Reader's photo: Tom Hovell
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Will this Ashes series revitalise cricket?
England's victorious cricketers have celebrated their defeat of Australia in a series for the first time since 1987 after drawing Monday's final Test at The Oval.
This is a second page of your comments.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
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Cricket will definitely not be revitalised by making it only available on Sky Sports
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Some of the comments about 'boring' cricket are interesting. Perhaps these people should watch a 20-20 game. Over in a day, lots of excitement and generally nail-biting endings. Oh, wait a minute, they have probably never seen such a game as they are not shown on terrestrial TV. Cricket will definitely not be revitalised by making it only available on Sky Sports.
Richard, Brighton
My whole summer was hi-jacked by cricket, not only because of the ashes but because my husband and sons put their names forward for every available game, and have been on several 'friendly' cricket tours of their own. From April to September, every year, it is cricket and more cricket and piles of kit everywhere. Of course. In between their own games they have been glued to the set, even on warm days when to me, the beach was more appealing. But despite being as I am, a cricket widow, I am delighted to see the positively uplifting effect these games have had on the spirits of the general population, young and elderly alike. I am celebrating the fact that like many others, my lads know how to have a good time, but in a way that involves team spirit, generosity, non-damaging enjoyment of the countryside and (relatively) peaceful interaction with other nations. Long live cricket!
JM, Exeter
I can understand the delight of English cricket fans all over the world at regaining the Ashes. I can only assume that it is almost as significant as Scotland retaining the world title for Elephant Polo away from home. Well done to Nelly and her chums!
Callum Pirie, Linlithgow, Scotland
I have always been a fan of cricket and this series was terrific, in fact nail-biting. But I am so sad and cross that I shall not be able to watch England play in the future, the reason being that I have terrestrial TV. I always like to support my country, England in sport but I am denied this in rugby, football and now cricket.
Penny Smith, East Sussex, England
I don't begrudge the England team their success - I am even interested in cricket. But why all the media hype? Half the news devoted to the victory, when there were major riots in a large city of the UK? Hey, sense of proportion, someone! And where were the media in previous Ashes series, for that matter?
Chris Morris, Belfast, NI
Congratulations to England and all that. It's great that cricket fans are excited. Personally I've never been a fan and never will be, cricket has to be about the most boring and incomprehensible game ever created. But I do not begrudge the enthusiasm and celebration of its fans.
Andy Karr, Kent, UK
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The scale of the celebrations is ludicrous
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The England team did a fantastic job, but the scale of the celebrations is ludicrous. Doesn't it make us look just a little desperate that we have won a trophy that we should be in a position to win on a regular basis?
Julian, Sussex
No I did not watch the cricket. Well, I did but only when I was trying to watch something else that was re-scheduled due to the game over-running. Why must sports be thrown in my face just because England are playing? It doesn't affect my life if they win or lose - I don't care!
Jay, Northants, UK
It was completely gripping! I could hardly tear myself away. England were the better side. Luck went both ways, in terms of weather, but over the series, we outplayed the Aussies. Well done to the team, Vaughan's excellent captaincy, the team spirit, and the selectors for some inspired decisions, like persevering with Freddie Flintoff, trusting Pieterson, etc. We have a young side, who will hopefully go on to dominate world cricket for the next few years!
A Legge, Lees, UK
How can you spend five days watching this? I got bored after fifteen minutes. England beat Australia, pop 9 million, wow! It has taken 18 years to beat them. England will have no chance in the next ashes away from home, as they can't rely on the weather to help them out. If England could hold on to the Ashes for 18 years like the Aussies then maybe they should have a parade not after one victory.
Paul, Standish, UK
I have been following Cricket since 1966 and began playing in 68. I can honestly say this series has been the most pulsatingly gripping cricket series I have ever known. Interestingly Richie Benaud seems to agree and I'll take his word for that!
Chris Green, Hagley, England
Cricket has historically symbolised rural values against urban commercialisation. Games like football and tennis are getting increasingly commercialised and this is turning people off. Games like cricket and rugby can bring back simplicity into sport.
Prashant, Toronto, Canada
A good series of exciting games. A pity really that the media try to "hype" the presentation in the style that is used for football. The real shame is on the local authorities and schools who have sold off their playing fields for short term profit. Soon our kids will have nowhere to go for cricket.
Charles Smith, London UK
No. But well done to the team, maybe someone should mention that it is actually 'England and Wales' cricket team. Funny though when you consider they were struggling without Simon Jones and had to rely on the weather to guarantee victory. But honestly, well done to them. Would the media and public interest in the cricket team be so profound if the English football and rugby teams weren't so bad?
