The Ashes – A Moral English Victory?
Broad – The End of an Era
I am no great fan of cricket, but I do always take an interest in The Ashes Series. The battle between the Aussies and Poms is one of the great sporting events.
This year was no different, and it was played by two good sides with possibly different approaches to the game.
I was disappointed that it wasn’t shown on terrestrial TV as I have long given up paying a fortune for Sky.
I do however recognise that money talks and is now, possibly the root of evil, with TV rights going to the highest bidders. But that is the way of Sport in the 21st Century.
I therefore had to get my fix by watching the highlights on BBC, which is rather self-defeating, as the atmosphere produced by live TV, just can’t be replaced by retrospective viewing.
I already knew the outcome of all games, but at least I got to see the historic events.
The style England has adopted, is I have to say refreshing, but it was criticised by many when the Aussies went 2-0 after the Lords test. There was also some criticism of the Aussies for the way JB was dismissed. ‘Just not Cricket’. Technically correct, and I guess he won’t make the same mistake again in a hurry. I think the Aussies missed an opportunity, by not apologising after the event, but I guess that is competitive sport for you. If it was me I would have noted that it was technically correct, while maintain some moral high ground with a statement, that perhaps stated it was morally and sportingly wrong.
England though stuck to their principals and the team produced some great cricket at Headingly and won in style. Your can’t beat a great Yorkshire day out, 2-1.
England really put the Aussies to the sword at Old Trafford and looked unassailable, playing some great attacking cricket, but what happened. The Great British summer weather, or more to the point Manchester rain happened. So what should have been a tying of the series, ended with the Aussies somehow retaining the Ashes.
So it came down to the final Test at The Oval, to decide if England could retain some pride with a victory to tie the series.
It proved to be a great match, testing both sides style and undertaken in what was a great spirit, with both sets of players recognising their opponents skills and desire while representing their country.
SB’s announcement at the end of day three of his proposed retirement also added potential drama to an already memorable series.
What a final day.
After the Aussies had provided a nice touch with a guard of honour, which just showed how much respect their remains in an Ashes series. CB, hit a six with his final ball at a test, you can’t get much better than that. Or can you.
CW and MA then bowled wonderfully well to break the Aussies top order, just when they thought they were in chance to take the series with a 3-1, and a victory that was last achieved in 2001.
Then to cap of a most memorable day and a test career, up popped SB again, this time to take the final wicket. That of the villain, AC, who will be long remembered as the man that cruelly stumped JB, with what was to be his final ball at international level. England had drawn the series 2-2.
You just can’t write stuff like that. Absolutely Bloody Brilliant.
There have been many memorable days at the Oval, not surprising as Test Series in England always end there, but 31 July 2023, will have its place etched on the hearts of most diehard English cricket fans, and hopefully with the style they are adopting, a lot of new fans.
England tied the series, and won The Moral Ashes, even if the history books will say otherwise.
