Traditional lead up games!

In contrast to 2005 we are seeing some legitimate (first class) tour matches as lead ins to the first Ashes Test - for both squads.

Fantastic to see Lee and Hussey strike form too, Hussey with 150, Lee with 5 wickets and reverse swing galore.

I see Harmisson troubled Hughes in that first innings with some accurate short pitches stuff. He immediately piped up in the press boasting of weaknesses he's spotted. Well I remember - as I sit here watching his first over in the second innings go for 9 thanks to consecutive, that a few South Africans, of significantly better fast bowling calibre than "Harmy", thought the same thing a few months back. I can only hope that trend continues...