A Test of character

They cannot rest on their laurels for much longer, writes Vic Marks in The Observer. On Saturday, England's Ashes heroes stride out in Multan to undertake their first challenge of a gruelling winter.

The glamour and glitz of the Oval and Trafalgar Square are history now and England, under more intense scrutiny since their triumphant summer, must consolidate their reputations in distant, humdrum surroundings. It will be an interesting test of their commitment.