Cricket: Here's looking at you, Shane

The Trent Bridge head groundsman is celebrating his part in helping England move one step closer to regaining the Ashes series.

In a claim that's likely to infuriate Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, groundsman Steve Birks celebrated "with a few beers" because his wicket suited England's swing bowlers, who again played their part in the home side's three-wicket victory.

"It went exactly to plan," Birks told Nottingham's Evening Post.

"The wicket played just how I thought it would. It quickened up as the game went on and there was little turn in it."

Warne declared a verbal war on Birks before the fourth test, by urging the curator to shut his mouth and focus on his job.

Test cricket's leading wicket-taker objected to Birks' pre-match claim that the wicket would not contain too much to suit "that spinner of theirs".

In the lead-up to the test, Warne hit back at Birks: "The wicket looks pretty good, contrary to what the groundsman wants to try and say ... He should keep his mouth quiet, that's what he should do."

- AAP