CARDIFF took its place in Ashes folklore after a dramatic last day at the Swalec Stadium – leaving them dreaming of a repeat in four years time.

The home of Welsh cricket became the 100th Test venue in the world and did so in style, with a sell-out crowd watching England secure a great escape.

A heroic innings from Paul Collingwood and a gutsy last-wicket stand between Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar saw the hosts sneak a draw.

The last pair survived 69 balls with every single one that was survived cheered as if it was a Grand Slam clincher at the Millennium Stadium down the River Taff.

It was a fitting end to a gripping five days with the Swalec Stadium defying the critics who had questioned the decision to take the series over to Wales.

“Our chances of getting an Ashes Test in 2013 have trebled as a result of what we have done over the last five days,” said Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell, who will have to wait until later this year before the England and Wales Cricket Board make that decision.

“At 6.40pm on the last day not a soul had left their seat, it does not get any better than that. It was a dream come true for me.

“I have viewed this Test with a great deal of pride, great deal of happiness and a great deal of satisfaction.

“We were lucky to host one of the great Ashes Test matches, where we weren't lucky was the way that we have presented ourselves as Cardiff, as Wales and as a Test match venue because we worked hard at it.”

Many doubted whether this year's Ashes could live up to the 2005 series – labelled the greatest ever – but the Cardiff opener matched it for drama, tension and atmosphere.

“I was on the edge of my seat - it was horrible to watch,” said England skipper Andrew Strauss. “As a batsman, watching numbers 10 and 11 do your job is not a place you want to be.

“All credit to them because there was a hell of a lot of pressure, there is a huge amount of relief in the dressing room – the – the second half of the order really stood up to be counted and we are still 0-0.”