My memories of the last Ashes series down under are tainted by the fact that I was still working at the Co-Op at the time - although one good thing about that was that in the early hours after the staff Christmas party I came down to see England lose the 3rd Test, but I was still a wee bit drunk... Definitely cushions the blow!
No need this time, apparently! To think I was worried beforehand that I wasn't going to properly get into proceedings... As much as the pre-series talk is distracting or quickly forgotten once the action started I think I missed it this time round. You need the Glenn McGrath figure making outlandish predictions; I knew four years ago that I would miss him, and I was right!
Thankfully the way England have performed meant that I was drawn in from day 1 of the 1st Test. Nerves may have set in from the batsmen in the 1st innings, but they learned from their mistakes and the whole team have gone from strength to strength since. Whilst I agree with Freddie Flintoff that it's good to see a contest, I couldn't be more pleased that the Ashes urn is still in our possession! It's also great to be able to recycle headlines made about previous England teams & apply them to Australia's current one - 'Can't Bat, Can't Bowl, Can't Field' comes to mind...
So the first mission has been accomplished, but the final hurdle remains. As good as it is to retain the Ashes in their backyard, according to Beefy winning the series would be "the ultimate". So that's what we need to do. The team has got their celebrations out of the way (the hangover should be gone by now) and Australia have to cope with two debutants & a missing captain. Plus Sydney traditionally takes spin, so an uncharacteristically quiet Swann should be in his element.
Best of luck to the boys!
