England, August 30: No parade to Trafalgar Square. No reception at No 10. No triumphalism. MBEs still not known but unlikely to be doled out willy nilly. Spot the difference: the Ashes 2009 compared to the Ashes 2005.
Four years ago, England made all the right noises about building on their grand victory against Australia but it came to nought. There were several factors – injury, illness, selection, a feeling of mission accomplished – but in effect the legacy was urinated up the wall of London watering holes on the evening and early morning of 12 September.
It will not be happening this time. The morning after the night before, Andy Flower, the team’s coach, went for a run along the Thames and a couple of hours later, reflecting on the Ashes win, used the immortal phrase: “It’s gone OK, but we don’t want to go overboard.”
–Agencies