AUSTRALIAN Doug Ackerly has been an announcer, newspaper journalist, national TV sports reporter and sports show host on Melbourne radio for the past 25 years. In 1985-86, he covered the 'rebel' Australian Cricket tour of South Africa for Cricketer magazine, the Sunday Observer and for radio.

He took time out from his recent visit to Lancashire to watch the Ashes to call into the Evening Telegraph office. Here, he gives an Aussie's insight into the Ashes, and how he views England's hopes and aspirations

IT HAS been 13 years since I was last in Lancashire. Unlucky for some. Mine's a pint of bitter, as I now remind patrons of the White Bull.

It was 1992 and legendary antipodean talent scout, Brendan McArdle, had miscalculated. As a result, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel ended up with a 42 year-old Aussie amateur well beyond what had passed for his best.

But, the likes of your reporter, Jason Kayley, have forgiven me, and I have apologised to other more stubborn former team-mates.

In fact, I had first played cricket in these parts for Rishton third XI when McArdle debuted as a professional in 1980. I wish Brendan were here now.

For I have spent the past month with our mutual friend and former Northcote clubmate, Rodney Hogg. Nothing against Hoggy. The former Australian fast bowler had offered me a free bed on supporters tours with which he was associated for the first three Ashes Tests. And, whilst I knew that the matches were sell-outs, I was hoping the great man could sneak me into a session or two.

Unfortunately, when the odd ticket did fall off the back of a lorry, commercial considerations outweighed 32 years of friendship. I am sure Arthur Daley treated Terry better. By contrast, McArdle would have got us both in to every day's play without tickets!

But, I still had my hotel room, and Channel 4 whose coverage was excellent.

And, what a series it has been, living up to all the hype and the prayers of many of my compatriots who have long recognised an arrogance and complacency in our national team. There have been bad shots and soft dismissals, the decline of Jason Gillespie and some uncharacteristic fielding lapses. Michael Kasprowicz must return, and surely Brad Hodge will replace Katich for Trent Bridge.

By contrast, England are very settled - the way Duncan Fletcher has decreed it must be. For donkey's years, your selectors have handed out caps as if they were knighthoods, and they are now numbered in the 600s. Australia, whose selectors under Trevor Hohns have sparingly made all the right calls, are up to 370-odd. It tells a tale, but it has come to a temporary halt.

Fletcher's stoic defence of "Geraint a'Keeper" is a case in point and has had its occasional but notable rewards late in the last two Tests.

And, let's face it, Adam Gilchrist's contributions at Old Trafford bordered on the embarrassing with bat and gloves.

The men who suffered most from Gilly's case of dropsy were McGrath and Warne. Lord knows what the future holds when they retire.

By contrast, England are riding the crest of a wave. Flintoff has been magnificent; Trescothick consistent; Simon Jones manful with his reverse swing; and Vaughan is back in touch. He is more convincingly upright than the similarly productive Ponting, and a far better captain. Bell was a boy at Lord's; his voice broke late at Edgbaston; and he became a man at Manchester. He fields well, and he's only 23.

I'm sure we all wish Graham Thorpe and his dummy a happy retirement.

But, before you Poms get too carried away, what happens if there's an injury? You can't call up any of the Aussies who largely dominate County cricket. Neither would Australia, with the possible exceptions of Shane Watson and Mike Hussey. And, it's worth noting that Hussey's brother, David, and Jon Moss both have County contracts despite being dropped from the struggling Victorian team last season.

But, the County system is generally better now, with two divisions and four-day games. The academy has borne fruit, and cricket's grassroots are these days more likely, when cut and rolled, to provide a sporting wicket. In 1992, Ossy Immanuel didn't have a junior team. Now, there are three, and they've enjoyed success over the years.

But, again a word of caution. Next year, Test cricket will be on Sky.

There will no longer be free-to-air exposure of the game to the young and impressionable. Short-term financial gain for long-term pain?

I mean, there are effectively only six weeks between football seasons in England compared with four months in Australia. Many kids here boot a soccer ball around government school playgrounds for twelve months a year. And, if they can't readily see Freddie on the box, that's how it will stay.

But, for the moment, cricket is still on the back pages of the national dailes in mid-August. Another good England performance in Nottingham should keep it there. And, success at The Oval may even see the return of the urn.