The Ashes, baby!

[Sweder]

It certainly helped having a close-to-fully-fit Fred chucking grenades down at well over 90 mph, though notable that Jimmy Anderson did most of the statistical damage. England do still need an out-and-out strike bowler (Jones circa 2005 would be just the ticket). Harmison appears to have pissed in somebody's popcorn - if he can't make the side in his current county form we must assume he's spoiled goods in the eyes of the selectors.

Good stuff from Collingwood & Prior on Saturday, making the visitor attack appear toothless and clueless. Flintoff aside I've been unimpressed with bowlers on both sides. There again there's not too much in the pitch and the Aussies, mostly inexperienced in English conditions and using our make of ball, seem to be taking time to adjust. It'll be a different story when Lee's fit.

I'd like to see Strauss give Flintoff a half-hour with the willow before the declaration this morning. Not a shred of sentiment there (albeit Fred's last Lords test appearance); rather a ploy to deny the Aussie openers the luxury of long-term preparation and the (minimal) psychological advantage of knowing exactly when they'll be coming out to bat. Minor details perhaps but in these contests small things make a big difference.

Whatever happens - and you never say never with Australian cricket sides - we're in for some good sport in the next 48 hours. Meanwhile hats off to Tom Watson as he leads the field into the last day of The Open at Turnberry. Much as I'd love to see Westwood (or Fisher) bring it home there can be few who'd begrudge the 59-year-old five-time former champion showing the young pups how it's done.

And therein lies the rub; if a man just weeks shy of his sixtieth birthday can win the top competition in the world can golf truly be considered a sport or, as is often advanced by disgruntled sports fans who believe if one doesn't sweat it ain't sport, is it a game at best and most likely a super-hyped gentleman's pasttime?

Mind that can - oops! Worms all over the place