We must not underestimate the achievement of winning out in Australia. I know I've said it a million times but beating them at home for the first time in 24 years is a big big thing. After the 86/87 Ashes, England had been resoundly thumped by Australia for 18 straight years (ok, that's only 8 actual Tests but it's still a hell of a long time). 2005 was a great year for English cricket and winning The Ashes for the first time since the mid-eighties proved that, but the whitewash in Australia in 2006/07 brought us back down to Earth and it was clear it'd take something (someone) special to win away from home.
For me, Strauss was that someone special. His calm, no nonsense, relaxed but decisive captaincy, and his ability to lead by example (think the last Test and his explosive 60 from 58 balls), no doubt inspired the rest of the team to the greatness we knew they were capable of. And with the self-assured Cook likely to follow, the future, in my humble opinion, is pretty rosey.
The Aussie Open starts tonight which is very good news indeed. I've got a two hour tennis lesson from 8-10, then a couple of hours later I'll be snuggled up in front of my TV with The Fed for company.
I'll keep you blogged...
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