The series was also the last to be shown on terrestrial television in this country and, for many people, it might be their last chance of ever seeing live test match cricket.

To those wondering what had happened to the England cricket team since that Ashes victory then, frankly, they've been rubbish.

When the clocks go forward next Sunday, British Summer Time starts and the countdown to the Ashes begins.

But according to the Government, test match cricket is a 'B-list event'.

In 1998, an A-list and a B-list were created, outlining what sporting events must be shown on terrestrial television.

Anything on the A-list, including the Olympics and football's World Cup, had to be shown terrestrially but anything on the B-list, including England tests and Six Nations rugby, did not.

In January, the Government decided it was time to review its list to reflect changing tastes.

Football and the Olympics dominate the A-list but they are not the be all and end all of sport in this country.

Any English sporting team should be accessible to standard licence fee payers.

Straight after the 2005 Ashes win, surely cricketing tastes had changed enough to warrant an immediate promotion to the A-list to keep it on terrestrial television?

Although this summer's Ashes will be on Sky, an England victory could hopefully force the Government's hand into promoting cricket onto the A-list and back onto terrestrial television.

Sky's investment has been fantastic for the sport, but the Ashes is one of those A-list events that should be accessible to all.