From Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

England have won the ashes, and boy they deserved it. After 18 years of humilitation and the aussies being big bullies from 1999 onwards.

But england have been on road to greatness, right from beating wimdies in windies, Pakis in Pakistan, nearly drawing series in india nad srilanka (under nasser hussain) and then beating Kiwis, South Africans, so they have got a good nucleus built over the years.
Their pace attack is as good as any. 4 quicks but al lwith different styles. Concern is their middle order with Ian bell making a pair, and i think they are a basman short. but nevertheless, I havent even supported India so much, or followed a series so keenly. ( I have been thinking bout ashes from april, and was waiting for July 21 for the first day till sept 12 the last day)

This is a new chapter in world criket.
Waiting now for further humiliation of the aussies in the Super series (6 day ests world XI vs Aussies)

though on selection i disagree with gavaskar (Akhtar does deserve to be in any team)

My World XI for tests

1 Graeme Smith
2 Marcus Trescothick
3 Rahul Dravid (his cuurent form doesnt merit inclusion though might be replaced by vaughan)
4 Brian Lara
5 Sachin Tendulkar (yeah below his favourite position)
6 Kumar Sangakara
7 Freddie Flintoff
8 Shaun Pollock
9 Muralitharan
10 Shane Bond
11 could be for an allrounder Heath Streak or jaques Kallis (obviously batting at 7 or Steve Harmison)

yeah the result of super series is a forgone conclusion
if the world XI plays like a unit

anyways

lets see how it works out