Ashes reflections from andrewg

While happy to say that I did not have to endure a near death experience to have my life pass before my eyes, a large part of it has just done so….

This next day, now that the excitement has died down a little, I recall the 1989 Ashes campaign when, against all predictions, the Australians cleaned up the Poms and won the Ashes in a canter. The excitement all over Melbourne was wonderful, with complete strangers starting Ashes conversations on the train, tram, or street corner. Back then I was in my early twenties, no kids, starting out on a working career, and still playing the game. Little did myself or anyone know that by the time England would win the Ashes back, I’d be just turned 40, with high school kids, my third career, and only distant memories of playing the game! Hardly a lifetime, but a huge slice of life and a long time waiting….

I think it’s timely to reflect on the angst and drama of the last 16 years, throughout which there was much hand-wringing and despair from cricket fans the world over about the state of English cricket and whether the Ashes would ever be a real contest again. True, every Ashes tour was greeted with anticipation, and there were some great moments, but what a contrast between those series and this year’s epic! England has clearly learnt well, if slowly, over the years, and with valuable input from individuals like Rod Marsh (whose commentary was both insightful and hilarious on TMS), the English seem to have uncovered a nursery of up and coming players. The current team may well be world champions and playing a six-day test in a couple of years. A far cry from 2001 to be sure.

Staying up until 4am to watch England win the Ashes and share the excitement of the players and fans was a wonderful experience. While I shared the couch with all my friends, meaning to say I was alone, I endured the longest day imaginable. A day’s play where time just dragged and there always seemed to be a million overs left. While I loved it, the tension was amazing, considering that I was sitting twelve thousand miles away, watching a mere sporting match in which I had no role.

What I could share in however, was the excitement and sheer happiness of the English public as they cheered on their heroes. What an amazing response to the players leaving the field for bad light on day four from fans who had paid huge ticket prices! And on the final climactic day, to see fans packed into any vantage point, perched like Dickensian pigeons on roof tops or chewing nails at seat edge, eyes glued to every ball, and yet putting such every effort into singing and cheering their players on, was a wonderful insight into English character and culture. Sixteen years of waiting for success was etched all over fans’ faces, and the eventual drama and conquest had a certain Battle of Trafalgar feel to it. The singing of Jerusalem every morning was an awesome event, and one that must have played upon the emotions of every player.

We who have witnessed this spectacle have been truly blessed. As every Australian or English cricket fan knows, there is no more important battle in world cricket than the Ashes, and there can never have been a greater Ashes series. To live in an age where teams score at 4 runs an over virtually every match all match, where we can choose between television, radio, and Internet coverage, and have ready access to every stat and player interview imaginable is a wonderful thing for any cricket fan. And the great thing is that there are now so many more cricket fans throughout Great Britain. As Michael Vaughan aptly said, “The great thing is that this has made so many people so very happy, and that’s the best part of all this for me.”

So, until we greet the English in Australia in season 2006/07, I will leave off, go take a few moments more to pore through the series stats, listen to more player interviews, and pre-order the series DVD. I wonder if I can get a DVD with Blower’s commentary overlaid…

Trials Under Stormy Skies

I listened to an interesting argument last night between Channel 4 commentators, Tony Greig and Mark Nicholls. This followed what obviously was a message from the rooms to the batsmen to step on the gas. Nicholls made the point that Australia should be careful not to throw away wickets and be all out quickly. The chances were that England would immediately be offered the light and much time would be lost. Greig argued that the time had come to forget about the weather and get on with it. Australia’s immediate capitulation and the loss of most of the rest of the day proved Nicholls had a good point.

If nothing else, this innings has proved the Australia has not shown the care needed when batting for this whole series. We caught a glimpse at Trent Bridge from Katich and Clarke of the patience needed and the rewards. Hayden further emphasised this with a very patient century from well over 200 balls (sorry Matt, I was wrong)! While the England bowling lacked some penetration without Jones, it was still very good. As soon as Australia tried to up the tempo, the bowling was treated with less respect and wickets tumbled. I think the Aussies will rue not being more careful. They could have batted all day and built a lead of 150 – that would have been their best chance to force victory.

As it is now, Australia has one day left of Ashes possession. This series has delivered the unexpected and sensational with now predictable regularity but an exciting finish seems beyond the capabilities of this game. Australia

will be a different place tomorrow. When my almost 12 year old daughter wakes up, for the first time in her life, Australia will not hold the Ashes. Of course, that could be said for anyone up to the ripe old age of 16. It is a long time.

As I listened to and watched the crowd last night, I was given cause to think about what a long time it has been. The joy and exuberance was something to behold. We are used to seeing crowds jeer the umpires for leading the players off. The sheer delight when play stopped for bad light was amusing and ironic. I found myself feeling not so gutted over losing the Ashes. Perhaps we have started taking possession of the treasured Urn for granted. The English have suffered long and hard and now the prize is going to deserving hands. Of course, the English players have earned it. And the fans are embracing their team and the Ashes with passion.

Or perhaps, there is one twist left in this memorable series and I am speaking too soon.