Confidence is back. Motivation is high. The three lions were caught snoozing in the shade there but we are back on the prowl, and no heat is too fierce. We took the knock. We were down and out. We were the tramp spewing in the gutter. We were in need of some serious grooming and a good scrub. Now we’re the Cock of the North once more.

I’m sure Cook’s wife is not the first wife to tell her husband to stay in his job either, but can’t have done any harm. Sunny Gavaskar has called the Indian team inept and pathetic. Maybe they can make quite a nice living thanks very much back in the IPL, and test cricket is a chore. Despite the money out there, I don’t believe that’s the way they feel. I just know that when the tide turns against you, there is nothing you can do about it.

As I strolled up Harleyford Road past The Beehive, rammed with Cricket Supporters rather than the weekday spooks, I overheard an Indian supporter, “It will be better another day”. And it will. I turned around and smiled at him. Fans, supporters, fighters, lovers, we’ve all been there.

Well done England. Now get back in the nets, and whack the bowling machine up to 97mph. While you are at it, paint a tattoo on the white plastic.

As a follower of the English cricket team, that was one long year! The waiting is over.

VICTORY!

Jocelyn Galsworthy at work.

Panama city.

I took the South Coast train to Hedge End, for the cricket last week. The test match was a massive success. Sure, ticket sales could have been increased but I think the ECB need to take a long hard look in the mirror, and calendar congestion needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Aside from this, Hooray!

Thank you Jimmy – and well done Mo. Maybe even Big Bad Boycs will hand you an endorsement. Don’t hold your breath.

Prior should have hung up his gloves at the end of last season, but we all do it, go chasing that last deal, that last sniff of glory, whatever it may be. Matt P was the real deal but this is a new era. Ballance, Buttler and Ali are the future.

There was not a session we didn’t dominate in the third test, and boy did that feel good after such a desperate winter of discontent.

Well done Captain Cook.