Windies down, Aussies to go!

It's no surprise that Ricky 'Gary Pratt running me out was unfair' Ponting has started his pre-Ashes mind games. Targeting Andrew Strauss and repeatedly referring to the Aussies as a 'better side' might trouble some of the newer players in the England side but hopefully most of the England boys know better and can focus on their own game.

There were many positive to take from the series against the West Indies, and obviously some areas for the ECB to look at more closely.

You can only feel for Durham, who were unable to lower ticket prices despite low demand and could do nothing to control the miserable weather (which was fabulous oop north in April). It's disappointing to see such low turnouts, especially when there is a sizable population in the north east who could have gone to watch. The only reason for such low turnouts, which affected Lord's as well, is the ludicrous cost of tickets. Administrators harp on about the low cost of the cheapest tickets, but they seem to be judging by last season's standards rather than looking at the real situation facing cricket supporters. If people are willing to spend the cost of a short holiday abroad to buy a couple of tickets for Ashes matches later in the summer, they have no chance of buying tickets for the early season freeze-fests too.

I am almost ashamed to say it, but I actually breathed a sigh of relief when England finished off the West Indies at Lord's on the Friday night because it saved me a good £80 for Saturday's ticket (£40), transport, food and drink costs. That has made me slightly less worried about the four £60 tickets I bought for Headingley in a moment of weakness!

Ravi Bopara showed himself off as a class batsman, along with Alistair Cook who finally got past his blip of not converting 50s into 100s. Stuart Broad was rewarded for his tenacity in the Caribbean and Anderson finally became the strike bowler he deserves to be. There is really no need to mention Graeme Swann's cemented position as England's top spinner. Onions slotted in nicely and although Bresnan did not star in his two tests, England still line up a solid looking side.

No, we have not got Jones, Hoggard, Harmison or (probably) Flintoff like we did in 2005. But repeating that fact is not going to change it.

In fact, I agree wholeheartedly with Boycott (this is worryingly starting to happen more and more!) who thinks England should be confident that they can compete with the Aussies, but not get carried away with high expectations.