Nice way to wrap up

Post-match presentation ceremonies can be painful, so I'm glad to report that the one that followed the fourth Ashes test was an outstanding one. Atherton asked some sensible questions of both captains (he was a bit relentless with Strauss), and both Strauss and Ponting played their roles perfectly: the former the contrite, yet determined to make good, loser, the latter, the gracious and confident victor (declining to acknowledge the Western Terrace was a good move!). And then North wrapped up things with a pointed and sensible emphasis on "patience."

So thats 1-1. All to play for, as they say, at the Oval. One can only hope that a competitive English side shows up. This performance was ludicrous; the indisciplined, incompetent batting and bowling on display did not do them any credit. But for the lower-order shenanigans on the third day, the margin of defeat would have been worse than the already-heavy innings and 80 runs.