Ian Farr-Williams, Milton Keynes, UK
I think rain has played a vital role in this match. Australia is still a better side than England in both forms of cricket.
Tahir, Karachi, Pakistan
Watching a game of rugby is an intense 80 minutes, watching a five day test is just out of this world. It makes me so proud that both teams and supporters have so much passion, spirit and sportsmanship. Cricket is a real gentlemen's game, shame footballers can't behave in this manner. Well done England.
Martin, Great Bookham
I am not a big cricket fan, but I really take my hat off to these guys for a great job, I hope they all get the benefit they deserve for their hard work. What a contrast between cricket, rugby and football. Football has too many overpaid prima donnas who need to start giving value for money.
Chris Parker, Padbury
To all those people moaning about how the weather helped England in the fifth test, it also saved Australia in the third test. If it were not for rain we would have had an extra day to bowl at the last two batsmen. I am pleased by the win, but am a little unsure by the extent of the celebrations. They seem a little over the top, and certainly not cricket.
Andy T, Southend, Essex
I was lucky enough to be at The Oval on Sunday and Monday. It was utterly gripping, nut crunching stuff. I think we will have to wait a long time for a series as exciting as this. Perhaps even till December 2006 when England will defend The Ashes and bring them home again. Let's hope the sport can build on this, not just domestically but also internationally.
Maarten Coelingh, Utrecht, Netherlands
In the past I would never watch cricket, regardless of level. I always thought it more exciting to watch paint drying even though my parents and sister swear by it. The positive media coverage of this series compelled me to watch some of the closing stages of the tests and I thought it good entertainment. I may even watch cricket again in the future. The disappointing part was the way the series ended, it would have been wonderful for the players to have been on the field at the end instead of off the field unsure of what was to follow, caused by stuffy rules.
Kevin Hilliard, Darlington, Co. Durham
This Ashes series has been stupendous. I am usually a fairly sedate cricket enthusiast but this series has had me jumping for joy and falling off my chair in amazement. There have been some fabulous performances from both teams, but I am positively ecstatic that we won. I hope our team's determination and the support for our team continues and doesn't fizzle out.
Hannah Sargeant, Calne, Wilts, England
I'm off to Oz in a couple of weeks, hopefully armed with a couple of Ashes DVDs for my Aussie relatives although one is threatening to tell immigration he doesn't know me.., nice to hear they're taking it well...
Lee, Cardiff, UK
This Ashes series has epitomised the great traditions of cricket, which are skill, humour, sportsmanship, passion, pressure and friendship! Well done the England cricket team for putting a smile on my face.
Richard Skingley, Lewisham, London
As an ex-pat living in Australia I think the result is marvellous. My 18 years of torment are over and now in addition to the Rugby World Cup I can also add that the Ashes are back where they belong. It's also going to be fun watching the repercussions in the Australian press - sure blood will be shed.
Steve, Canberra, Australia
My hat's off to Brett Lee, who showed a generosity of spirit and an infectious good humour which was impossible to begrudge. When many of the Aussie team had been accused of dourness or arrogance, everything about Lee showed generosity of spirit and the embodiment of sportsmanship.
Tom Welch, Nottingham, UK
Every year we have the Ashes. Why the frenzy this year? Is it because England has a decent team? I have never seen so many people jump on the band wagon. And the victory parade is the crassest idea in years. This is another spin by this government to deflect from real issues.
Malcolm Butler, Cork
Installing some lights at the oval would not be a bad idea. Electric lighting has been around for some time now and it has been installed at most international sporting venues. Scheduling the matches in Summer instead of Autumn would make play less likely to be abandoned due to poor light. Unfortunately we just witnessed a season marred by poor scheduling, biased umpiring and questionable substitution tactics. In any case the English side were lucky to have recruited a South African to win the series for them.
Mark, Wales, UK
I work at a social club which has a very large Irish and Scottish membership. They have all been as gripped as I have, and I've loved cricket all my life. Here's to the future of the one truly beautiful game!
Tom, Dover, UK
Great result - but nothing like winning it 17 times in a row. When we've matched that record - I'll celebrate.
Dan, West Country, UK
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He took it all with great humour
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I was lucky enough to be at the final day yesterday and just want to say how sporting Justin Langer was. I am a Brit, as were the majority of the crowd in the Peter May Stand and each time Langer was fielding at the boundary he was subject to rather a lot of "banter" from us all! Instead of being aloof he took it all with great humour and joined in on the fun all the way through to the end. Good on ya Justin!
Katy, London
Are you watching England (football team)? There was a team that showed passion and determination, not like those overpaid pansies... Bring on the return leg in 2006, Sydney here I come.
