He hoped ordinary Italians would take away his ashes and mix them with the earth of the motherland, and that from them gardens might grow that would symbolise a new and better Italy.

BBC: Garibaldi: Is his body still in its tomb?

He tried determinedly and deliberately to talk down the Ashes, now 63 days away in terms of the calendar but, importantly, just 10 playing days away as far as his team is concerned.

BBC: Jonathan Agnew column

But, one win away from reclaiming the Ashes, Strauss wants to keep the momentum going England's way.

BBC: Jonathan Agnew column