Matthew Hoggard reflects on losing the 2009 Ashes

All I can think about at the moment is "Roll on 2009!" which will be our next chance to get the Ashes back. I know that seems a long way off at the moment, but this series has been so disappointing that I just want it to start all over again and make sure we do ourselves justice.

To try and give you an idea of how despondent the England dressing room was on Monday, it's the first time I can remember sitting alongside my teammates with nobody quite knowing what to say to each other. We all knew it would be tough out here but, after beating the Aussies last year, nobody quite expected to lose the first three Tests this time around.

Thankfully, we had a case of Marston's Resolution to cheer us up. There were plenty of sorrows that needed drowning. But there is no point in staying down in the dumps. There are still two matches left in Melbourne and Sydney, where the crowds will be huge, and there is still a lot of pride at stake. That, I can assure you, is a huge motivating factor for this team.

I should also point out that there are much worse places to be spending Christmas than sunny Melbourne and we've got a big Christmas party planned for the whole England squad and our families. And then, on New Year's Eve, it's my 30th birthday. Conveniently, the nice people who plan the Test matches have ensured that we won't have a match on my birthday (or the day after!), so a glass or two will be raised.

In the meantime, I'd like to wish all readers a very happy Christmas. And despite the fact that we've lost the Ashes, the England players will still all be having a very happy Christmas too.