Barney Ronay on Chris Woakes
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Brendon McCullum is talking now, saying how pleased he is. “Incredible,” he says. “Remarkable. I don’t want it to end, I just want to go round again, it’s been an incredible ride.”
He praises serval players including England’s player of the series. “The series that Woakesy had was quite remarkable – the wickets he took today, hitting the winning runs at Headingley.”
Right on cue, the cameras find Chris Woakes holding up a fan’s phone. “Taking a BeReal,” says an authoritative voice on my sofa.
Time for me to sign off. It’s been a thrilling finish to an epic drama – the series with everything except a result in Manchester. So 2-2 it is. Which, as everyone keeps saying, is a fair reflection. And also, as they haven’t been saying, a crying shame.
Still, it’s been spectacular entertainment. England started shakily, rustily, and sharpened up their act. Australia started sharply and then wilted in the face of Wood and Woakes. Whatever was happening, the stories just kept on coming. As the credits roll, look out for the names of the scriptwriters – they surely include Stuart Broad.
To Australia, the Ashes; to Broad, the headlines. He’s in the crowd now, holding a bottle of champagne.
From the whole OBO team, a big thank-you for your company, correspondence, good humour and sheer love of the game. That, as ever, is the bottom line.
Hang on, here’s one last email. “Reading Peter Gibbs’ email,” says Phil Sawyer, “I’m a bit choked up. I too lost Mum unexpectedly six months ago, again no condolences needed.” Sorry to hear it all the same. “But she would have been first on the phone as well after this. Glass raised to both of our mums tonight.”
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