The book’s out

I'm afraid I wasn't able to update the blog yesterday because I was promoting the Ashes book at a lunch hosted by the National Sporting Club in London. The guest speakers were Michael Vaughan and England selector Geoff Miller. As you'll have read in today's papers, Vaughan is hoping to be available for selection for the third Test in Perth, which starts on December 14.

The book was officially published yesterday and got a mention in Charles Sale's Sports Agenda column in the Daily Mail. That was the first piece of media coverage the book has received, but there will be a lot more in the coming weeks.

This afternoon a photographer from my local paper, the Fleet News, is coming to take my picture with the book. I knew I should have had my hair cut.

Quote of the day

"At the moment, England aren't playing as good as they would like but at the end of the day, it's all about how they play during this series. They've got some matchwinners there and I'm sure they'll be looking to entertain and play well." Shane Warne.

Random Ashes fact

There have been 311 Ashes Tests since 1876/77. Australia have won 126 matches and England 97, with 88 draws.

Magic numbers

14 days to go. Colin Cowdrey stands 14th in the list of all-time Ashes run-scorers. He made 2,433 at 34.26 from 43 Tests. His top score was 113 at Melbourne in December 1962/January 1963.