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.