This time tomorrow, I'll be racing to the Gabba from the airport at breakneck speed trying to get into my seat for the 1st ball of the 2006-7 Ashes series.

My flight arrives at 8.55am & we have to drop our bags off at a mate's place where I'm staying, & then head straight to the Gabba.  It's going to be tight!

The hype is getting ridiculous here, with Channel 9 running a 2hr show last night called Ashes to Ashes.  It was basically a series of on-stage interviews with loads of Aussie & England cricket legends and current players.  Some of the illustrious names included Ponting, Vaughan, Tufnell, Langer, Hayden, Strauss, Pietersen, Botham, Boon, Lawrie, Greig, David Lloyd, Benaud, Tommo, Atherton, Boycott, Healey, Ian Chappell......not a bad line up!

Some of it was a bit cringe worthy but with that many current & former stars in one place, it couldn't really go wrong.  David's Lloyd's re-creation of the moment Tommo smacked him in the nuts was a classic.

Well I had better try to get on with some work, but it's proving extremely difficult to concentrate, with thoughts inevitably drifting towards the events of the next 5 days......

Who will win the toss?  Can England stay with the Aussies for the first couple of days?  Is Freddy really fully fit?  Will Monty play?  Can KP dominate again like 2005?  Is Warne going to be better than last time (surely not!)?  Will England's long tail cost them the Ashes? Can Freddy handle the added pressure of captaincy? Can McGrath really perform at his age!? Will I melt for 5 days in the QLD sun?  Can I survive 5 days drinking with the Barmy Army?  Will the Aussie Fanatics give the Barmy Army a run for their money in the singing stakes?

How will I sleep tonight!

COME ON ENGLAND!