Well what a day yesterday – Shane Warne has announced his retirement from international cricket at the end of ashes. Hot on that announcement is the rumours that Glen McGrath will also be announcing his retirement after the world cup series in spring.
From an England point of view it is a shame these didn’t come before the Ashes tournament but doesn’t this have shades of when Glen Chappell, Rodney Marsh and Dennis Lilley all retired for Australia in 1984? I think with McGrath and Warney gone by the time the next Ashes come around will be major loss for Australia. I guess we wait and see who comes into the fold between now and then. I think the retirement of Warney is going to leave a major hole and a big loss for cricket. The TV here in Australia is full of images of his career including the highs and lows. Most Aussies I have spoke to are going to miss him like crazy but I think most England fans are as well - he’s sums up a typical Aussie – Blond, Charisma, party animal and great at his sport under pressure.
With Warney gone for the up and coming one day series I think we have a real even contest on our hands with England V Australia which is what we all want and especially all us Poms living down under!
Well I haven’t much of a chance to blog over the last few days and with the outcome today of the third test and ashes series who can blame me!
It has been a fun few days at work. ‘Bruce’ said of England’s first innings that the only way we could get in the runs was for Monty to do one of his special curries. I also had my works Christmas do on Saturday night at a local restaurant, which just happened to have a TV showing the cricket. At the exact point I was there with everyone Gilly was whacking poor old Monty for non-stop sixes. I got up as we sat down for our meal and turned the TV off to a loud chorus of boo’s
Well England tried to fight yesterday and today but all to no avail. The Aussies have won the ashes back in 15 days and England is in disarray.
As the third test comes to an end I must say how refreshing it has been to see Monty Panesar playing cricket. Everything Monty does is with a smile and even when Gilchrist hit his bowling all over the park he still had a smile. Apart from Monty I guess everyone’s thoughts are with Ashley Giles wife Stine who a few days ago was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I haven’t been a huge fan of Ashley in this series but things like this are more important than the game. Get well soon Stine
Well the first day of the 3rd test is over and what a day!
The day started with one of Bruce’s mates at work saying that it’s a very important day today and I started the question why and he said that its when England lose the Ashes – oh dear this was going to be a interesting. Bruce turned up a little late today but whilst I was doing some work he started to put on an impression of the Queen doing her Christmas speech and saying how sad that England lost 5-0 in the Ashes. I started giving him some banter back and told him that Monty Panesar would give them one hell of a beating today – how right I was!
Throughout the afternoon I watched as Australian wickets fell and wound all the Aussies in the office up. Its so funny seeing how they go all quiet when they are doing badly at sport. By late afternoon when I was leaving England had Australia with 5 wickets down and ripped into Bruce and his mates. Leaving the office Bruce said in a funny way:
“Go and bloody enjoy it†– How I did on the way home!
By the end of the day we had Australia all out for 244 but England didn’t make a great start with the bat at 51-2. The 2nd days is going to be very interesting and let’s hope England can stay in and bat and take their time.
Well it’s been rather quiet here on the cricket front since the 2nd test finished and the banter died down. ‘Bruce’ did tell me of a funny story of some Barmy Army England fans who were so desperate for a good English curry that they have ordered one and the chef to be delivered from their favourite curry house in the UK. Read more here.
I did notice a funny thing here in Oz the other day though. In the UK we refer to Aussies as ‘Bruce’ and ‘Sheila’ but here in Oz they didn’t know what I was on about when talking about a stereotypical Aussie block as ‘Bruce’. The Aussies recognised ‘Sheila’ as a term but not ‘Bruce’ which I found funny. I then raised the Bruce highway which goes north from Brisbane and asked who this was named after and no-one knew! Good old BRUCE whoever you are!
Well ‘Bruce’ was out of the office yesterday but today’s he’s back and rubbing it in about the 2nd Test!. He sent me the following jokes about England’s players – which is very good!
