For those unable to get a ticket for The Oval, it was the next best thing: the crowds descended upon Regent's Park on Saturday to watch the tail end of the final Ashes series of 2009 on a giant video screen.
A sense of optimism buoyed fans in the morning as they scented a famous victory, and the atmosphere only got better as England took a commanding position, racking up over 500 runs before eventually declaring on 545. At the close of play, Australia were 80-0, requiring a nigh-on impossible 466 runs.
Sunday is the last day of the series, and barring a collapse of unprecedented proportion, the Test, that diminutive trophy, and most importantly, the bragging rights for the next two years, will be England's. Get down to Regent's Park nice and early, stake out a place, and watch sporting history unfurl. Word of advice — the organisers aren't letting in glass bottles or cricket bats, so leave 'em at home.