2009-08-23

Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes Ashes


The 2009 Ashes series is over and, once again, the greatest trophy in all of sport is ours.

I knew the series would be a close and competitive affair - I was correct. If England were to win, it would require our top players to play to their potential. I knew that English success would depend on the performances of a fast-bowling all rounder and a big South African batsman. How right I was.

I've given a lot of thought to the appropriate celebratory beverage for this occasion. Usually I'm more than happy with champagne but a victory over the Aussies requires something special, something more pertinent. This evening I will be popping the cork on a bottle of New Zealand sparkling wine. Cheers, Australia.
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10 comments:

Simon said...

Superb. Excellent choice of wine Marc. No sour grapes like with an Australian wine (other than Ponting - credit to him).

I loved Strauss's comment that 'when we were bad we were terrible, when we were good, we were just about good enough'.

Marc said...

Simon, I agree wholeheartedly; Ponting has been brilliant - as a player, as a captain and as a man.

The Strauss comment was one of the things that made me cry in the pub. It was both candid and erudite. Fantastic.

Simon said...

Strauss has really impressed me as a captain since the 52 all out, this series he's been a good captain of a team with a mixture of great, young and limited players.

There were a couple of moments from Ricky. When he whinged abotu the pitch and his run out "I wasn't expecting any quick singles today" now we know why Hussey kept battign so long, he didn't want to go back to the pavilion and face Punter.

Jonathan said...

Jonathan Lee absolutely bloody loves this.

Marc said...

Simon, I'm a huge fan of Strauss as a man and a player. His man management has surpassed my wildest expectations during this series and his performances with the bat have been wonderful.

I'm still not convinced about his efficacy as a tactician though. I hope he will improve and prove me wrong over and over again throughout a long and illustrious career as the captain of England.

Jonathan Lee, Marc Fearns bloody loves this too.

Sarah said...

Sarah also bloody loves this.

Marc said...

Excellent Sarah, Marc Fearns thinks that referring to yourself in the third person is fine and acceptable, but only immediately after an ashes victory. Ashes victory. ASHES VICTORY!!!!!! Woohoo!

Simon said...

Even more than 24 hours later I still bloody love it. Iit still feels wonderful, possbily because Radio 5 live filled muc of their shcedule with talking about the Ashes and I have spent much of the day reading newspaper articles about it.

Jonathan said...

It has destroyed your ability to spell correctly though Simon. I bloody love it.

Marc said...

Simon, Jonathan, I still bloody love it too. I'm not sure it has destroyed Simon's ability to spell correctly; it, much, schedule, batting and about have been pretty much annihilated by our ashes success though.