The Ashes

Cricket? Normally couldn't give a full toss - it's slow, it takes days, literally, and may well end in a draw! The Ashes, however, is a tradition that goes back to 1882 when Australia overcame tremendous odds to beat the much more professional English (who after all invented the ruddy game), prompting The Times to declare cricket dead, saying the body would be cremated and the "ashes" sent down under - so if you absolutely have to watch it then this quaint and fiercely contested event is the one. It only happens once every four years and this time battle would commence on English soil - 8 weeks, 5 tests, 5 days each, five different venues. Now I have to admit that for the first few tests I only kept half of one eye on it, but by the end of the tenth day of play it was obvious it was going to get interesting, and pundits and aficionados everywhere started saying it was the best series ever! That was largely down to two men, the charismatic and relative new boy for England, Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff, who was taking wickets left right and centre and not doing too badly with a bat either; and the old warhorse, Shane Warne, one of the greatest bowlers of all time and a constant thorn in England's side. Things were all square after 3 tests, but England had missed out on the lead by only 2 runs and momentum was definitely swinging in the Pommie's favour. The fourth, sure enough, went to England, leaving them needing only a draw to retain The Ashes for the first time in 16 years... London's Oval was to be the final ground, and rain (as it does in Britain) played a big part in delaying an Aussie comeback. By the final morning England only had to bat out the day to lift the tiniest trophy in sport - but Warne had a lot to say about it, taking 4 more wickets (he finished with 40 for the entire series!!) before lunch, leaving England nerve's jangling. A few sarnies and a cuppa later, though, and South African born, adopted Englishman Kevin Pietersen started whacking some sixes and by tea it was more or less over - he finished up on 158 to be England's top batsman for the series and the hero of the day. But it was a team victory ultimately, over 25 days of effort and much doubt. Hurray! As a sidenote, Richie Bennaud, the Australian who has been the voice of cricket commentary since I was born, retired today to standing ovations all round - a sad goodbye, but a fitting event to go out on. Now, every Englishman is going mad in celebration: on the TV, radio and anywhere else they can be heard. In a year without a football or rugby world cup, or an Olympics, this is being called the great sporting event of the Summer and it certainly is a good excuse to shout. Also kind of sweet that (on a global scale) such a minority sport can create such a fuss. I wish in a way I could get more excited about it - but my thoughts are already turning to the Champions League, kicking off tomorrow night. It's all a load of balls really! Kx