Ashes, England and Indonesia

I do not know how many Indonesians have been paying attention to the just concluded Ashes Test cricket series between England and Australia but those who have will have witnessed a truly marvelous sporting spectacle.

It's not because I am an Englishman and England have won that I am saying this, I would have settled for a drawn series, which would have allowed the Aussies to retain the Ashes. The level of competition and the general spirit in which it has been played have been uplifting and it has been a privilege to watch the wonderful Aussie bowler Shane Warne in action.

Warne is in the pantheon of sporting greats like Indonesia's badminton star Rudy Hartono, Lance Armstrong and the West Indian cricketer Gary Sobers.

A team representing Indonesia is at an international tournament for the first time. Development cricket is underway in this country and it is to be hoped that young Indonesians will catch the fever of the game. There is no reason why a team of young Indonesians cannot progress and do well. After all, there is little to choose in physique between Indonesians and the talented Sri Lankans. Bring them on!

DAVID JARDINE, Carlisle, UK