Countdown to the Ashes

Well the countdown to the 2010/11 Ashes tour is well underway; the teams are announced, tickets are booked (I'll be the sunburnt Englishman at the Gabba) and bars throughout Australia are bracing themselves for the advance of the Barmy Army.

To whet my appetite as much as yours, here are my top five highlights from last summer's contest.

1. Flintoff runs out Ponting

Who says fielding is dull? Ok so for the most part it is, and the over-analytical introduction from @cricketanalyst doesn't help big it up - but a couple of steps, a clean pickup and then Freddie launches it at the stumps quicker than a rat down a greasy pole.

2. Swann bowls Ponting with a jaffa

There's something wonderfully poetic about seeing Punter trudging off in slow-mo minus any sound. There's something more poetic about the way this delivery from 'Rockstar' Swanney drifts away from the bat in the air then turns a country mile before rearranging the stumps.

3. Ponting takes one on the chin

Before you all get up in arms about me enjoying seeing him leathered in the face, that's not why it's one of my favourite moments. Much. Rather; what a chuffing legend. I mean, let's hope it's taught him to wear a helmet when fielding at stupid mid-off, but seriously, the noise that made. And he hardly flinched. I've seen footballers calling for the last-rites for much less.

4. Freddie Bows Out

So he'll never be lauded by the stattos as a serious achiever, but he'll go down as a true legend of English cricket. We miss you Fred.

5. This shiz just got real

Goodness knows what this chap uses his long lens and HD quality video for the rest of the time, but I'm glad he was at The Oval to capture this moment.

As a postscript, here is the moment when William Blake's Jerusalem was sung after the game.

I have no idea why this should have become the anthem of English Cricket rather than the official song from the 1992 World Cup, "Who Rules The World". Ahem.