For the world of cricket, the Ashes

[who oppose England since 1882 to Australia and will run from

July 7 to August 24] will this year be an incidental event. The

rivalry with Australia, however, remains the most valuable asset of

English cricket , the only event that captivates the country's attention. But it may

not last either. Since the Second World War, England

has beaten Australia only occasionally,

usually very little and often in times of trouble (as when the

Australian TV magnate Kerry Packer had hired the entire

Australian first team for the professional circuit he had created on the sidelines of the ICC). It remains to be seen whether England, who won the Ashes

in 2005, will participate in this competition with as

much envy, if L' Aussie - which before 2005 treated more and more

India as its most important rival - will be interested.