The Ashes, baby!

[Sweder]

A good start from the home side, in part vindicating my previous assessment of the visitors as 'ordinary'. Of course we're likely to be denied a result in the second test, Mother Nature expected to show her wrath at the deluge of sport (The Open, Ashes and La Tour) by unleashing a tempest of her own tomorrow.

I was disappointed to see Harmison heading for Trent Bridge this morning, services no longer required. Having seen Cook and Strauss bat on towards 200** perhaps the selectors knew what is now apparent; this pitch lacks the promised pace & bounce. If that's not the reason we must assume the Durham paceman may not get another chance, it least in this series. Brett Lee, in what might have been reverse psychology, expressed delight on behalf of his team-mates, claiming Harmmy to be a feared opponent on his day. There's a blandness to England's bowling attack (assuming Flintoff can't bowl flat out for fear of further damage). No-one could accuse Harmison of being bland; exciting certainly; erratic, sure. But never dull.

England will need a monster total to defend with the barely tried Onions*, the errant Broad and an as-yet un-tested, patched-up Flintoff leading the way. If the pitch stays true Swann may have more to say, but I can't see this ever getting to a fourth innings when spin on a wearing pitch might pep things up. Go on boys, prove me wrong.

[SIZE="1"]* I don't agree with J. Agnew's assertion that Onions perfomance against the Windies warrants his inclusion. I could have taken wickets against that dispirited, motley crew. I guess we'll see soon enough, but it should be noted that Aggers gets well paid for his insight whereas I'm an event logistics specialist :o

** Curse of the Running Commentator - Cook plumb LBW when set like concrete. Here we go ...[/SIZE]