WE ARE the top Test cricket nation!

Congratulations to all concerned. Not just to the players but to those behind them.

This is the realisation of ECB chairman Giles Clarke’s dream. He and ECB chief executive David Collier have put the right people in charge behind the scenes and the players have done the rest. Hugh Morris, as director of team England, deserves special praise.

Some of you will think India were rather poor. They certainly were, but remember last winter we thrashed Australia down under. We are now beating everybody.

Perhaps Len Hutton’s team in Australia 1955-56 retaining the Ashes there were marginally better, but our current XI are good for a couple of years at least and I think will eventually outshine them.

It is not so good for Gloucestershire. Two successive championship defeats against Surrey and Derbyshire have set us back in the promotion race but there is still a chance. Essex, at Colchester, is now a must-win game.

I would make two changes in the championship side. Hamish Marshall is in a poor run of form, as is bowler Ian Saxelby. I would omit both and play Jack Taylor and James Fuller.

There was a day out for both team and supporters on Sunday. The Unicorns chose the pleasant Exmouth ground to host their CB40 match against us.

It was a pleasant seaside atmosphere and at last O’Brien was sensibly used. Gloucestershire forged ahead during the power play. They stayed there with captain Alex scoring a well-deserved century and Hamish finally getting some runs.

Mrs Light and I did not go. Instead, in between Penny’s cheerful ecclesiastical duties, we attended the Reg Tugwell memorial day in Cirencester Park. I was one of only two people there who had played against Reg, most were players he had coached in the 1980s. It was pleasant to meet Richard Tugwell, Reg’s son.

We spoke about forgotten cricket grounds - Edgeworth, Daglingworth, Stratton, Sap-perton and especially the Abbey Grounds. What a cricket ground that must have been - what an experience it must have been playing in the heart of Cirencester. The Abbey estate played there before the war - can any reader remember this happening?

With the seasons overlapping, there has been the chance to watch some football. The game on Friday evening (Forest Green v Stockport County) was an outstanding occasion.

Reece Styche led the line with panache and purpose, scoring FGR’s only goal. Matt Bulman, played in goal for the Rovers and certainly kicked well.

Gloucestershire have announced the death of former president Jim Horne. Jim, from Moreton-in-Marsh, served the club as council member, member of the management committee and finally president.

Living where he did, Worcestershire and Warwick-shire County Clubs were much closer, but he was superbly loyal to his native county, frequently making round trips to Bristol, not just to cricket, but to so many meetings. Jim missed the Cheltenham Festival, and so many of us missed him. He had graced the college ground for so many years. He leaves a gap.

Do you agree with John? Have your say below.