Wow. Just wow. What a finish ...what a series...
4.38 am here and I can't sleep despite a good deal of Scotch imbibed . Although the rain in Manchester deprived us of the real grandstand finish , this was a fitting end to one of the most closely contested Ashes Series I have ever seen - and I go back a
long way !
2-2 was the right result , in my book. Aussies deserved their early lead - especially through that brave ninth wicket stand by Cummins and Lyon at Edgbaston ; and they didn't fold up quickly when totally outplayed at Old Trafford so were able to take advantage of the unpatriotic British weather. But England really didn't deserve to lose either so fitting that they pulled off the win today.
As DFM points out , maybe neither side is going to be remembered as one of the "greats" of the game. But greats are called that because they don't come around every week : these two went head to head for five matches and neither gave an inch . Four games decided by two or three wickets or less than fifty runs is unprecedented , I think. Ironic that the one game dominated by one team produced the only draw ! One of the most exciting Test series - Ashes or otherwise - I have ever witnessed. Nothing but praise for all of the combatants
Fitting farewell for Broad and Moeen too. Warner (love or hate him : I'm a bit of both !) lives to - maybe - fight on to Sydney ? Few others won't see another Ashes Series. Bet they'll remember this one though. I know I will .