The Ashes, baby!

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

That fine Welsh climate may yet save England, but it's turned into a memorable match regardless of the outcome. Four Aussie batsmen made centuries in one innings - the first time ever in an Ashes test, with an especially good showing by new boy Marcus North who, like Michael Hussey before him has been quietly amassing huge scores in first class cricket for years before finally getting a test spot.

In the end the English bowlers looked ragged, but that's hardly surprising. The blame must lay more with the batsmen, who all got good starts but failed to make the really big scores that were needed and were there for the taking.

Can they bat out the last day? Maybe. They *should*, as the pitch is hardly a worry, but one feels they're going to need some help from the weather.

Can't wait!