The Ashes England's test of character

For the first time in 24 years, the England cricket team will return from a tour of Australia still in possession of the Ashes. A win or a draw in the fifth and final Test in Sydney will ensure that they win the series as well – as they deserve to, after outplaying their opponents in every match except one. As David Cameron said yesterday, it is a welcome late Christmas present for the English supporters, and a testament to the preparedness and fitness of the team.

With the urn safe for another two years, England’s emphatic victory in Melbourne showed why it is now more an expectation than a hope that they can achieve the ultimate prize of actually winning an Ashes series in Australia by avoiding defeat in the last Test.

Without them, Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett would not have been able to perform at the war footing they did and ensure England did not suffer the loss of Stuart Broad and Steve Finn, the attacks enforcer and leading wicket-taker respectively.

After the humiliating 5-0 defeat inflicted on England the last time they toured Australia, this retention of the urn is sweet indeed – even if the opposition is no longer as formidable as it once was. It was a wonderful day, as well, for England's extraordinary band of travelling supporters, who have followed the team through thick and thin (with rather more of the latter than the former, as Jim White points out opposite). Even if the antics of the hard-core fans, known as the Barmy Army, divide opinion, at least they guaranteed a proper celebration – one we hope will be repeated in Sydney.

The Ashes 2010: A message from the International Cricket Council ICC

Kevin Pietersen says, "England will cope with Mitchell Johnson's swing".

"I haven't seen or heard anything different to anything that's happened in the first two Test matches let alone last year in England. There's not really any big chirpers or big sledgers. It's just England versus Australia, it's an Ashes series. Blokes get a bit of red mist occasionally. It's historic, it's huge, but there's nothing that's been overboard and if things go overboard, match referees deal with stuff like that".

According to the David Hopps report, Dependable Tim Bresnan to lead England fightback.

Mike Selvey on Mitch: "Hurricane Johnson may already have blown his worst. Without the wind to assist him at the MCG, Mitchell Johnson may not pose the threat to England that he did in Perth"

Now the reports Andy Wilson: "MCG pitch won't be like Perth, say English groundsmen."

A message for the International Cricket Council ICC, the Chris Hurst collective communication manager has been in touch with the couple of judgment that you may like: Use this predictor to work out how the Test rankings will be affected by this series (and the one going on in South Africa). I'm presuming that it will continue to work for future series too.

Look at the voting options, the team of England there are few excellent players but they players are moving to the precious England team.

Swann To Face Drink Drive Trial

Ashes hero Graeme Swann's failed to thrown out the drink-drive charge- just hours after bowling England to victory against Australia - allegation out of the court.

Swann lawyer tried a lot to dismissed the case on legal technicalities but a judge ruled that it should go ahead.

District Judge Julia Newton said: "There is a case to answer, in my view."

The case was adjourned for a two-day trial in February, which Swann is due to attend.