Dan, Harrogate
Not normally a regular cricket fan, I felt compelled to watch the Ashes series after the first two tests when I discovered how closely matched the two teams were. It was a pleasant surprise to find that both teams played the matches with a serious dedication and desire to win but balanced with a mature and genuine respect for each other. This resulted in a fair and friendly game where both teams demonstrated the epitome of good sportsmanship. Something that is rarely seen in many of the other "popular" sports. Congratulations to both the victors and the vanquished for a great sporting spectacle - I will be watching much more cricket from now on.
Greg, Wells, England
I have always found cricket dull and often frustratingly boring.... until about 3 weeks ago and I am now addicted. It was a fantastic and gripping ashes and I am now looking forward to watching the tour of Pakistan!
Alex, Dartmouth
No I wasn't gripped by the cricket, but like many others, I applaud both sides for their endeavours. I would have enjoyed seeing the parade on television, but like so many people, I am at work and there are no televisions here. Shame for many cricket fans that they were unable to watch it. Perhaps it should have been organised for this evening?
Elaine, Letchworth Garden City, UK
No I was most definitely was not! The BBC has gone completely overboard on this - they should remember that the first B in BBC stands for British not English. For all the publicity only 7.4 million bothered to watch it - that leaves nearly 50 million of us who are bored to tears with the whole thing.
Fergie Meek, Killin, Scotland
I've never been a cricket fan and unfortunately yesterday's win hasn't changed my view on the sport. It just doesn't stir up the same emotions for me as being in the rugby or football world cup final. I think cricket is a lot less popular amongst my peers (late teens to early 20s) compared to previous generations.
Dave, Romford
I've watched football keenly for the last ten years (I was a Man United fan but now I support Chelsea). Now I am converted to cricket but I'm dismayed to find out that it will no longer be shown on freeview. This is nothing short of a national disgrace. How are the unemployed going to afford the fees to support our national team? Blair must do something now or a generation of fans will be lost.
Paul Armatage, Bishops Stortford, England
Well done to the England, we've had too wait along time for Ashes success. I find hard to believe that some people can be negative about a great achievement.
Peter Baldrey, Devizes, Wilts
As sporting events go, this Ashes series has had everything, highs and lows, great sportsmanship, funny moments (yesterday with the Aussie team in sunglasses - brilliant!) and the end of 3 legendary Aussies in England - McGrath, Warne and Benaud. England winning the Ashes just caps it perfectly. It's been emotional!
Mark Fawcett, Portsmouth, Hants
I think it's refreshing that we have English sportsmen that can actually speak English properly. English footballers are a sorry lot!
Simon Pearson, Yorkshire - UK
Why on earth does the word 'football' crop up so often in a discussion on cricket ? Do these same people spend their days comparing apples and oranges ??
Mike, London
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Lets see if Pakistan is up to the challenge of an on-a-roll England team
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I was watching it closely and am going to tour Pakistan next month. Lets see if Pakistan is up to the challenge of an on-a-roll England team.
Ali, Lahore, Pakistan
The whole thing definitely pulled me in. The only thing I was missing was a good newbie guide to interpreting cricket scores. If I (and many more, I'm sure) had known what exactly was going on, I would definitely have followed it more closely. But congrats England!
Nico, Washington DC, USA
Despite being here in Granada for most of the Tests and not even being a big cricket fan, I've been online as much as possible following the action. Would love to have been back home in England for the final result and all the partying!
Sophie Elizabeth, Granada, Spain
Great Result for the English cricketers however once again spoilt by total domination of the news. Other major and more important things are happening in the world - 20 minutes dedication to cricket, come on!
Shirley Beveridge, Dunfermline, Scotland
As a Scotsman I was amazed to find myself cheering on England on the final day of the ashes. The team played brilliantly and the whole of the United Kingdom Congratulates them on their success.
Euan Tough, Aberdeen, Scotland
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I'd love to of seen Paul Gasgoine in his prime, bound in and bowl at 90mph for 18 overs on the trot
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You can't help but feel after watching a series such as this that those who still feel moved enough to come onto these discussions and brand the game boring know nothing of the game on any level. I'd love to of seen Paul Gasgoine in his prime, bound in and bowl at 90mph for 18 overs on the trot.
Gurav, Mumbai, India
Why all the excitement! The Ashes is a game played between two nations and two nations only. It is as inclusive as USA's "World Series" baseball, and about as significant as winning a cream egg at a Sunday school outing.
Gary, Edinburgh
I am a cricket fan through and through. I was at The Oval on Thursday having bought my ticket in November last year. I wonder how many of these new 'cricket fans' will be queuing to watch England play Sri Lanka and Pakistan next year?
