IN the end it was almost an anti-climax. Until mid-afternoon on its final day the sensational series which had gripped the nation offered the tantalising prospect of the heart-stopping finale it deserved.

The man who changed the drama-laden script and settled English nerves was the man they couldn't catch. He can't catch either, but once the Aussies had dropped Kevin Pietersen three times he must have known it was his day.

A South African who turned his back on his native country because of what he saw as apartheid in reverse limiting his chances, he would not be everyone's choice as the man to bring home the Ashes. But what the heck - it's been a long wait.

For anyone to make sporting history it helps to have luck on his side. Ian Bell doesn't have it, but Pietersen does.

Bell was out first ball; Pietersen survived the hat-trick ball only because it narrowly missed his gloves before flying via his shoulder to second slip. Some umpires would have given it out, but Billy Bowden got this one right.

If that wasn't the pivotal moment, the next 40 minutes were decisive. Pietersen was put down on nought and 15, and the third umpire was required to decide that he had scraped home by a gnat's whisker after a risky run to mid-on.

How ironic that the man who missed the easiest chance was Shane Warne. He later removed his rival for Man of the Series, Andrew Flintoff, but by failing to hang on to that chance in front of his face at first slip he had dropped the Ashes.

Regaining those contents of a little urn is not what has enthralled the nation this summer. It has been the combination of sheer quality and drama in the cricket, plus the passion and charisma of the personalities involved.

How much it means to them could be seen in some of Flintoff's manic, eyeball-bulging expressions. He hadn't played in an Ashes Test before, but was so desperate for victory he was prepared to sweat blood. Now all he needs is a few more centuries to rank alongside Ian Botham as England's greatest all-rounder.

If yesterday was a personal anti-climax for Flintoff he would still be able to relish one of English cricket's greatest days, and it was wonderful to see three Durham lads involved.

Gary Pratt had to take a day off from England duties to help Durham to promotion in the totesport League on Sunday, but he was back in the limelight yesterday, assisting the physio when Pietersen got one in the ribs and twice carrying out bats to replace the century-maker's broken ones.

Paul Collingwood made only seven and ten in his third Test, which probably means he'll have to wait for an injury again to give him another chance. But he got a poor decision in the first innings and did an invaluable job surviving 50 balls when the situation was still very tense yesterday. And like Steve Harmison, who was not at his brilliant best in the match, he will always be able to say: "I was there."

After taking nine wickets in the opening defeat at Lord's, when his pace and aggression on the first morning lit the blue touch paper on the series, Harmison's figures have been disappointing. But he has still played a key part, summoning something from the depths of his being at crucial moments, as with the match-winning ball at Edgbaston.

So, after the Ashes, next for the World Cup. It's in the West Indies in 18 months, and with Simon Jones replacing Bell in yesterday's line-up anything should be possible.