Who could have guess this after the one innings defeat at Headingley? The Aussies had squared the series and the Oval was to be the decider. They only needed a draw or a tie and after England's 332 in the first innings a victory wasn't at all certain.
In my humble opinion it was Broad's spell of five wickets for 37 runs in the first innings that paved the way for the victory. Ponting got 8 and Hussey was out for a duck. The Aussies only managed 160. There you see, it is not only England who have perfected the art of collapsing.
England declared on the third day with 373 for 9, leaving Australia to chase a total of 545 for a tie and 546 for a win. England now had two days to get the Aussies out, which they managed already on the fourth day. Australia fought back with a decent score, managing to get 348 runs but with the collapse on day two, that meant a win for England by 197 runs. The Ashes is coming home!
Although Swann totalled eight wickets in the final test, I still think Broad is the one who saved England this time. There were high hopes that Flintoff would do that, and getting Ponting run out was genius, and Trott is to be congratulated for getting 160 runs in his test début, with a century in the second innings, still, Broad was my man this time.
Sorry for this interlude. The final episodes of Surrender story will be posted shortly. And the sport is Cricket for those who aren't sure. And forgive me, dear Aussies out there, for being a little biassed.
Janice, I'm so glad that someone noticed.
ReplyDeleteMakes a nice change doesn't it.
Love and warm hugs,
Paul.
Cricket: the most epic of sports, and the Ashes rivalry the most epic contest in cricket.
ReplyDeleteI think the series was won by that epic last-wicket stand by Monty and Anderson at Cardiff to forcer a draw - without that, England never stood a chance. Got to agree, though, Broad was the hero of the final test.
An excellent article Janice.
ReplyDeleteThe second best thing in the world to beat (after a lady's bottom) is the Aussies at cricket.
The series swung backwards and forwards giving us the usual range of emotions from elation to "This-is-too-depressing-I-can't-face-listening-to-any-more"
Janice, I'm so glad that someone noticed.
ReplyDeleteMakes a nice change doesn't it.
I can't imagine why I'm Anonymous.
Love and warm hugs,
Paul.
On sleepless nights, I tune in to the BBC World News -- when I'm lucky, they give the cricket scores from around the world, with detailed accounts of the important games. I wish to goodness I had a clue what the lingo means, but I hear tell that some folks have trouble understanding the intricacies (and allure) of American football.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Wystan
That's OK Manorlord, it takes a long time to get used to the lingo.
ReplyDeleteI recall about a year ago there was a game of American Football between two American pro teams played in London, and it was televised. I found it quite interesting to learn how it worked, aided of course by the explanations of the expert commentators. I could quite understand how it would captivate the spectator.
It seems to have the same slow ebb and flow that Test cricket has, albeit not quite so slow.
Dear Paul, had no idea you were into Cricket...great.
ReplyDeleteDear SnowdropExplodes, thank you for the comment and welcome to my blog. And don't forget the rain.
Dear Ollie, I didn't think England would win the last test match...it is nice to be shown you are wrong sometimes.
Dear Paul, I kind of got it, it was you above..computers do the strangest things.
Dear Wystan E, I know your parallel was a more subtle one because there are not much similarities between Cricket and American Rugby Football, which you, for some odd reason, call Football, just to confuse it with proper Football, which you call Soccer. The closest you have to Cricket is American Cricket or Baseball.
Dear Ollie, I watched something of the sort on telly. They played for three seconds then walked around for two minutes, then played another five seconds and so on. Maybe that is a bit similar to Cricket.
Hugs
Janice
Thanks, Ollie, for your comments. But please call me Wystan -- the Manor I once lorded over has been deconstructed by Yahoo 360, and I am but a lonely homeless blogger...
ReplyDeleteYes, Dear J, rugby and US football are cousins, as are cricket and baseball. Baseball found an international following (South America and Asia) that USF lacks. USF is a game of great finesse and utter brutality - moments of great beauty flavored with mayhem, punctuated by intervals of ennui.
A rugby-playing friend of mine once put it this way:
"Rugby is a barbarians' game played by gentlemen. (US) Football is a gentleman's game played by barbarians."
As for cricket, as far as I can tell, the improbable jargon was invented just for the alliteration -- sticky wicket, what?
Steee-eerike three! Yerrr...OUT!
FOndly,
W
Well crikey! You can have the Ashes, for now anyway. We will be back to snatch them from you once again in the not too distant future or at least have fun trying.
ReplyDeletePonting got 8! Oh dear, if the Captain can't make a good go of it there's no hope for the rest.
Okay so I admit to not watching a jot of it. Too busy screaming at the All Blacks to win the Bledisloe Cup from the Wallabies, which they did. ;-)) But they may not win the Tri-nations since the Springbok haven't lost a game yet. But it ain't over till it's over.
As to football, every good Australian knows that term refers to Australian Rules Football (fondly called footy) unless you are a New South Welshman in which case football is actually rugby league. Now if you are in New Zealand, then football becomes rugby union. Which is probably quite apt when they play a kicking game instead of actually running with the ball!
As to those odd Americans, I enjoy baseball and that may well be a good enough reason to visit her shores in the future.
Thanks Janice for updating us and I know you will think it spiffing that the Brits have the Ashes back home.
Hugs
Mina
Dear Wystan E, thank you for your brilliant comment on Rugby Football and American Dito. I will, however, contest your statement about 'improbable jargon'. Do you, by the way, know what a sticky wicket is?
ReplyDeleteDear Mina, it is true that the All Blacks are good at Rugby Union. It is a pleasure to watch them play, something about the speed and elegance in the attack...ah.
Hugs
Janice
Janice, talking about Cricket. In my days, the 'olden days' they fancied cricketer's like Denis and Leslie Compton. Or Don Bradman, "How's that", for an answer. As he knocked the stumps off, with the ball. Here is another fascinating titbit. For the past 60 years, I've admired being a fan of 'Arse'nal the English football team, even before I became a 'spanking enthusiast'.
ReplyDelete