Andy, Sutton, Surrey
Congrats to England, but cricket still remains a middle class sport, compared to football, which is working class. Breaks for tea, weather and bad light stopping play, big build up for the over, and then a defensive stroke, no, not gripped, and never will be. No real characters in the sport either, no David Gower in his tigermoth, no Merv Hughes, and Jack Russell theatrics. Roll on Football World Cup!
Stephen, Leeds
Whilst undeniably a phenomenal victory, I hope we are not obliged to distribute knighthoods for winning a game that ultimately relied on the British weather and meal breaks for success. Perhaps we should introduce some changes to Wimbledon ?
Kate, Chelmsford
My wife got hooked on this series, my son a passionate football fan got hooked and out in the streets kids are playing cricket. Tension to last ball, intense rivalry, good spirit, respect for umpires and passion from an English national team coupled with brilliant coverage both on radio and TV. What more could you ask for from a sport?
Jim Kirk, Basildon UK
Gripped as an ongoing story but not by the cricket. I didn't see a single ball being bowled and don't feel that I have missed anything. However, I don't think it would have been anything like as interesting if England were generally a more successful sporting nation or I had been subjected to the torture of actually watching it. Of course the imponderable is just how much more gripping it would be if I actually cared who won.
Sam, Colchester, UK
What a great result! Just please don't devalue the honours system again, by giving MBEs to people for one sports competition - I question giving them to sports-people after an entire lifetime's 'work' let alone for 4 weeks worth.
Tim Booth, London, England
Matt Busby was knighted after England won the football world cup. If there are to be any knighthoods for the England cricket team one should go to the coach, Duncan Fletcher. It would make up for the government's refusal to grant him British Citizenship for 15 years, even though all four of his grandparents were British.
Arnold Page, High Wycombe, England
Well done England but congratulations to the Australians for making it a close and exciting series. A few more runs at Edgbaston would have given Australia a 2-0 lead and who knows? A special tribute to Shane Warne, the greatest leg spinner ever to have played test cricket, a great shame we will not be seeing him grace our test grounds again. If this victory encourages young lads to pick up bat and ball and have a go at this wonderful game then there could be a great future.
Paul Simmons, Birmingham, UK
A lot of comment about the weather in the final test helping England but it should be remembered that it also helped Australia earlier. Also maybe the very short sighted loss of cricket to terrestrial viewers will give a good chance to promote the women's series instead!
Robin Street, Boynton, East Yorkshire
I think you will find that Wales are celebrating as it's the England and Wales cricket team that have just regained the Ashes.
Jo, Bournemouth, UK
I am an Irishman and never liked cricket much. But I was gripped - because I was looking at a team of guys who really cared passionately about the game in hand. How refreshing!
Vince, Manchester
I can't take seriously a 'sport' that incorporates meal breaks.
Kieran O'Connor, Bury St Edmunds
Great result - no doubt a handful of knighthoods and OBE's will shortly follow!
James Murphy, Dorset, UK
Cricket will be revitalised until the English team fails a Test - then there will be the usual tabloid headlines of the terrible team, the terrible manager that must resign, and the terrible let down for the entire nation. Sport is a fickle and niche minority interest that should be resigned to a niche minority sports channel.
Matt, Nottingham, UK
The BBC this morning claimed that "the whole of Britain was celebrating." Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland aren't celebrating. We're just baffled by a game that lasts 5 days and still ends in a draw.
Peter (Scot ex-pat), Nottingham
I'm glad the team will be regarded as "guests of honour" when they visit Downing Street this afternoon and the government are showing such a level of support. Wasn't it a pity that they didn't show them the same during the tour to Zimbabwe last year, when the situation was "nothing to do with us, it's the ECB's problem". Fair weather friends are so easy to come by.
Peter, London
Australia was beaten by the weather, as if they had not lost 6-8 hrs there might have been a very different outlook. Just as well Pieterson (South African) was in the side.
Tristan, Cape Town, South Africa
No, I was not gripped. I am completely indifferent to cricket. I hate the way the game always seems to overrun and screw up TV programmes I have been waiting to see. I think cricket is just plain daft and I'm glad it's all over for now. Cricket, bah!
Mike Mitchell, Spalding, UK
Thanks to greedy ECB I will not be able to watch anymore cricket! I don't have Sky and I won't get just it especially for cricket. Cricket is national sport and it should be televised on the BBC or Channel 4. The ECB are just greedy!
Kets, Leicester
It's a pretty shallow victory when you rely on the weather to frustrate your opponents rather than your skill to beat them. Nevertheless, congratulations to both teams for some very entertaining cricket all summer.
Gwyn, Chester, Cheshire
The cynic in me can't help wondering if all this fervour will last beyond next week and how soon England's biggest stars will announce their retirement to write their memoirs. We had this kind of mass-hysteria when our rugby team beat the Australians, but the success didn't last any time at all.
