The just concluded England-Australia Ashes test match at Trent Bridge contained all the ingredients of a classic Hollywood thriller with the pendulum continuously swinging either way.England were much the better team on paper but the great Australian resilience almost pulled off one of cricket's most improbable victories.At junctures where all seemed lost the Kangaroos came back spectacularly.The Aussies reminded one of a military batallion facing imminent defeat and coming back against all odds.In the end in terms of class an 80 run winning margin may have been appropriate for England but the narrow victory margin of 14 runs was a testimony of the never say die attitude of the Aussies.Inspite of chasing a daunting 311 run target at stages the Aussies almost seemed on course.At 85-0 ,111-1 and 160-3 and finally 291-9 the target was attainable.The composure the early order showed was remarkable.

The Australians were mentally stronger than England in this game.England were not able to deliver the knock-out punch after having the Aussies at 117-9 in the 1st innings and 161-6 in the 2nd.What won it for England was the Ian Bell-Stuart Broad 138 run 2nd innings partnership and the fierce determination of James Anderson.Ian Bell played a great innings in the circumstances while Stuart Broad contributed with the bat and took some crucial 2nd innings wickets like that of Michael Clarke.Infact with England at 163-5 and 218-6 in the 2nd innings the game was tilted in favour of the Aussies.

To me this was one of the best Ashes test matches ever .However it was marred by Stuart Broad's unsportsmanship not to walk when he was clearly out.There were also some erroneous umpiring decisions by the 4th umpire like that of Trott in the 1st innings or even Ashton Agar being given not out .Stuart Broad's injury in the 1st innings may well have made a lot of difference.

Overall to me the Aussies displayed the brittleness in their middle order where England consolidated.Infact it was only the tail wagging that got the Aussies so close.However I feel the English attack relied too much on James Anderson with both Finn and Swann unable to deliver the crucial breakthroughs.

The most turning points in the game were the wicket of Michael Clarke in the 2nd innings,the wicket of Brad Haddin in the 2nd innings and the Bell -Broad 2nd innings partnership.

This game proves that test cricket is the ultimate game above anything.Considering they were the underdogs the Aussies were the moral winners.

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At full strength, Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan would be expected to lead the pace attack.  That leaves selection for the third seamer wide open.  Between Wahab Riaz and Asad Ali, who would you go with?

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After yesterday's convincing win, what changes (if any) would you make to the playing XI for the 2nd ODI?

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All-rounder hits 76 off 55 balls before taking seven wickets as West Indies lost by 126 runs

Misbah today has broken the record for the batsman with most half centuries without making an ODI century. Sign of a batsmen in good form or a problem of being unable to play a complete innings?

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Shahid Afridi has scored an amazing 62% of his runs in ODIs in boundaries! Does any other batsmen come close to Afridi in such entertainment?

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Pakistan with another poor batting start at 23/4

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Stuart Broad has been cleared of breaching the spirit of cricket when he refused to walk on Friday by one of the International Cricket Council's seven-man panel of elite match referees – his father Chris Broad. Conflict of interest?

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TBH, I expected this Ashes series to be far more one sided, in favour of England, than it is now. I am very surprised by the progress made by the Aussies. Your thoughts?

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It's a decision in itself when to use the Decision Review System (DRS) and when not to.  With that said, which captains make the most of the Decision Review System (DRS), ensuring that reviews are not wasted?

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