The heroics of Collingwood, Anderson and Panasar last Sunday carried England to a memorable draw in the first Ashes Test. However, the overall England performance did not match the quality of Cardiff’s efforts on its debut as test venue.

Those sceptical of the SWALEC Stadium’s ability to host such a prestigious game have had to eat humble pie. The prospect of a test match against Sri Lanka in 2011 is already wetting the appetite of may of the spectators from all parts of Wales and the south west of England who were delighted to see Test cricket without having to travel to Birmingham or London.

The next time that international cricket comes to Cardiff in 2010 more attention needs to be devoted to the “Welshness” of the venue as the home team is England and Wales and the governing body for cricket is the England and Wales Cricket Board. However, for many the ”W’ remains silent.