Anon, Fareham, UK
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I would urge all concerned to prevent cricket being sold to the highest bidder
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Whether you like cricket or not, it has a much longer heritage in this country than football and epitomises both the English spirit and the English summer. It should be accessible to all as a right and I would urge all concerned to prevent cricket being sold to the highest bidder. Both teams in this series have been an inspiration to young and old alike, let's not lose that to pay per view TV.
Jackie, Brighton
Well done England, and a big thank you to both teams for the excellent spirit in which the series was played - the genuine saluting of good play on one side by the other team, especially the Aussies congratulating Pietersen's century, which effectively took the ashes from them. Will it revitalise the game? Well, it might until next season when it is not available on terrestrial TV - big thank you to the government for taking cricket off the list, from their friend Mr Murdoch, and a big well done to the short-sightedness of the ECB in losing a lot of new fans as soon as they've arrived.
Jon G, Huddersfield UK
I'm just waiting for the moment that England return to old form and our fickle press turn on them like a pack on rabid dogs.
Alex Stansfield, Haywards Heath
Who really cares about the Ashes? I would have accepted an England defeat because this wonderful series has reminded us what true sportsmanship is all about. Intense competition but great camaraderie and mutual respect between the players. Football (players and fans) please take note.
Rob, Buckingham, UK
Never watched cricket and don't know the rules but spent all day yesterday glued to the television. Well done lads you did us proud
Sharon, UK
I don't remember England winning in Australia in 1985/86 so this feels like the first time that England have won the Ashes. Congratulations to all the players, especially Andrew Flintoff, whose playing is in inspiration to watch; the guy is a gent of the finest order and a model professional. Well done too to the Australian side who showed such spirit; they were not giving up the Ashes without a fight!
Patrick, London
Well done you pack of winning poms! What a fantastic test it's been. Both teams played their best, and the best team won.
David Peterson, Sydney, Australia
I always believed that England was a better team all-around and the Aussies lacked both in confidence and abilities. England deserved to regain the Ashes and I cannot express my joy in words but to paint a picture of utter bliss in my mind. Well done, each and every English player; and stay on ground. Do not for a moment think that you have got wings now and can fly because staying firm on the ground will bring you more glories. Heartiest congratulations to you all!
Saqib Khan, London, UK
Gripped and with the marks to prove it! A magnificent series marked by the manner in which both sides conducted themselves both in victory and defeat. The sights of Flintoff consoling Lee and Warne congratulating Pietersen are in marked contrast to the behaviour and attitude of the Rooneys of this world, screaming abuse at referees.
I.McDonell, UK
Now it's all over and we have a chance to draw breath, what next? I suppose it's back to the media overhype of soccer and the shunting of cricket into the siding that is satellite TV for the next 4 years. Hopefully the audience pulled in by channel 4 this year will be remembered by the cricket authorities next time and sensibly decide to put cricket back on mainstream TV for the next ashes series when the Ockers will be holding nothing back to get 'that urn'. Can the nation stand the waiting?
Willow, UK
Well done and congratulations! An excellent victory that should keep the Aussies quiet for a week or two. But, please remember that half of the countries in the UK couldn't care less about cricket, it really doesn't interest us at all so stop trying to include us, we don't care. Enjoy it though, and again, well done!
Bill, Glasgow
A very gripping series indeed! I particularly enjoyed the intensity of each match as well as the bonhomie between all the players - real sportsmanship at its very best and a great credit to both teams. Well done to England, players, fans, everyone! And thanks to Australia for putting up such a spirited and memorable fight!
Richard, Dubai
A great series. The British public are so fickle though, with sports going in and out of fashion. The Rugby Union boys being a case in point. This one is for all those who sat through years of batting collapses, not the fair-weathered fans. It was worth the wait. Cricket, it's the new Rugby, and will no doubt return to being unpopular should (when) we lose a series.
Matt, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (ex. UK)
I'd like to congratulate both sets of players for providing a summer of great entertainment and high drama - and an England victory at last! Now at least my fingernails might have a chance to grow back though...
Charles Pope, Beijing, China
I think it goes without doubt that this is possibly biggest ever achievement on part of English sports and should rank better than 66'world cup for the sheer intensity of competition-over 8 weeks against the very best in the world-unlike the world cup where in the team didn't face any credible opponent till quarters. It simply should go down as a treatise to human spirit and values. Long Live Cricket..its the nation's honour and not that of a club!!
Li XinXan, UlanBator, Mongolia
You should have heard the moaning and whinging that's been going on over here by the Aussies. The worst part was when the pommes started preparing for a victory parade before they'd even won - complete uproar! Seriously though, what a great series from both teams.
