidebottom has put forward a great case with his performances in the last couple of weeks. The problem is, this seems to a be a team that is working well together,a s a unit. Can we risk breaking up that unit to bring in someone else? Ian Bell seems to have slotted in well but he came in due to injury not poor form. How difficult is it to have that team bond with the line-up chopping and changing and everyone feeling one poor game and they could be replaced? And if Broad is dropped – will we found out about it on Twitter first?

Let’s get back to today’s play….. the Aussies are 2 wickets down and England can smell victory. I hope! We have to be aggressive tomorrow and go after them, shake things up a bit, don’t let anyone settle into their rhythm adn make appeals loud and forceful. Who would have thought this morning we would possibly have a chance of getting a victory out of this match. If the weather holds off we have a shout. I know it’s not going to happen but how good would it be if Australia declared tomorrow setting England some sort of game to chase – just to make things a bit exciting rather than watch them bat out the draw?

One final note – I introduced a friend of mine to cricket last weekend at the Friends Provident trophy final at Lords….and she is now happily sitting through every day of this Ashes test sending the odd question to me about the game…and she is hooked.  That’s what I love about cricket – someone took the time and trouble to spend a day explaining the game and many many of its intricacies to me and now I am passing on what I have learnt…….spread the word!

I’ll be listening on the radio tomorrow as I have to drive up north for a job interview so I’ll blog on my return! Come on England!

“What a difference a day” makes is used far too often in cricket reports.  What a difference a day makes…  Before Ather’s had really had a chance to challenge the choice of Onions as the opening bowler, he had his first wicket.  Before he had said “what an inspired decision” – he had another!  Almost as soon as Holders had queried whether Anderson was getting predictable – he struck.  And again.  And again.  And again.  And again.

The ball was swinging a dream and Onions and Anderson made it look all too easy.  Except it can’t have been since Freddie and Broad really seemed to struggle to repeat the performance.  How is it that two of our attack can be so effective and at the same time, two others struggled so?  Freddie definitely seemed off colour with a dropped catch that was not even close.  As for Stuart, well there was a strong feeling around the ground that the batsmen were quite happy to humour him whilst they prepared for the next round of curveballs from Jimmy at the other end.

Whatever – it was a great bowling performance and after a worrying start, Strauss and Bopara looked really solid as well.  It may have been minutes later, but for most of the afternoon the Australian attack just did not look like breaking through in the same way as England had in the morning.  If it was the new ball that was at fault, then tomorrow morning should be interesting – can Australia repeat the English performance today?  Or will they just be playing on their iPhones as the weather makes it even more likely that a draw will be the outcome in Birmingham.

In a funny way, a draw is the best outcome for the Oval.  With a draw you are guaranteed a good final match since England will either be celebrating winning the Ashes already, protecting a 1-0 lead or fighting for a win to take the series.

Edgbaston basked today, not necessarily in non-stop sunshine, more non-stop cricket and for a while non-stop wickets.  I was surprised by a relatively small Australian crowd – not a huge amount of support for Ponting and his team.  Is Birmingham too far from Earl’s Court?  Maybe this is why Edgbaston has the poorest record for the tourists.

Sitting opposite the replay screen, you can’t help wish that the LBW appeal process was already here.  The screen does not replay LBWs (presumably to protect the umpires) which is really pointless since you can hear what Hawkeye says by listening to the Sky TV commentary on the headphones that everyone wears.  I think cricket will do itself a massive favour if it embraces the technology and makes full use of it now.  Lets not be sensitive about the umpires – it does not undermine them and the game will be all the more exciting and fair for it.

Thats me about done.  All in all – a great day in which we bowled brilliantly – and it wasn’t you know who!

Me again – I’m a bit worried – he’s a bit good so I won’t be letting him write it again – lol

 Rachel – and her big Brother!

What about the team line-ups? Well there is no doubt KP will be missed and it is a real shame for him that he will miss 3 Ashes tests. If you read his piece in the News of the World you will have seen how hard this injury has hit him and how difficult it is for him to watch. Let’s hope he is back playing as soon as possible. Ian Bell therefore comes in at No.4 as a straight replacement. The main talking point is of course is Steve Harmsion coming in for Graham Onions? Onions would be unlucky to miss out but Harmison has a role to play and to leave him out again having called him up would be just cruel.

Ricky Ponting  thinks spin will play a part which is interesting considering they only have one spinner in their squad. Monty has of course been released so if there is an opportunity for spin to play a part then it will be a level, if somewhat soggy, playing field. How is this for modern technology – no official announcement of the Aussie team yet but Phillip Hughes has tweeted this morning – “Disappointed not to be on the field with the lads today, will be supporting the guys, it’s a BIG test match 4 us. Thanks 4 all the support! ” So Hughes makes way for Shane Watson. interesting choice. If England were in the same position can you ever imagine a batsman amking way? We would always make a bowler make way. Watson is a quality player and interestingly one of the very few fast bowling all rounders who can open the batting. None of this is official of course and it could be some mind game son the Aussies’ part but if its true it’s interesting to see Mitchell Johnson keep his place. I think Hughes is really unlucky and the England dressing room will be encouraged to see that he is the man to step aside. Mitchell Johnson will feel lucky to keep his place, especially after continuing to struggle at Northants. There have been a million reasons given for his dip in form, from everything to not being used to the Duke ball, to not liking the slope at Lords. I believe he is just suffering a dip in form and the frightening prospect that destroyed South Africa will be back, just hopefully not too soon!

I’m heading off up to Warwickshire now for a day at Edgbaston tomorrow so will blog tonight after play! Enjoy the day’s play, if we get any, and I will you fill in tomorrow on the Edgbaston “aura” – I wonder what colour it will be?

Rachel

There is no doubt that Freddie is injured and is unable to play test cricket anymore,  so why shouldn’t he go and play for money elsewhere?  He has served us well and I have no doubt if there is any way possible he will play again in this Ashes series. However, the day after KP is ruled out of Edgbaston the media is full of stories about the ECB’s concern over his injuries.  He is getting to the age where he will get injuries and he is unlucky that this one is particularly nasty and needs alot of time away from the game to heal completely. To suggest it is because he is playing too much Twenty20 is the ECB clutching at straws if you ask me. He wants to play tests, he’s not going to risk that for money. He still has years left in test cricket but if he keeps getting this sort of grief who can blame him from walking away. Its thought Hugh Morris will take a tougher line in future in terms of players under contract being allowed to play in tournaments like the IPL, but that is asking for trouble. Does he not remember how long it took the players to sign their most recent contracts? No-one will want to sign one in future. Then what will they do? Personally I would like to see the IPL reduced to a 3 week tournament where all the players are available and it is given the credibility it deserves. The fans love T20, it brings in huge amounts of money and its exciting to watch. Yet, I don’t know anyone who didn’t describe that test at Lords as oneof the best ever. You can’t take away the thrill and eenjoyment of a well fought test match, T20 will never replace that but it has its place in the modern game.