PM praise for England

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Prime Minister Tony Blair wrote to England cricket captain Michael Vaughan congratulating him and the whole team on a “fantastic series win” after the long-awaited Ashes win.

By bringing back the Ashes after so long, he said the team had “given cricket a huge boost and lit up the whole summer”.

The letter in full read: “Congratulations to you and the whole team on your fantastic series win.

“It’s been sport at its best, played in a wonderful spirit between two exceptional sides and has gripped the whole country.

“With so many people following this extraordinary series, ball by ball, I am not sure our economy could stand many more days like today or our nerves any more excitement.

“But by bringing the Ashes back after so long you have given cricket a huge boost and lit up the whole summer. Congratulations to everyone on an unforgettable series and a fantastic win.”