Ye Gods. What does it take to make the Aussies lie down and admit defeat?

A whole generation of cricketers came and went without tasting real success against the Aussies. In no particulary order, try this lot: Fraser, Smith, Russell, Atherton, Smith, Hussein, Lewis, Ramprakash, Such, Bicknel, De Freitas, Stewart, Malcolm, Foster, Thorpe, the Worcestershire batsman who has scored over 100 centuries and whose name now escapes me, to name but those I can remember.

I never thought I would say this but; I wish this series would end. I do not think my blood pressure will stand another close finish like those of the last 3 tests.

Against any normal side, I could look forward to the final match, knowing that the opposition would crumble against the kind of pressure England have exerted against Aussie. Trouble is, Aussie doesn't know the meaning of the term, "Lie down and die". Anybody with a potion to nobble Warne?

Steve

I know, I was at some friends of my parents' house and it was so tense, I couldn't bare to watch! England just about scraped through. Warne REALLY annoys me, he is so arrogant. I hope England win!

As a 'West Indian' (if there is indeed such a thing) I am all for England this time. Hope they win the next match. It's high time someone gives Australia a mighty kick in the you-know-where and a hefty slice of humble pie as well.

Was Beckham not playing today?????

It is funny how the atmosphere wraps people up and compels them to take part. Some 20 or so years ago, England were straining to draw a match against India at around this time of year. Three of my pupils (all from the same family) arrived for their piano lessons - they were used to waiting for each other. They came into the living room, invited in by my wife, and became involved with me.

England saved the game. The kids cheered with me. After several minutes, one of them asked, "What just happened? Why are we cheering?"

I did the same a few years later when Oldham (I lived close by at the time) did rather well in the FA cup - and I hate footy.

Steve

Reminds me, strangely, of my mum and sister watching Sally Gunnell running in the '92 olympics on a hotel room TV in Italy. They were sat there screaming 'Go on Sally, go on Sally....'.

Did we win today? Sorry for the ignorance, but I had to leave the house at 6 with 18 runs left to go, and by the time we got to the service and turned the radio off, there were still 13 runs or something to win... it was indeed tense!

Yes, Sarah, we did. Tense doesn't even begin to describe it

3 wickets left and only 18 runs to get (the situation when the seventh wicket fell) is a doddle. Grannies all over the land would be screeming, "Let me have a go. Let me at 'em".

Unless your side has a (granted, becoming more and more distant) history of 'choking' at the finishing line and ending up second best.

Unless your opponents are the toughest cricketing opps in history - the Aussies.

Aussies do not know the meaning of the term, "We have lost".

Of course, I wasn't tense. I knew we had it all under control.

Gibber, gibber, drool etc

Phew - oh good! It really was beginning to worry me by the time we turned the radio off...

Never mind. The football season's started now! Something to get really excited about!

I'm getting quite drawn-in by the cricket... not sure why.

I was on the last day of my orchestral course on Saturday, preparing for a concert when somebody walked into the room and handed the conductor some music. The conductor said: 'Oh, I'm not bothered about the music but do you know the cricket score?'

*snore*

sorry...

I'm sure you all really wanted to know this. On 29th August 1882, Australia defeated England at cricket for the first time. Isn't my diary full of useless information.....

A bit like those wonderful snippets in old-fashioned diaries; 'First Sunday after Trinity' etc.

And very out of date...

lol...

well, things like that don't happen often, so maybe the makers of the diary just wanted to ensure it'd be remembered...

Does that mean my first day back at work is also out of date?????

Maybe so.
Tomoorow was the day in 1901 that Hubert Cecil Booth patented the Vacuum Cleaner! Woooo