Amanda, Perth, Western Australia
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Well done both teams for showing us what sport is all about
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Yes, totally gripped. The attitude and sportsmanship of both teams filled me with hope. Say what you like about the Aussies, but they have shown us the true spirit of sport, fight like a caged rat to win, but be magnanimous in either victory or defeat, something we had forgotten in this country. I applaud the England win, but I think our guests have behaved impeccably throughout. Well done both teams for showing us what sport is all about. Sven and company - take note!
Danny, Lymington
Cricket legends are striking back after a long years. It's is worth praising England team for the wonderful play V/s Australia the world leaders of Cricket. I congratulate the England Team, and many, many wishes to Andrew Flintoff, as he is my favourite of the England team.
Ibrahim, Dammam Saudi Arabia
What a fantastic series - both teams playing their hearts out with some outstanding individual performances from the likes of Flintoff, Warne, Pieterson. In fact all those who played had moments of glory. If only the England football team would play with as much passion, commitment and skill. Perhaps we can be re-named 'gloating poms' at least for a while.
Paul, Winchester, Hants
It was great. Congratulations all round. Maybe next time we have a celebration parade, it will be on a Saturday so us people who work out of central London or the kids who go to school have a chance to attend?!
Anon, London, UK (But works in Surrey)
I don't enjoy any sport. However, cricket seems to me a sport played by gentlemen and watched by REAL fans; unlike football. If only the team spirit of the England and Australian cricket teams could rub-off onto other parts of our society.
Mike W, Gravesend,Kent, UK
No One.......is gripped by Cricket. You don't play a game for three or four days to have a draw and claim victory. Three or four days and a draw is three or four days lost from your life. Let's have some subjects with substance please! P.S. If you are gripped by Cricket your life is at a standstill, try Dominos for some fast moving action.........
Ian Gavet (ex pat), San Francisco, USA
As an Englishman living in Australia, our great victory to win the Ashes is the best sporting moment I can ever remember. After years of teasing here by sports mad Australian mates and work mates, today I can walk around this beautiful country with my 'pommie' head held high after a great cricket series Funny thing is, in Australia today, nobody wants to talk about cricket! Well done boys, a great sporting feat. I am proud of you
Richard Nuttall, Tasmania
Hic hic hooray! Topping up my liquid levels of course. Tremendous series with the excellent result is good for the feel-good factor in a too often sad world. Any sport awareness has to be good for the youth of this country.
Tim McMahon, Pennar/Wales
In response to the earlier e-mail about "over-the-top celebration." It has been people like you, sir, who have been the problem with English sport for so long now. Our cricket team beats the number one side in the world with aggressive, skilful flair and all you can say is "calm down." As a 15 year old boy, I have the privilege to grow up with a new sporting mentality. I feel sorry that you have become so out dated and behind the times. P.S. Well done England!
Tristan Barclay, Chichester, England.
Cricket (underrated) - nah, Football (overrated, overpaid and over the top) - nah, though I did watch it with my son (15)and saw England get beaten by Denmark (no tears from me!). Rugby - now you're talking - action and excitement all the way.
Rowland, Denmark (ex patr)
Nope. Cricket is tedious. How can you play a game for 5 days then end in a draw? How many other sports stop for tea? Why is the game so dramatically different from the one we played as kids?
Jon King, Cambs, UK
Our guys have shown maturity, passion, professionalism and talent. Makes me proud to be English. Lets hope out football team can learn from this.
TrinityGirl, Newbury, Berks
Congrats to England on their remarkable victory. Great to watch English cricket at their best after a long time....Hope to see a good show in Pakistan too in October...Best of Luck..
Usman, Lahore, Pakistan.
To beat Australia in a test series needs some special effort, like Laxman 280.You need to reach the same heights where they live consistently. For the first time, England have 12 people with such composure to achieve that height .But what an effort by Warne, the Great.
Nadeem Khan, Islamabad, Pakistan
OK, I'm Scottish but please get this cricket win into perspective. The England team drew the last game due to the weather. Hardly an earth shattering achievement.
Roy Clark, Stirling, Scotland.
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I still don't understand how after five days a match can end in a draw
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Although I now appreciate the magnitude of this win after 18 years of losing I still don't understand the fuss about cricket. It's so slow! And I still don't understand how after five days a match can end in a draw.
Juan, London, UK
Brilliant for cricket and England, basically a wonderful summer of cricket. Let's just hope the football lads can do the same next year and win us the World Cup. All three, then rugby, cricket and football. (well one can dream).
