England 1; Australia nil

The first Ashes test has ended, unsurprisingly, with another reviewed umpiring decision. The review went England's way, they won the match by a mere 14 runs, and Australia's quest to regain the famous Urn has got that much harder; Cricinfo reports:

James Anderson led England to victory in the first Investec Test as he took the last four wickets to fall in a steadfast spell of fast bowling on a nerve-shredding final day at Trent Bridge. But Australia took some silencing. A last-wicket stand of 65 between Brad Haddin and James Pattinson took a wonderful match, against expectations, into the afternoon session before Anderson struck for the final time.

Haddin's valiant innings, 71 from 147 balls, deserved better than a dismissal by virtue of DRS. But it was better than an umpire getting it wrong; the system worked. Aleem Dar, the on-field umpire, understandably did not spot an inside edge about which only the wicketkeeper, Matt Prior, seemed convinced but England had two reviews in the tank and replays clearly proved Haddin nicked it.

England raced into a jubilant huddle, a capacity crowd cheered with delight and Haddin, his helmet removed, looked pale with exhaustion and regret.

The importance of Anderson to England was doubly emphasised when he finally took a break. At that stage, Australia still needed 64 but, with Anderson withdrawn, the last pair immediately sensed they could hit their way to victory. Haddin, strong on the slog-sweep, was dropped at deep square leg by Steven Finn on 64, Graeme Swann's premature visions of victory banished.

England were so shaken they ended the session with a shameless display of timewasting - Stuart Broad to the fore, under his captain's instructions, with needless boot repairs. The umpires made them have another over anyway.

Much is made of Anderson's skill, but it was his stamina that was also to the fore as he produced a gruelling spell of 13 overs off the reel and was then asked for 11 more deliveries after lunch. Anderson was entrusted first with the old ball, then dismissed Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle with the new. He has bowled 55.5 overs in the match, taking ten for 158 in the process, and passed Fred Trueman in England's all-time list during the game. 

This was a terrific test match. After 14 wickets fell on the first day, only a brave punter would have bet on the match going into the fifth afternoon. It produced heroes in Anderson and Ian Bell, it produced a villain in Stuart Broad, and a new star was born in Ashton Agar.

It has also set the foundation for a pulsating Ashes series. Australia will have to play aggressive, positive cricket from here on in, and that is the style that suits them best. On the other hand, England's favouritism to retain the Ashes has firmed as the teams move on to Lord's.

And James Anderson has confirmed his place as the best swing bowler in the game at the moment. He may not have the pace of a Dale Steyn, but he is a match-winner for England, and a class act.

We'll be banking sleep over the next three nights before the second test starts at the home of cricket on Thursday night (NZ time). This is test cricket at its finest.