5th Test Finale : We have won back the Ashes!

All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.
- T.E. Lawrence @ The Oval

The urn is back home! We have won the Ashes!

I still can't quite believe I am typing this. I am in shock. There are no words to express the elation that I feel. After the first day of this test, I thought that the series was lost but a heroic bowling performance from Broad transformed our chances. It has been magical cricket. All summer, the pendulum of momentum has swung between the sides and we have been unable to relax and enjoy the moment. Now is the time to savour our triumph.

The explosion of colour - the explosion of hope as the Aussie wickets tumbled on Friday - opened up the possibility of victory in the series once again and Vince cemented our winning position yesterday. The horrors of Headingley are forgiven! The frustration of Edgbaston forgotten! The players produced on the ultimate stage.

The final test has defied language. With the end nigh, it has been hard to absorb everything. Today was a beautiful culmination of graft, toil and alchemy.

I will post my views once I have slept on the past four days and Freddied this evening.

Make sure you celebrate tonight. There have been few better days to be a England Cricket Fan.