Thinking about tickets for the final Ashes Test at England's [Images] Oval?

Start collecting now.

Going by what scalpers have been charging, this match is clearly not for those without the cash.

Even though the match in question is set to begin a week from now, a pair of tickets on auction site eBay touched a staggering Rs 88,000 yesterday. And yes, this excludes the Rs 300 postage.

Demand for tickets has risen steadily, thanks in part to a wonderful display of cricket by both sides.

Bids for the fourth day's play have already touched Rs 47,000 a pair!

What these figures prove is that the game has moved way beyond its traditional audience. Normally, tickets for the final day of a Test are not sold in advance because of administrative costs involved in the possibility of refunding.

This year is clearly different though, as tickets for the fifth Ashes Test are being sold and re-sold daily.

Given the cost, then, watching it on television might not seem like a bad idea after all.