1989: Exit Gower stage left On the third evening, David Gower made himself a hostage to the headline writers. England were 58 for 3, 184 behind, and the England captain stormed out of a press conference to go to the theatre to see "Anything Goes" Everything, of course, went. Although Gower scored a hundred, his seventh against Australia, England were well beaten by Terry Alderman's swing. Allan Border became the first Aussie captain to win twice at Lord's, a young hitherto under-achiever called Steve Waugh took his undefeated series aggregate to 350, Australia took a 2-0 lead and the dark years began. 1993: Slater's kiss In mid-afternoon a swashbuckling 23-year-old right-hander in his second Test reached his maiden Test century Michael Slater's delight was instant and instinctive. He beamed, did a little jig, removed his helmet and kissed the Australian badge.

Badge kissing is tedious now, but Slater (left) was the first and was utterly engaging. The way Australia went about their business - the first four would have scored hundreds had Mark Waugh not been too ambitious on 99 - showed that it was not enough just to win but to win resoundingly. Mike Atherton was run out for 99 and never did make a Test hundred at Lord's.. So, at long, long last the most eagerly awaited Ashes series in living memory is upon us. While this has been an extravagantly protracted build-up it is also worth remembering that it has always been like this where this contest is concerned. Every Ashes series is the most eagerly awaited since the last one. Eight years ago, for instance, things got off to an earlier start but the mood was just as pervasive I made my debut in the First Test of that series England won it after beating Australia in the one-dayers.

The mood swept the country. These early exchanges have not been entirely dissimilar. England have whacked them a couple of times in the one-dayers, as they did in 1997. This time, things have probably been heightened because there is a belief around that England can regain the Ashes. They can too, but to do so the side will have to play at 90 to 95 per cent of their ability for 90 to 95 per cent of the time.The middle order of England's batting is what leaps out of the teamsheet. Numbers four and five have played three Tests between them, number six has never played against Australia. It is a selection imbued with risk but we can only know just how risky when they play.I have spoken to Graham Thorpe about this and my view is that it is almost better that they have done it this way. The selectors have been decisive now, rather than changing their mind later on.