Shouting from the Hop

England clung on for a draw today in the final test match, and take the series 2-1, thus reclaiming the Ashes after 18 long years.
It was great stuff, on a par with the majority of the rest in this series, as England slumped to 128-5 before lunch. Then KP finally showed his worth, surviving three dropped catches, to score 158. He hit seven sixes, the most ever by an Englishman in an Ashes match. Ashley Giles, the King of Spain, provided solid support and hit his best test score too (59). Warne took another six wicket haul. Fittingly in this weather dominated match, bad light brought an end to the game and the series, with the Aussie batters not knowing if they should stay on (and try for 19 an over for 15 overs!) or come off.

The celebrations were immense, and I admit to having a tear in the eye when the bails were finally removed. I was also very proud of the boys.

Here's a quick run down on how I thought the boys did this series:

Trescothick - Solid, without quite being spectacular. A good series. Confident, and experienced now. Others look up to him.
Strauss - Two good tons, but a few low scores too. Learnt hugely from this series, and should still get better. Caught well mainly.
Vaughan - Good leadership, and some interesting field placings (could have been Fletcher's ideas though). One great ton, but flattered to deceive during most innings.
Bell - Not good enough yet. Nervous. Will go to Pakistan but under a little pressure now to get more runs consistently. Fielded OK.

Pieterson - Can't catch but who cares. Most runs of anyone on either side, in his debut series. A great team member, he needs to look like it on the field sometimes.

Flintoff - Magic man. Bowled brilliantly (got Gilchrist out time after time), fielded well, and batted sensibly most of the time. Freddie is the king and man of the series. First player to get 300 runs and twenty wickets in an Ashes series since Botham.
Jones G - Batted and kept well sometimes. Batted terribly and dropped dollies sometimes. Needs consistency or he'll be under even more pressure.
Collingwood - Fielded great. Batted sensibly without reward in his one test at The Oval. A good twelth man.
Giles - Bowled well mostly, without many wickets, and batting got better over the series. Ended on a high with the winning runs at Trent Bridge and 50 to save the match at Oval. The King of Spain (sic)!
Hoggard - Key member of side but under-valued. If anyone can swing it, Hoggie can. Took vital wickets at key times throughout the series.
Harmison - Good start but seemed to get a little tired as the series wore on. Aussies definitely scared of him and Ponting has the scar to show (the only thing he will be taking back down under with him!).
Jones S - Great back up bowling, with big hauls of wickets when the ball reverse swung. Great heart. Missed The Oval match but cheered the lads on throughout.

The Pakistan squad will be picked next week, and all the above will go plus a back up keeper (got to be Chris Read), another batter (Key?), quick bowler (Tremlett?), and spinner (Panesar?).

The consensus is that this has been the best test series ever, between anyone. Close matches, tight finishes, great batting, bowling and fielding. Blood spilt, friendships maintained. Both sides played very hard, and smiled when they needed to. I doubt we'll see this good a summers cricket again for a long long time, if ever.

Oh, and bye Richie! Thanks for all the great commentaries you have given us in the UK!