The 2nd Test

[CaptChaos]

Just to keep things in perspective and down to earth, this is what a celeb wrote about events....

stephenfry - Joy. Bliss. Divinity. Excellence. Radiant effulgence. Rapture. Content. Yards and yards of fine, fresh, fragrant happiness. All is good.

I think he was pleased?

[TheKentishFledgling]

Just to keep things in perspective and down to earth, this is what a celeb wrote about events....

stephenfry - Joy. Bliss. Divinity. Excellence. Radiant effulgence. Rapture. Content. Yards and yards of fine, fresh, fragrant happiness. All is good.

I think he was pleased?

I thought his tweet summed the mood up pretty well

tKF

[Paul Incognito]

Well can I just step in here and say a huge... I TOLD YOU SO....(see comments in First Test thread)

Whereas in 2005 when Australia were still by far the better side on paper and we relied on a stirling performance from England, the bulk of the 50/50 decisions and most of all, a very bad performance from Australia, this time the sides are much more evenly matched. But both sides have been wildly inconsistent recently, so it's not over yet. If we play as well in the remaining tests as we did in this one, I see no reason why we shouldn't win the Ashes, regardless of which Aussie team turns up.

[CaptChaos]

I almost feel sorry for the Aussies with a series of poor decisions going against them and a valiant stand last night.........nah, we beat the Aussies, we beat the Aussies!!!

PS A friend bought tickets recently for today and thought they would not see anything: they saw Freddie bowl a long and aggressive session, enjoyed the occassion and even got a partial refund as it finished before lunch! Result.

[nimbusj15]

Joy of Joys, at Fairford listening to the Vulcan wind up in one ear and being told the result in the other.

[AerBabe]

Anyone fancy some burgers and chips?

[Propwash]

I have been watching England play cricket for many, many years now, and since retirement have followed them to some lovely places around the world. I have never, ever seen a more impressive bowling display than yesterday. It was a real priviledge to be there watching as history was being made.

England bowled very well on Friday, using the conditions well, but yesterday was simply awesome (a very much over-used word). Anderson set the tone from ball one, and was very unlucky to emerge with no wickets in the second innings, but Flintoff was like a man possessed. He bowled for 1 hour 30 minutes unchanged and yet he sent every ball down at between 88-95 mph, and I can only remember one delivery that wasn't spot on (and that was too fast to hit ). I have never seen anything, by anyone, anywhere, like it. He had decided he was going up onto the bowler's honours board in his last test at Lord's and did just that. Imagine what he could have done if he didn't have to play through the pain of a bad knee.

I had the pleasure yesterday of sitting next to a group from an Australian tour party. Before play started they were happily confident of securing a win with an historic run chase, and were busy telling every England supporter just that. It took just one and a bit overs to silence them, and they barely stirred for the rest of the session. They left as broken men. Before leaving the ground, after much champagne had been consumed by all, I purchased a printed sorecard of the match and intend to hang it next to my painting of Lord's. My late father was just 19 years old the last time this happened.

There was a very strong, cold wind for 4 of the days, and I was wet or cold, or both, for much of the time. It was worth every bit of it.

PW