Devil's Advocate

Test cricket is not dead. It's still going strong. In some ways, it's more exciting than your so called fast paced ODIs or your mindless slogging in a T-20 match. So lame. Ashes 2009 proves just that. Congrats England. Kudos to the Aussies.

Coming back from an innings defeat in the previous match, the English batsmen showed what determination can do for you. Their determination left Ponting with the dubious distinction of being the only Aussie captain after Billy Murdoch to loose two Ashes series in his stewardship. But distinctions apart, such a closely fought series was needed to put the waggling tongues of the pro T-20 dudes(?) to rest. Time and again people have tried to write-off test cricket and each time the great game of uncertainties has risen to the occasion and proved why it separates men from the boys.

Ashes is more than cricket. It's the repute of two nations which is on the line. One who ruled the entire world not in the too distant past. One who was once branded the continent of the convicts. Akin to a India-Pakistan cricket, Ashes is big money too. And be rest assured, such closely fought series will keep on raking in the moolah. And such a filmy climax was only apt.

The series was bitterly fought with all those controversies starting with the first test itself. It's the last Ashes for many stalwarts from both teams. Freddie has called it shots. His hanging-up-the-boots surely marks the end of an era of a great all-rounder. We'll miss those short-pitched balls of yours!!!

'nuff said. Time to soak in the nostalgia.....