WE cannot begin to understand the plight of Diane Pretty. Within two years, motor neurone disease has turned a healthy wife and mother into someone who is unable to fend for herself.

Nor can we begin to understand the plight of her husband and children, watching helplessly as their loved one is ravaged by a terminal illness.

No one, even the most ardent opponent of euthanasia, can fail to be moved by the tragedy of such circumstances.

In a free world such as ours, Brian Pretty is fully entitled to advocate his wife's right to end her life. Also, he is fully entitled to go to court to have that right enshrined in law.

The issue of euthanasia divides the country so sharply and opinions are so vehement that a verdict satisfactory to all sides is impossible.

That Mrs Pretty will eventually die from her illness and that her quality of life will be increasingly abject are beyond doubt. But the medical issues which will not tax the judges. Instead, they will be asked to determine the ethical and moral question of whether or not the State should sanction a premature end to Mrs Pretty's life.

They must arrive at their conclusion knowing full well that their judgement may set a precedent, and effectively establish the law on euthanasia.

We do not envy those who have to sit in judgement.

SOME will maintain England's win yesterday in the Headingley test was a hollow victory, made possible by a generous declaration by an Australian side already guaranteed the Ashes.

While there is some justification in such a negative perspective, we must not overlook the positive aspects of proceedings.

In clinching a memorable victory, England completed their second highest run chase, and the 13th highest in Test history. Such an achievement should not be under-estimated.

But congratulations should also to the Aussies for declaring when they did to set up such an entertaining day's cricket.Their gesture kept the game alive and was in the finest spirit of the sport. As a reward why not let them take the Ashes home with them? That would be a fitting tribute to the world's finest team.