We’re just hours away from the start of the series and I’m nervous. I’ve gone from being supremely confident that England would return home with the Ashes to being a gibbering nervous wreck in the space of 24 hours.

I try to take my mind off things and stop watching the clock and thinking about cricket but I can’t help myself. I’ve just spent some time looking around the blogosphere to find some suggestions on how to keep myself awake for 120 hours. The excellent King Cricket site suggests drinking tea. That might be a better alternative to popping Pro Plus and Red Bull. Less chance of hallucinating. Did I tell you about the time I started hallucinating after a heavy vodka and Red Bull session? No? Remind me to tell you when the series has finished…

It sees that Matt over at Six and Out is suffering from the same bladder retention issues that I am.

This is getting ridiculous. We’re all grown men, for crying out loud! It’s only a game of cricket. That’s all. It’s not important.

Oh crap. Who am I trying to kid?

Tags : Cricket, The Ashes, England, Australia, First Test