The Ashes of shared experience

Thousands of people have been in Trafalgar Square celebrating England's cricket victory over Australia. Any excuse for a party.

For an England cricket team to defeat the Australians is a tremendous achievement, especially given the almighty beatings that the Aussies have been dishing out in every series since England last won, in Australia, nearly 20 years ago. You can't blame cricket fans and sports commentators for getting more than a little overexcited.

However, why there should be such interest in the matches more generally is less obvious. After all, cricket is far more of a minority sport than in the past. Few could name more than one or two of the England players; nor did they take much interest in the series when England were losing heavily in the first match at Lord's. This victory does not represent a new golden age for English cricket.

It is the latest in a long line of Shared National Experiences, large and small, from Diana's funeral to winning the 2012 Olympics bid. For the majority of participants, they are there because everyone else is there, in the hope that something profound or memorable might happen. They want to have a good answer to the question, 'Where were you when...?'

Even big political demonstrations, like those against the Iraq war or to defend foxhunting, have taken on something of this character. As such, the effect of these events is usually fleeting. However, there is a sense of power and purpose in a crowd which makes a desire for 'being there' quite understandable. Shame it's only in aid of a cricket match.

Fans hail England's Ashes heroes, BBC News, 13 September 2005