1 Day to go : The Cold War is almost over

Is it worth a tear, is it worth an hour
To think of things that are well outworn?
- A C Swinburne, The Triumph of Time

All the talk today is of the past. Our 2005 victory, of course. (We have all but eliminated our humiliating 2006/07 Whitewash from the national consciousness). But, whilst the parallel between Brett Lee’s injury and Glenn McGrath’s comic stray ball induced demise four years ago is a fair one, I think in order to regain the urn this summer we must refrain from harking back to that glorious summer and concentrate on constructing new stories, new narratives and embrace that pesky, elusive beast, the present. If not, we are in danger of being blinded by nostalgia. Ironically, our 05 success could act as a millstone around our necks, an Albatross if you like. Some argue that it already has done. Freddie himself conceded this week that the team could have dealt with the fall-out better.

So, let’s address Dickinson's feathered animal – Hope – and consider the potential for a glorious summer. In fact, We Need To Talk About Kevin. There’s no better place to start than our most enigmatic, flamboyant and talented batsman. Some are calling this series an opportunity for KP to achieve “redemption” after the notorious captaincy debacle earlier this year but I think that suggests he has suffered too great a Fall. His average has remained far and away the highest of any of our batsmen since the dark days of January. Shay-ne may have been characteristically hyperbolic when he said that we don’t have a hope of winning the Ashes if Pietersen doesn’t perform but the formerly Skunk-haired batsman is certainly our key run-maker, if not our key player full stop.

The Bowlers' brigade will always assert that it is the bowlers who are the integral figures in any team since you cannot win a Test match without taking 20 wickets but you need some runs to bowl at and Kevin, more than anyone else, looks set to provide them. He is talking down his own importance but we all know he is a master of the disingenuous. KP will try to secure the series on his own and why not?! Our very own Achilles is vulnerable only in mind not in talent. Tragically, whether he is Man of the Series this summer or not, Pietersen is unlikely to ever succeed in his relentless pursuit of adoration. He will probably never be truly loved by the jingoists amongst the Barmy Army who will never see him as British but he will be remembered as one of the sport’s great entertainers and I, for one, will always love him for that. What would we do without cortisone injections?...

Icon of 05 Freddie, despite his latest drink induced faux-pas last week (comically labelled an “alarm clock issue” – only the ECB could conjure up such a euphemism), remains the darling of the fans but we all acknowledge that he has a lot to prove this summer. His injuries have derailed his progress to the extent that he is no longer the leader of our bowling attack. Yet that may actually suit him and ensure he is protected from being over-worked. Until recently we haven’t had the opportunity to utilise him solely as a strike bowler. But the emergence of the pretty boys – the resurrection of Jimbo and the astonishing rise of Westlife will enable us to protect Fred from over upon over of toil. Ultimately, the Flinstone, like Pietersen, is a man for the biggest of occasions and I think he will deliver with the ball, if not consistently with the bat.

Anderson, as the new ring-leader of our attack, will have a decisive impact on the series. He is relishing his new responsibility but it is too early judge if he can overcome the pressure during such a prestigious series. It will be up to the Lord to rotate his bowlers as effectively as possible. With such quality and variety at his disposal, none of his bowlers should be too over-used. Some are tipping Shakespeare to get the nod over Monty because the rain makes assessing the wicket at Swalec Stadium something of a minefield. I like the idea of The Bard benefiting from the Weather – pathetic fallacy at its best…

The Aussies are still reeling from Brett Lee’s absence. There is in-fighting amongst their supporters as they acquaint themselves with the new generation of metrosexual cricketers. Let's rejoice in the maudlin musings of The Baggy Green... Unfortunately, I cannot dwell on their plight too much because I have to make my own preparations for tomorrow. The Seven Sinners need to be fed, ginned and entertained, you see. At the moment, the cupboard is somewhat bare and the hamper needs to be filled. This is a matter of no little urgency. We are a rather thirsty lot. Sorry, Jimmy!...

I am tempted to try and recoup some of my beer money on a wee flutter but the Bookies are being overly patriotic, as ever, and I don’t want to make a prediction at this stage. This is not a moment for fortune-telling. However, I am certain that the ever verbose McGrath will be incorrect again. A Whitewash from either side looks impossible. Both sides are in their infancy and transitional teams are rarely able to execute brutal, wholesale series victories and that can only be good for us, the spectators.

Let us hope that our darling Swann, Dr Comfort, lives up to Warne's prophecy, Brocket becomes a conductor in the mode of legendary Louis Antoine Jullien and Freddie stays sober. Well, sober-ish.

Hold onto your wide-brimmed hats. Tomorrow is going to be The Longest Day's Journey into Night…

Quote of the Day : The Eternal Optimist - 'I had a dream we bowled first and took a few wickets in the morning session. Mont was left out!'