Day four: I do not believe this

I firmly believe that there is nothing more exhilirating in sport than a good game of Test cricket. This game at Edgbaston was one of the best. England by two runs.

I put this alongside the two Tests I consider the two best that I have seen in the past: the 1977 Centenary Test at the MCG, and the 1993 Test at the Adelaide Oval when the West Indies beat Australia by one run.

It's just amazing that Australia got so close. They started the day needing 107 to win, England wanted just two balls to finish the game. Shane Warne batted intelligently, but when he trod on his stumps it looked like it was all over. Brett Lee, never a mug with the bat, put in the most mature performance I have seen from him, especially after he got struck on the glove.

I think I'm convinced now about Flintoff's brilliance. The series is 1-1 (halfway to my prediction of 2-2), and Old Trafford starts on Thursday. Hey, we've got a series on our hands!

I'll review the press and blog reaction a bit later (after I calm down), but my Midwinter-Midwinters for a shortened Day Four are: 2 pts - Brett Lee, 1 pt - Michael Kasprowicz.