How significant is the victory?

England's bowlers ripped through Pakistan to secure victory inside three days.

It was a fine team effort which saw Alec Stewart's men take 16 wickets in the day, aided by four magnificent slip catches by Graham Thorpe.

Imran Khan believes the tourist's poor preparation and tour itinerary has reduced the series to nothing more than a sideshow to the Ashes.

How significant is the Lord's victory and the series as a whole?

Is the real test likely to be the Ashes?

Well done to the boys and the fans at Lords, the atmosphere was fantastic. Gough and Caddick will pose real problems for the impulsive Aussie top order this summer and I wouldn't trade Thorpe, Atherton or Trestcothick for any of their Aussie counterparts on current form. If Lee and Gillespie struggle to stay fit, Australia will be hard pushed to beat this team
James, UK

A victory for England in the Ashes would be a brilliant reward for so much hard work, but I think that the Aussies may still be a little too strong.
T Keel, England

What a joy to see England consistently playing so well. Such a contrast to so many recent years! There is a real sense of belief in the whole squad nowadays. If we lose a player his replacement no longer looks lost. The batting looks more confident all the way down and our fielding is almost to Aussie standards.

The team is also learning how to "kill off" the opposition at the earliest opportunity. They now have the bearing of winners about them. Pakistan may have been under-prepared, and rightly upset with being offered just two tests, but they are a useful (if waning) side. Plaudits are due to the whole set up.

It was truly an awesome performance by the English team, and they have set the tone for what will be the best "Ashes" in a long time. Hopefully Nasser will be back to keep the English "juggernaut" rolling.
Arul Sugunakumar, USA

England deserved to win this first Test. There is no doubting that however as a cricket fan I was slightly disappointed that we didn't see a true reflection of the mercurial Pakistanis. I agree with Imran Khan that firstly, five days in early May is no way for a Test team to prepare for a Series. Secondly I would dispute the fact that the ECB have labelled this as a true series (after 2 matches the visiting team will have just warmed up).

If we were to beat the Aussies (or even come close) than that will be a true measure on how far we've come over the last 18 months or so. Not beating an under-prepared team in early May.
David Ledbetter, UK

Full marks to the English team for trouncing a Pakistan team, which without doubt outweighed them on paper. The English took advantage of a disoriented and misaligned Pakistan team.

Things would probably have been different if Wasim Akram was at the helm. On the other hand one cannot but get a feeling that Pakistan has the potential to come right back. They have enough venom to stun England.
Ninad, USA

Waqar and Wasim have been great bowlers but their time is now over. The senior players are the root cause of the problems in this team. They plot, they manipulate and they back-stab.

Give me a team of junior players who can do an honest days work and I will be glad if we can get rid of these senior players as soon as possible.
Ather Lodi, Canada

At last an Ashes series, which may still hold some interest after three tests!
Mark Melbourne, Australia

What Pakistan are playing at I have no idea, they must realise that they are slipping down the world rankings fast. For a team that claims to be the most talented in the world, such a trend is both bizarre and worrying. The PCB has to examine Pakistani cricket as a whole, from the grassroots to the international team.

Until major reforms are made, such as a massive upheaval of the first class game, the Pakistan team will never realise their true potential.
Naveed Anwar, UK

I hope this is a sign of the things to come when the Ashes begin. I can't wait!

Well done to the England lads .
Mark Mathison, Australia