WE WON, WE WON, WE WON!!!!

England have beaten Australia in an Ashes series for the first time since 1987 - 18 long, embarrassing and difficult years and 29 days.

Of course, we couldn't do it the easy way. Oh no! We had to faff around, lose a few wickets, give us all a few heart attacks! Fortunately, Kevin Pieterson came in to steady the helm and nerves, and at just the right time scored his first test century of the series - what a time to do it. He was eventually out for 158, but by that time the match had been drawn and the series won by England. Ashley Giles put another 50 runs on the board, before the tailenders hung around and frustrated the Aussie bowlers for a few overs.

Over the past decade, Australia have assumed the mantle of number one, and this particular squad and team have been particularly good. We may have seen the last of some of those players - Shane Warne, the best spinner I've ever seen, Glen McGrath, one of the most accurate and hostile seamers of the recent game, its possible that Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden, along with Adam Gilchrist, the wicketkeeper.

Ricky Ponting, the Australian Captain is probably going to retire. As the first captain to lose the Ashes for 17 years, I don't envy his return to his homeland.

However, from what I've seen, there are some good players coming through, so in 2 years time, when the Ashes will be played for again, it should be a battle royale.

One thing all the Australians can take with them is the knowledge that they played in probably the finest and most exciting series ever. Everyone has been kept on the edge of their seats and England won the series by not much more than a whisker.

The series has brought me a lot of pleasure and stress to follow, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Well done both teams for a great series and congratulations England for a magnificent win. Now we've got to keep the Ashes - see you in Australia in 2 years time!