Australian Cricket

[Anthony Darby]

The ashes story from Lord's:

http://www.lords.org/history/the-ashes/

No mention of the actual burning of the stumps though?

There is supposed to be the ashes of a bail inside, but this would have been from the time the urn was presented to Ivo Bligh (the MCC captain) in Australia, not when the obituary appeared in The Times.

[Maggi Young]

Obviously a distorted feminine view, and a Scottish one to boot, and can therefore be discounted

 Can't deny the basic premise you have there, David.... but I would add that there is a cricket club at the bottom of my road and I have spent some time there in the past (with my late lamented Father) and I have first hand experience of the mind-numbing boredom that comes from watching the game..... also of the semi-comatose state of the players, standing on the pitch with little to keep them awake other than the occasional scratching of their "important littlee places"  Those others in the batting team are sitting on the verandah, smoking fags, phoning and texting or even actually snoozing....... dear gawd... it's barely even a game, let alone a sport!



PS I thought the Ashes were  those of the bails from that far off fateful game?
Ooops, didn't see Anthony's last post.... the burnt bail story is the one the  TV sports comentators always repeat.

[alpines]

Takes me back to the days when the AGS held their summer show at St. Chad's in Leeds. The venue was next to the local cricket ground.
So, it was a visit to the show....off for the Pudsey Pig competition......back to the show but too full of food and beer to enjoy. The only thing left to do? Stroll to the green, sit down to watch the cricket.....and fall asleep in no time.
What a wonderful sport for insomniacs!!!!

[ArnoldT]

I was hoping it was something like that and not similar to the 'ball' game the Aztecs played where the losing team was put to death.

Bill Shankley is reported to have said

"Football isn't a matter of life and death...its more important than that!

[alpines]

I was hoping it was something like that and not similar to the 'ball' game the Aztecs played where the losing team was put to death.

Well that would certainly put an end to the Chelseas and Liverpools of this world, wouldn't it?

[Colin]

What's cricket?

[Maggi Young]

What's cricket?

That's the attitude, Colin... keep it up, Lad! 

[PDJ]

What's cricket?

Simply Cricket is a game played by Gentlemen unlike football.

[David Nicholson]

What's cricket?

Simply Cricket is a game played by Gentlemen unlike football.

Not in Yorkshire it isn't (nor in Lancashire)

[Paul T]

I think it was in one of Chapelli's books that that quote was explained a little.....  it all comes down to the definitely of "Gentleman" doesn't it?    I think from memory the definition of gentleman was provided by Freddy Trueman?  One of those strange things that stuck in my mind.    I need a life!

[JohnnyD]

If a definition of 'gentleman' is needed look no further than Steve Smith, last out after a great fifty, congratulating and shaking hands with every single England player before leaving the field.

England were brilliant. A real team. Why not celebrate?

JohnnyD

[daveyp1970]

i agree with Jonny and David we played superb and stuck to a strategy that worked,our bowling was top notch,the Aussies were well here's a song from the Barmy Army" He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right, that boy Mitchell Johnson his bowling is s***e.." Gotta love the barmy army.Our fielding and catching was a master-class and batting was outstanding.I think the Aussies have now got to do what England had to a few years back and bring on some young rising stars.Even though I'm glad we won i would have preferred it going down to the last over,but you can never please everybody.
OOOH AND MAGGIE REALLY YOU DON'T LIKE CRICKET.how funny if only you could see me chuckling at your torment(if that is the right word).LOL

[David Nicholson]

Fred's definition of a gentleman was "A man who gets out of the bath to go to the toilet" (Note: this is a more polite version!)

[Lesley Cox]

  Burn out in cricket players seems extremely unlikely to me and early burn out even more so..... cricket has to be one of the most relaxed sports ever invented.... there are long periods of precious little happening, VERY short bursts of activity.... to my mind an averagely fit octogernarian could play the game.... what on earth is there in cricket  to cause burn out? Boredom, yes, in players and audience but  burn out? I doubt it!

Maggi! You are now officially BANNED from the Forum and from all contact with civilized and intelligent people. For ever!!!

[Lesley Cox]

not that Australia necessarily played badly (if you know what I mean). 

Let's face it Paul. They did. Very badly indeed.