What is it about these Ashes Test matches?
As I left the hotel in Cardiff on Sunday morning I joked to some of my colleagues that what the series needed was England's last pair hanging on for a dramatic draw. No straightforward saving of the game I said, because who would remember that?
The last pair scenario certainly didn't look at all possible for most of the day as wickets fell with regularity, but thanks to a heroic innings from Paul Collingwood and the desperate efforts of James Anderson and Monty Panesar England somehow held on to give Cardiff the memorable debut Test match they must have dreamed off.
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While the Ashes series has been getting underway in Cardiff, England's women have been preparing for their own one-off Test against Australia starting at New Road on Friday.
Retaining the women's Ashes would cap off a remarkable five months after Charlotte Edwards' side were crowned world champions in both the 50 and 20-over form of the game.
The relevance of Test cricket in the women's game though has waned in the last few years as England and Australia are the only countries to play the four-day format.
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With the 2009 Ashes almost upon us we are all wondering what great moments of cricket history are going to be created over the next seven weeks.
Cricket's greatest rivalry always seems to bring about something special - and if you'd like to relive some of those magical moments well now you can with the launch of the "Test Match Special Ashes Archive."
If you log onto www.bbc.co.uk/ashesarchive you can find moments stretching back to the infamous Bodyline tour of 1932/33. As well as great commentary the archive will also include some classic TMS moments from Arlott to Aggers as well as memories from the current Test Match Special team.
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