Trotting Towards Victory

Sorry for the light posting: a house full of friends and family explains that. Normal peace and quiet has returned this morning. Which means that, yes, as some readers have suggested it’s time to say something about the Ashes and, for that matter, Jonathan Trott. I had, after all, suggested that England’s decision to choose him (and retain Ian Bell) was gutless, pusillanimous and asking for disaster. Well, you calls ’em as you sees ’em. Selectors 1 Me 0. Which is, of course, a Very Good Thing.

This wasn’t a classic series in terms of the quality of the cricket. But it was rarely dull and often fascinating and gripping. In the end, when it mattered most England were able to press home their advantage and Australia were not. The 69 balls Jimmy anderson and Monty Panesar survived at Cardiff changed the summer. Had Australia won there – having dominated the game –  it is much less ikely that England could have bounced back at Lords.