Tom Wrigglesworth, York, England
What a great night of cricket. Struggling too stay awake at work this morning but how good is it to be an Englishman in Australia today. Well done boys!
Dipesh Gandhi, Sydney (Pommie ex-pat)
I have been attending and watching Test matches since 1946 and yes, this has been the greatest series but also the sportsmanship of both sides has been the very best ever. All the players involved have been a credit to the game and a fine example to kids everywhere.
Bill H, Streatley, Berks
Amazing end to an amazing series, and what a great advert for the game. Several pundits have commented that Warne dropping KP on 15 probably cost the Aussies the Ashes. But without Warne, they wouldn't even have been in the hunt. What a performance. He must have run Freddie close for man of the series.
Nick Berry, Woodstock, UK
Anyone watch Match of the Day at the weekend? Thought not. A dire week for football juxtaposed with such an immense triumph by true sportsmen, soon, one presumes, to become national darlings. It makes one sad to see the summer end. Long live English cricket, and here's to hoping that England are back on terrestrial TV much earlier than 2010.
Jim, Coventry
No need to drown the sorrows. The better team won. Bring on the tour down under and let's see how good this English team really is. Now I can finally get some sleep.
Simon, Melbourne, Australia
I have loved every minute of this Ashes series. Not exactly living in a cricket haven it takes something special (World Cup 99) to get my attention but I have been gripped since the first ball. Seeing Shane Warne and Freddie Flintoff at their destructive bests too in the same series was unbelievable. I just hope I have Sky in 15 months time.
Brian Douglas, Bellshill, Scotland
Yes, of course it will revitalise the game. People might even realise how much more attractive it is than football with its band of over-paid prima donnas and hooligan followers.
Heather Roberts, Redhill, UK.
Fantastic match, great series. Been up all night now struggling to stay awake at my desk.
Neil Elson, Cambridge, New Zealand
Absolutely. Some of colleagues who know nothing about cricket were started to learn about cricket. This victory is really good considering pathetic display of English football team. At last English sports fan has got some thing to cheer about.
Raj Govindan, UK
What an incredible series by two incredible teams! Regardless of the result, this was one remarkable contest. Well done, England but let's not forget well done Australia too.
Steve Hathorn, Kampala, Uganda
Well done you poms - the best team won. Bring on the next Ashes series!
Steve Bates-Armytage, Cambridge England (Aussie expat)
The majority of test matches are resolved by bad-light, rain or other meteorological events. If the match had been played over the full five days there would probably have been a different result
John Larkin, Madrid, Spain
This has been the greatest series I can remember since 1981. Today is my 40th birthday, and I cannot think of a better present to have I think we should also pay tribute to a fantastic Australian side, one that will be remembered for many years. And we have been privileged to see Warne play.
Alastair Ruston, Alsager, Cheshire
I enjoy watched cricket, and congratulations to England for winning. But please Mr Blair, no knighthoods and MBEs this time.
Neil Small, Scotland
I have been living in Manchester since 1970, and was not really a cricket fan> The first time I went to watch a Cricket Match was at Old Trafford last month. I enjoyed the atmosphere and it was more genteel than I had expected. I think when top class teams play people become more interested in the sport.
Munir, Guildford
I listened to the cricket between teaching little kids English in Poland. Bless them, they have no idea what I am so worked up about.
David Storey, Bydgoszcz, Poland
This test has been fantastic. It's given me great highs, but has plunged me so low I have sulked. There has been excellent cricket and even better sportsmanship. There has been great team performances and great individual ones. For me the England team epitomises what it means to be English.
Mark S, Manchester, England
What a great series it was, but I find it difficult to be fully gripped by the Ashes as England won by default! Australia may have retained the Ashes if the weather did not cut play short. Test cricket needs some rule changes if it wants to keep progressing as a sport.
Eric Pudaloff, West Sussex
We loved the Ashes series. It's a shame that now future England tests are no longer going to be shown on free to air television it will probably be the last we ever see.
Matt, Norfolk UK
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Cricketers have been too underrated since the beginning
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I really love where this Ashes test has taken the world of cricket. Yesterday it was just another sport which only people with a lot of time in hand watched. Today, people are making time for themselves just to sit in front of the TV and see what in the world is this game everybody's talking about. I have been a cricket fan since birth, and I think cricketers have been too underrated since the beginning. If only people knew how much more interesting a cricket match is than a football game.
Mohsin Qureshi, London
The appeal of cricket is that it is a team game, relying on cooperation and spirit, but that at any point in the game one individual is up against one other - there is no place to hide and so it's a great test of ability and character. It's also a sport that rewards hard work, not just thirty seconds of skill or luck. For these reasons, cricket is a great source of role models - but perhaps more importantly, if properly taught at school, it is the ideal game for fostering such virtues in kids.
