Comments on: Ashes to ashes

By: derrida derider

derrida derider — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:00:44 +0000

I too love cricket for its mental, not physical, aspect – there is something in the old upper-class view that the game “builds character”. Though I’m not sure that you’d want to build Warney’s character :-)

As an Irishman I presume you’ll be delighted to see the English get their comeuppance. As an Aussie, I see it as partial compensation for Breaker Morant, Gallipoli, Pozieres, bodyline, the fall of Singapore and the gormless Windsors.

By: Bruce Western

Bruce Western — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:22:36 +0000

My hometown paper, the Courier Mail, scoops the BBC with two key quotes from the third day.

From Warne: “I was falling asleep as I normally do so I thought I would try a few Red Bulls so I was buzzing when I went out there.”

From Collingwood: “Did you get stuck into all the pies and soft drinks over Christmas Shane?”

By: nick s

nick s — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 13:54:21 +0000

There’s something morbidly satisfying about the way in which the Aussies, stung by losing the Ashes, decided that nicking them back wasn’t good enough, and instead wanted to thump the Poms something rotten.

It’s exposed the weaknesses in the England side in the way that a beach exposes the weaknesses in a whale’s physical makeup. They can’t take wickets or stop the other team from scoring runs at a Twenty20 rate; they can’t bat for an extended period of time, and the tail starts at number 6; they can’t execute basic run-outs, and the captain can’t set a field.

Anyway, Warne was in great form today, whinging to the umpires about the sledging he received after refusing to walk. Still, given his predilections, by 2026 there should be a fine crop of dodgy-haired young wrist-spinners in Hampshire.

But the player of the series, for me, has been Stuart Clark, for demonstrating that it’s possible to bowl a good length on off stump all the bloody time.

By: Ian Whitchurch

Ian Whitchurch — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:41:34 +0000

For Americans

You remember Barry Sanders, the man who could head fake a mirror ?

Now, take that talent, add the personality of T. Owens and a habit of getting caught up in sex-, drugs- and gambling scandals and you have Shane Warne.

Oh yeah, and he’s been matched with Glenn McGrath for about the last ten years. Glen is almost completely and exactly like Jerry Rice. He isnt fast, he isnt big, he’s quiet, no nonsense, and exactly where he needs to be, every game, every play. You can try to stop him, but if you are an eight of a sixteenth of an inch off your game, he will make you pay.

By: Chris Bertram

Chris Bertram — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:55:50 +0000

I was told when I woke up (about 10 mins ago) that England were 12 for 5 in the second innings. I see that they actually have a lead of 12 after the loss of 5 wickets, which isn’t quite as bad …..

By: dr ngo

dr ngo — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:06:59 +0000

Actually, Warnie came in at number 8 (not 9 or 10, as implied above), but still, 71 off just 65 balls is pretty damn impressive. Mind you, he always could swing a pretty hefty bat; they used to move him up in the order in one-day matches when they needed a quick slog.

For those who wonder why an American rejoices so in this outcome, I refer you to the classic Anyone But England: An Outsider Looks at English Cricket by Mike Marqusee.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 06:46:58 +0000

No—off the field, you can have him.

By: gilmae

gilmae — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 05:20:29 +0000

He always did seem to take a liking to less attractive or less cluey women; seems the natural location for him, neh?

By: P O'Neill

P O'Neill — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 05:02:10 +0000

Is anyone in Australia taking it badly that Shane’s preferred retirement home is in … England?

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 04:50:49 +0000

pfft. You should read the Guardian OBO - the BBC is only good for listening to Blowers talk about confused birds and all the pies he had for lunch. These are people with the right priorities:

Sickening news from Sean Boiling “(AP) LOS ANGELES “The O.C.,” the once-hot teenage soap opera, has been canceled. Fox TV and Warner Brothers Television Production says the final episode of the drama will air Thursday, February 22nd. Series creator Josh Schwartz says the finale ‘will deliver real closure to the series’.” Sickeners come no more definitive than this. Sod Warne and McGrath; we’ve got an even more emotional farewell to say now. Send your tributes to the usual address and, if I can see through the tears, I’ll publish them.

By: John Quiggin

John Quiggin — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 04:24:53 +0000

This is merely restoring the balance of the universe after the disgrace of losing the Ashes last time.

Restoring them to their natural home is not enough: only five crushing victories in succession will suffice.