Friday, 3 December 2010

THE ASHES

The Ashes (for the ignorant, the five test match cricket series between England and Australia) is already living up to expectations.

After England escaped with a draw in Brisbane by making 517-1 in their second innings, smashing a host of batting records in the process, they managed to bowl Australia out for 245 on the first day of the second test in Adelaide. On a flat wicket, on which Australia won the toss and elected to bat, England had them reeling at one point at 2-3, Australia's worst start to a test match in 60 years. Ricky Ponting, their captain and best batsman, was out to a golden duck in his 150th test! A recovery to 245 was pretty good in the circumstances, but Australia would have been looking for at least 400 before the day started.

England now need to spend two days racking up a huge total, before bowling the Aussies out a second time on days 4 and 5. I will try to keep track of events from Copenhagen, where I am spending the weekend. That will include a first ever visit to the new opera house this evening for my birthday treat.

Walter Blotscher
Posted by Walter Blotscher at 09:06

5 comments:

  1. Michael3 December 2010 at 11:49

    Are you up in the night watching live? My scheme is to watch the first hour, often the most interesting passage of play then take a sleep and be up for the better part of the after tea session. I have mugs of tea and watch the slow dawn over the beautiful packed snow. The snow is excellent as it in England is ample justification for doing no work whatsoever.

    Happy Birthday. Five years to the Government pension.

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  2. Joachim Satchwell3 December 2010 at 19:22

    Your commentary does not serve as tribute enough - instead, view the mastery!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nKZ43ciQh8

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  3. Michael5 December 2010 at 12:28

    The You Tube has the Australian commentary. Ilike it. We these days like to have two versions of commentary along wth the Guardian OBO and TMS.

    The huge score is duly ratched up- but the Australian rain dance could be the secret weapon.

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  4. Walter Blotscher5 December 2010 at 18:30

    Hi Joachim,

    You're right, a great youtube video.

    As Michael says, it will be Swann's spin versus the weather ....

    Regards,

    Walter

    PS Michael, thank you, but my birthday was in July, it was just my treat this weekend.

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  5. Michael7 December 2010 at 09:17

    Huge score, now rain, Swann on song, result. I enjoyed watching live in the peaceful silent dark.

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