Nicholas recalls 'desperately sad' Ashes ending

CRICKET Mark Nicholas has bittersweet memories of his role fronting Channel 4's coverage of the 2005 Ashes, his pride in the enduring ‘mythology’ of the series tinged by sadness at the end of the free-to-air era.

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Nicholas was the broadcasting anchor charged with carrying a rapt nation through many of the key moments of a contest that remains seared into the memories of cricket fans.

It is 20 years to the day since the 2-1 series win was clinched at the Oval, and England regained the urn for the first time in 18 years.