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The First Test is over and once again the Ashes has provided an epic Test match that the country has grown to know and love. The nail biting escape came largely from the sheer guts and determination of Paul Collingwood wearing his adidas twenty2YDS Lite III, James Anderson and Monty Panesar.

The last wicket saviours survived 69 balls to clinch the vital draw in Cardiff and leave the Oz skipper Ricky Ponting thinking what could and probably should have been.

The England captain was quick to praise the unlikely heroes 'There was a huge amount of relief and pride in the dressing room after how we saved it thanks to the likes of Paul Collingwood, Monty and Jimmy. It was horrible to watch and, as a batsman, having to watch your No 10 and No 11 do your job for you, isn't a place you want to be. All credit to them, they withheld so much pressure.'

The Three Lions were set the task of batting all day to save a game in which we had under performed yet did so brilliantly to reach a final score of 252-9, a slender lead of just 13, as Collingwood led the way with a valiant 74.

After being 20-2 overnight and then losing three quick wickets in 90 minutes it looked pretty certain that we were on our way to Lords being one nil down and with a mountain to climb to level the series. Up steps the ginger ninja of Collingwood who batted a mammoth 5 hours and 43 minutes facing a staggering 245 balls before falling at 74.

With his wicket gone, we were staring defeat in the face at the country’s newest Test arena. However as time moved on, amid scenes of tension and with every dot ball roared by the capacity crowd, James Anderson by his Trion Z wrist band and Monty Panesar kept the Australian attack at bay.

This was a sensational day's cricket. It was England who were on the other end of a 10th-wicket partnership when Fidel Edwards and Daren Powell clung on for 10 overs in Antigua in February to save the West Indies. England's emotions turned 180 degrees last night.

And then, of course, there was the final day at Old Trafford in 2005 when Australia's last-wicket duo of Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath survived. The Aussies celebrated that draw like a win.

How the tide has now changed and it will be the Aussies going to the home of cricket deflated and despondent to once again do battle for the most prized possession in world cricket.

For now England are left with a short break to rally the troops and at Lords the whole country expects our boys to come out fighting like Lions and regain the sacred urn.