This arvo we have a works Christmas do outside so hopefully I wont get attacked by any ‘Roos out there (there are actually a lot outside my building). I did challenge ‘Bruce’ and his friends to a game of cricket but it seems as though they talk the talk but don’t walk the walk
Anyway here are the jokes:
Q. What do Geraint Jones and Michael Jackson have in common?
A. They both wear gloves for no apparent reason
Q. What is the height of optimism?
A. An English batsman applying sunscreen.
Q. What does Ashley Giles put in his hands to make sure the next ball almost always takes a wicket?
A. A bat.
Q. What would Glen McGrath be if he was an Englishman?
A. An allrounder.
Q. What advantage do Kevin Pieterson, Andrew Strauss and Geraint Jones have over the rest of their team-mates?
A. At least they can say they’re not really English.
Q. What is the English version of a hat-trick?
A. Three runs in three balls.
Q. What do you call an Englishman with 100 runs against his name?
A. A bowler.
Q. What is the most proficient form of footwork displayed by English batsmen?
A. The walk back to the pavilion.
Q. Who has the easiest job in the English squad?
A. The guy who removes the red ball marks from the bats.
Q. Why is Andrew Flintoff the unluckiest English player?
A. Because he was born in England.
Q. What does “Ashes” stand for?
A. Another Sad Horrific English Series.
Q. What’s the English version of LBW?
A. Lost, Beaten, Walloped.
Q. Who spends the most time on the crease of anyone in the English team?
A. The person who ironed the cricket whites.
Well there is not much you can say after that end to the game. I have to take my hat off to Australia and congratulate them on winning that test match. After day one who would of thought that was possible – apart from England fans!
Anyway quickly moving on and this image made me laugh. I know the Aussies love sport but this taking it a bit too far (Taken from the ‘Cairns Post’ )!
we’ll I’m sat here at work polishing me apple on my leg and I feel like i’m just about to bowl in this game its got so exciting. A funny quote from Shane Warne below though which even ‘Bruce’ in the office thinks is over the top and that he’s lost it – thats saying a lot coming from an Aussie!
Shane Warne has been talking to Channel 9: “The boys know what to do. We’re quietly confident. There’s a good mood in the changing room. We gave them no runs, and their attitude this morning was just to survive. We all thought, if we can get two or three, we’ll put them under pressure. We just wanted to say, we’re still here.
“The run-out was key. It was a needless wicket, and then when we got Pietersen, every ball was a hand-grenade. I’m knackered, but lucky I’m a good athlete. It would have been nice to get a five-for, but I was really happy for Glenn McGrath, waited a long time to get that wicket, he’s a true champion.
“Now we need to be nice and aggressive. That wicket wasn’t part of the gameplan, but Ricky’s the best player in the world, this is his stage. Do I want a bat?! No way, I want a toasted sandwich and some cake!” And indeed he’s immediately spotted on the balcony troughing on some pizza – well deserved, nevertheless.
I’m sat here in the office watching as England are 120/9 in their second innings. I’ve been getting stick since mid-morning thanks to this classic England collapse. Ah well i’m taking it on the chin and the Aussies still have to get the runs in limited overs to win. Its not looking good but its going to be exciting.
Here’s something fun to cheer up all England fans:
Well yesterday had some fun with Hoggy taking a few wickets but today’s play has indicated that this game will be heading a for a draw. The Aussie wickets appear to be great batching pitches and even ‘Bruce’ and friends have got of bored with the slow run procession and little in the way of wickets.
I have had some great banter at work today though and with England’s great performance over the weekend I started to stir things up early on by saying we’d bowl them all out today. Well we have achieved that but it appears a little bit too late for a victory now.
The big talking point today has been my new purchase at the weekend at the local market – a “Bloody Pommie” mug. I’ll hopefully get a piccy of it up here soon.
Anyway some good comments on the baggygreen site today are included below:
The Aussies are jogging around the outfield, England have been throwing catches to each other but are now going into a huddle on the edge of the square … and Cricket Australia are busy confiscating the latest wave of subversive material – The Barmy Army’s official magazine! You wonder if the board could possible make a bigger cock-up of their own public relations if they tried! And the reason the magazine has been seized? Cos it’s not a sanctioned publication … send us your thoughts.
Reaction comes fast and furious, and mostly from our Australian readers … and it’s not good for Cricket Australia. “Trumpets and magazines should be the least of the ACB’s worries,” emails Dave. “When did they become the fun police.” Pual adds: “I think Cricket Australia need to take a close look at who is advising them on their Public Relations.” Michael McInerney writes: “Let the Barmy Army have their newsletter . Do they [CA] want to insist on boring everyone to death with the usual official magazine rubbish.” JP adds: “Such a prominent part of the Australian culture, is represented by a decidedly un-Australian organisation.”
Boonie wakes up and tells everyone to “Stop whinging”
“Stop dribbling on about the trumpeter,” trumpets Rod Hutchison. “Do you really think those snotty aristocrats at Lord’s would allow an Aussie to come in and bugle Waltzing Matilda all day?? I think not somehow….stick to the scones and tea, build a bridge and get over it!”
