The English team has done it! Who could have thought when they lost the first test comprehensively; they would comeback and reclaim the Ashes after nearly two decades of undisputed Aussie dominance? Nevertheless, they have finally done it and I dare say in the process laid the edifice of what could be a New World Order in Cricket.

The history of sport is replete with examples of teams that have set the benchmark, teams that have dominated all others, and teams that have conquered everything and created an aura that has led many to believe that they were indeed invincible. Yet, it is also a fact that the strongest of rulers, the mightiest of powers and the greatest of empires have had to fall, to meet the dust like the mere mortals, because invincible is nothing.

Cricket too is witnessing the fall of a super power, the decline of a team that through its success, ruthlessness and sheer brilliance had conquered the world and earned the tag of world champions. In a game known for its glorious uncertainties, the Aussies had made success a certainty; they had a winning streak of 16 test matches in a row, a performance that remains unparalleled. Moreover, in the period leading from November 1999- September 2005, they lost only a single test series and in the same period enjoyed a success rate of nearly 80 percent.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that for these six years, the Australians owned world cricket and ruled it as the king might rule his kingdom with authority. However, it seems that the sun is finally setting on this great kingdom and even as it sets on one, it is rising for another. The world order in cricket stands on the brink of a turnaround. It may take time, but, it is imminent and the team at the center of this changing power equation is England.

Over the years, English cricket had been a tale of "nearly there." Every now and then, it promised the world, only to wilt under expectations. They made it to three world cup finals only to lose the three; they won in adverse conditions only to lose when the real test -- The Ashes came around.

This time too, it appeared the same script was going to be re written as England were beaten hands down in the first test at Lords. Only, someone forgot to read out the script to the English cricketers and what followed was the stuff legends are made of. In one of the greatest cricket series of all time, where both teams refused to concede an inch and emotions went berserk, the champion bowed before a rampaging challenger.

However, just as One Swallow does not make a summer, one win does not make a champion. Hence, one is forced to ask the question- is this performance merely a flash in the pan or is it really a sign of greater things? Honestly, I do not know, yet, I do know that this English team is all set to move up the ladder and I have reasons for that.

My faith in this English team is based on not one or two but several reasons. The most important among those is the emergence of Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff, the huge all rounder from Lancashire. Flintoff is a match winner, and is fast becoming the man of crisis for England. He scores runs, picks wickets, takes catches and most importantly does all of that when it really matters.

The Ashes was a manifestation of his importance to the team. He was the man who scored vital runs in the second test that England won to square the series, and he was the one who picked up 4 crucial wickets to halt the Australian chase in the drawn third test. Without these performances, the result of the series could have been a different one. If "Freddie" could continue in the same manner, he can take England to unfathomable heights.

Another reason for my optimism is the English bowling attack. All great cricket teams had one thing in common; they had a potent bowling attack, capable of unsettling the opposition batsmen. The West Indian side of the early 80s and the current Australian side built their invincibility on the back of great bowlers such as Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Shane Warne and others. In my humble opinion, the English bowling attack is arguably the best going around and I am sure the Aussie batsmen too would affirm my view. They just could not come to terms with the reverse swinging missiles that were hurled at them at over 90 miles an hour. What’s more, if that was not enough, the English bowlers’ ability to extract extra pace and bounce, left the Aussies dressing their wounds. Now, only if England can find a genuine match-winning spinner, there would be no stopping them. As it is, they seem unstoppable.

Besides, a good bowling attack, a team striving for greatness must also have a strong batting line up. While, there are a couple of gray areas in this department, the overall picture looks more than hopeful. It is often said that a good start is half the battle won. In cricket, that is exactly what the openers try to do for their team and in this department, England is well served by the pair of Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss. A good settled opening pair is something of a rarity in Test cricket these days and teams that are lucky to have one usually taste more success than those lacking one.

Once again, I recommend checking out the role that the opening pair played in the success of the present Australian side or the invincible West Indian side of the 1980s. Yet, it is critical that the rest of the batsmen build on the foundation laid by the openers. England is lucky that in the form of skipper Michael Vaughan and the hard-hitting Pietersent and Flintoff they have batsmen who can consolidate as well as counter attack depending upon the situation. A luxury indeed!

Finally, the most important thing that England has on its side is youth, something that cannot be said of the current world champions, Australia. With youth on its side, England can look with hope and expectation towards the future, while the Australians are left gazing hard into a future full of uncertainty, what with some of their greatest stars approaching the sunset of their illustrious carriers.

Stalwarts of Australian Cricket like Glenn Mc Grath, Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist are now into the mid thirties and only a season or two away from their swan songs. To make matters worse, there seems to be no replacement for these legends and to me that is a clear signal of decline and the eventual end of the Aussie dominance.

On the other hand, this also signals the uprising of a new super power, the beginning of an era and perhaps most importantly the beginning of a new order, the order of English cricket, the order of the "nearly there" team, which has finally made it!