Robert Reis, Oxford
The England cricket team have, as always, behaved impeccably, and this is because they genuinely love the game. Many of them learnt their trade on England's county grounds over many years, while football thrusts inexperienced 18-year-olds onto the pitch at national level and watches them self-destruct.
Chris, Cornwall, UK
I feel cricket is a unique sport in itself which is such an individual game and also a very team game. It is a power game as well as an artistic game. It is perhaps the only game where the captain is so important not only in playing capacity but also as a strategist.
Kaushik Basu, Delhi, India
The Tests have shown themselves to be exactly that. The courage, endeavour, character and tenacity of each team have indeed been put to the utmost test. Unlike their footballing counterparts there has been no hiding place, no excuses and no mealy mouthed gutless excuses from the competitors.
Kevin Oakes, London
As a competitive cricketer my self watching this summers ashes and the professionalism with which the players have conducted themselves mirrors that of the English rugby team throughout the 2003 World Cup, which explains our success. Why aren't the football team taking note of this?
Rupert Dransfield, Maida Vale, London
I tried really hard to get into the cricket match today but I was so bored of it after 20 minutes. It left me wondering who (apart from students like me) has time to watch these long-winded matches?
Jonathan Owen, Cannock, England
I think that the English football players can learn a lot from their fellow cricket players. I feel the same for all football players who represent their national sides. Can you imagine a cricketer screaming at an umpire for getting a bad decision?
Colin Shorkend, Los Angeles, Usa
I'm Scottish and not supposed to like cricket. But it's grown on me over the years and now I understand it as a game of subtlety and grace, immensely rewarding to watch although I like football as well. You don't see cricket players cheating and trying to get their opponents into trouble, that's for sure.
Pete Thomson, Aberdeen, Scotland
Cricket and football are two completely different sports that can't be compared, they are in different stratospheres when it comes to money, popularity and coverage. The British population as a whole would pick football over cricket any day of the year. Football is an almost weekly pastime, cricket typifies the other side of British society - fads - comes and goes every year or two. Once cricket flips over to Sky Sports next year, and they lose their next match, cricket will be as newly dormant as another recent British fad, two words - rugby union.
Michael Harper, Derby, UK
Passion without violence, cricket is what football should be and that the boys are performing with, not to mention outperforming the best team in the world is something to be prous of. Call it boring, call it slow, or call it the best game on earth, there are 11 men out there in SE11 that we can be proud of.
Paul Lummis, Hamilton, ON, Canada
I happened to watch only few sessions of the first three test matches. I always rate English crowd as the best in manners though I am not from England. Yes I do believe that cricket displays a lot more inspiring values than football. But at the same time this game too, is losing its values at an alarming rate. I request all the cricketers from all over the world, especially fast bowlers that please be gentelman and respect others no matter how weak they are. Also, at the time when you are not getting success, please do not start shouting and taunting others.
Rashid, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Cricketers seem to feel it is about the game first, winning second
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I'm a big cricket fan, always have been but I am at work today and keeping an eye on the score by having the BBC scorecard in my taskbar. Not sure about letting us have time off to watch the cricket, people who don't really like it would use it as an excuse. To me cricketers seem to feel it is about the game first, winning second, whereas the amount of money paid to footballers is obscene and makes them feel they are above the rules that apply to most other people.
Janet, Pontefract
Looking at the temperament and attitude of the players in action on the field, I would say the cricketers display the inspiring values in comparison with the footballers.
Prakash Mundackal, Bristol, UK
Cricket (yawn) or football (dull), the "stars" are all overrated and overpaid. Rugby league for me. Now that is a game full of British values.
Chris Garforth, Brighouse
I love both cricket and football and attend both regularly. Cricket is great to sit down all day on a nice day and relax and enjoy the game, however while watching football it's a chance to let off steam, and have a shout and a sing, that is the differences between the two, always has been, always will be, and I love them both for exactly this reason, now as for rugby, I'd rather watch paint dry.
Andy, Birmingham
I watched the last match and found it totally riveting. I spent most of my time listening to the radio and it was better than the TV. The best thing about it is that its still played in good sportsmanship. Even when someone gets hit they still look back and smile or smirk but it's all about a good clean game, better than football.
Verity, Hong Kong
This year the England cricket team have shown a real pride in playing well and playing to win. The football team have shown themselves to be overpaid spoilt little boys who are only interested in their clubs and the money they earn.
Stuart Singleton-White, Reading
There was a time when putting on an England shirt was done with great pride. Now all we seem to have is overpaid underachievers playing football and the cricketers playing with passion and a will to win.
Jane Woodhead, Nottingham
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