Dinner jackets were rented, wing-tip collars were starched and bow-ties clipped on but who was that spoiling the moment by drinking cans of lager with dinner at the end of season gala?
Were it one miscreant it might be possible to sniff haughtily over one’s new world chardonnay but as it was the entire Yorkshire team one couldn’t – and probably shouldn’t – make a scene.
A saw fewer popping champagne corks than it did after that Ashes summer – and England’s star players left earlier too - but the annual jamboree was still a fitting end to a long season.
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Last year, their title-winning charge in the final season of the National League competition was trampled by the Ashes bandwagon.
But this year, Essex re-asserted their status as one of the finest one-day teams in county cricket by winning the inaugural Pro40 competition.
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Surrey have an unusually busy press box for a Pro40 fixture, even though it is the last floodlight fixture in London this season.
The odd wag has been observing the finer points of the game against Gloucestershire in a loud voice but of course most people are still digesting the implications of the Ashes announcement.
Although there were no major shocks, what talk there has been has revolved around Stuart Broad.
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No big surprises there, then. Perhaps the biggest was the news that 14 players, rather than the five suggested, will take up residence in Perth to act as cover.
They will be in place a week before the start of the first Test, probably a good plan with , of which more later.
Here, then, are some quick thoughts on the 16 ().
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On this day exactly a year ago, England clinched a famous Ashes series victory here at The Oval after a lengthy delay for bad light led to a drawn fifth Test.
And again there is a sense of anticlimax at The Oval.
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As Jonathan Agnew has just said on TMS there's always a little bit of sadness when an international cricket summer comes to an end. Although this summer hasn't quite risen to the heights of England's Ashes win last year - there has been plenty of dramas particularly in the last two weeks!
But in case you are already getting cricket withdrawal symptoms, here's a flavour of what's in store.
Tuesday 12th September 1500. Jonathan Agnew live at the Oval to reveal the England squad for the Ashes on Five Live. Head to the Five Live web site to listen live on the day.
You'll hear the first interview with the Ashes capatin - whichever Andrew is chosen !
Climax to the county season. Five Live will have regular updates on the last two weeks of the county season with reporters at all the key matches in the County Championship and Pro 40.
ICC Champions Trophy - Oct/November. TMS cricket will have live commentary on England's matches in the Champions Trophy in India starting with India v England on 15th October. Plus the semi-finals and final will be live, all on Five Live Sports Extra.
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We have the former England all-rounder Dominic Cork with us on Five Live today. In between updates he's been picking his Ashes squad.
Here it is with Dominic's reasons for his choices.
- "He'll be a more attacking captain than Andrew Strauss and will be better under pressure. I fear that Strauss may become a negative captain at difficult times."
Strauss, Trescothick "or Key if Trescothick hasn't fully recovered from his stress-related illness."
Cook, Pietersen, Bell, Collingwood, Read, Geraint Jones, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar, Giles.
Mahmood - "My Lancashire team mate, bowls fast, wicket-taking balls. Will enjoy the fast Aussie wickets."
Anderson - "Another Old Trafford man - has been injury hit, but is back bowling for Burnley and is looking good."
Broad - "A risk to take the young man, but he's a real talent."
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