Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 01:57 |
Cricket - Ashes !!
I confess - I am a sad 'cricket tragic' -
As a teenager had cricket photos on my wall not pop or film stars !! I was a Burler and Mender at Bairstows and even had photos stuck on to my mending table. !!!
However, in my defence, I followed the Yorkshire team around at the time and I was fortunate to grow up in the era of such greats as Freddie Truman, and my favourite batsman Doug Padgett...did I hear someone say - who ? - Douglas Ernest Vernon Padgett... 3 initials because his father thought every good Yorkshire batsman should have 3
In the middle of your atrocious weather we are watching England smash Australia. Today England got their second win !!! The Barmy Army was in full song - their trumpeter is the only one to be allowed to bring a musical instrument into the oval and the rain stayed away most of the time, we saw some brilliant batting (and bowling) from England.
It will not have been easy for you to follow the tests as they are the middle of the night, but rest assured the English team has some support out here.
Now if it was Rugby, sorry, England comes as my third choice after the Wallabies and the All Blacks.
Trivia I know, but I couldn't resist !!
Cheers folks, from the Sunshine Coast - but, we are flooded at the moment - LOL.
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Kevin McVay
Australia
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 06:42 |
sorry Brenda two tests gone and England have only won 1, don't get carried away just yet |
Andrew Monkhouse
Hanoi, Vietnam
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 09:43 |
Well I was walking in the city this morning around 10.00am and suddenly had a thought of wandering down to the Adelaide Oval to see England mop up the remaining Oz tail enders. But then realized I was parked in a 2 hour zone, so didn’t bother.
I needn’t have worried, it was all over within 90 minutes. Nothing will stop England from winning this Ashes series and in all probability the next 3 tests, not even the Melbourne weather (sorry Kevin!)
Incidentally, has anyone else noticed the little habit Ricky Ponting has of spitting into his hands and rubbing all the spag around before each and every ball is delivered? What’s all that about? |
Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 09:58 |
Kevin - You are correct of course, the first one was a draw - forgive me for being biased - but....England won the draw in my head but of course history will show it differently....
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David Laycock
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 00:00 |
Hi all,
You must have a naughty girl Brenda to get all that rain!! It's belting down (+thunder) here at the moment. God mustn't be happy with the Victorian farmers, 10 yrs drought, now floods and the locusts waiting in the wings!!!
Whako one nil. I'm a bit like you Brenda, I tend to back most others before the Aussies (they got a bit big headed). We used to like to watch the "Coloured English Gentlemen". Yesterday I started watching the Kiwis beat the Aussies at League (had recorded it and forgot I had) and, don't forget the English beat them at Union recently. |
David Laycock
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 00:01 |
Missed the "Mr.been" after have. |
David Laycock
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 00:08 |
Breda,
Forgot to tell you, I have Freddie's autograph twice from when he went to our Craven Cricket Dinner presentation night. He was never officially invited, but we all knew he would be there, and would be asked to give a talk! I can still remember some of his jokes!! |
Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Thursday, December 9, 2010 05:12 |
Hi David - skite !!!
Those were good days, and I wish I had kept all my stuff but disposed of most of it when we moved to South Africa in 1961. Do you know the weather must have been very different then, I don't remember getting wet at a match or travelling to a match and then finding it was rained off ! Not even in Manchester !!!!
Locally I remember the score box at Sutton, and feeling very privileged to be allowed up there to help - or on a good day filling in the score sheets.....or just watching and eating soggy tomato sandwiches for lunch.
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Kevin McVay
Australia
Sunday, December 19, 2010 06:42 |
although born and bred in yorkshire (the home of cricket) played for the school (South Craven) and Sutton second XI, i am very happy that Australia has now levelled the Ashes series and with 2 tests still to play it's anyones game. Sorry Brenda, i was only 14 when i left Sutton and after 40 years in oz, i'm afraid i support the "boxing kangaroo", but i still do have a flicker of emotion when any of Englands teams do well. PS who will ever forget the great Freddie Trueman, and of course my favourite Geoff Boycott. Thanks to my Grandma who was a great cricket fan, and helped me a lot, who took me to Headingley to see the 4th Ashes test, 2nd day, the end of the Aussie 1st innings and the english 1st dig. aaah the memories and whats more Boycott didn't open with John Edrich that day although my somewhat distant memories of the day was John Snows bowling |
Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Monday, December 20, 2010 01:23 |
Hi Kevin - To be honest I don't 'really' mind Australia getting one of the tests and keeping the competition open and alive - I will be more careful with my typing another time ...winning the second test..is what should have been typed. .... In all other sports I am not as loyal to the UK - but cricket - well that is different (plus I cannot abide R.Ponting)
We will be watching the next test with interest and excitement, but even a stalwart Australian supporter like you has to believe it is better for the game that Australia doesn't dominate completely. - no?... There has been some beautiful batting and spectacular and almost impossible fielding and that is what it is about.
Bring it on !!!! |
Alan Pickles
Bingley
Monday, December 20, 2010 17:14 |
Go for it Brenda. Glad that you are not afraid to let them know where your allegiance belongs. |
Bruce Walker
Australia
Monday, December 20, 2010 21:30 |
What a great topic, especially when we work and live alongside our age old cricket enemy. Having played 'A' grade here in the local competition for years until retirement from the 2 day game, I can tell you first hand that the art of sledging/insults starts and is perfected at the grass roots here. One sledge I remember while standing at second slip involved the batsmans mother and a door to door salesman. Gully shouts over to me, "Hey Pom, your a bit quiet over there"! my reply was, "He's there opening bowler and I'm our opening batsman"!! Enough said!! Insulting a players batting skills is one thing but I could never really agree with the other stuff. As a plumber dealing with cricket loving staff of plumbing outlet supplies here. I have had to take it and soak it up, especially the 5-0 Ashes loss last time around!! Well this time around I have used the age old defence of ATTACK and really kicked up the sledging so to speak, and for months prior to 'A' (Ashes) day!! Brisbane followed by the icing of Adelaide gave me more than enough ammunition to take care of any wise cracks!! BUT Monday morning following the WACA wacking I did get a serve or two as their spirits were lifted. I think the Boxing day test will have a green grassy wicket similar to the WACA. The Aussies really have to win at the G! So the more we hear 'The Barmy Army' sing the better placed we will be in the match. My Xmas prezzie, a ticket to the G!!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas from Geelong!! |
Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Friday, December 24, 2010 02:23 |
Whilst you are sleeping in the northern hemisphere we will be watching the start of the most important match of the Ashes series this season -
Go the Poms ! - Sing well the Barmy Army. -sorry Kevin.
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Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Sunday, December 26, 2010 03:32 |
Early Days - but - Australia all out for 98...42.5 overs - Prior - what a man !..!!
Still some play to go in Melbourne even on their advanced daylight time! - What can be better on a wet Boxing Day than watching good cricket. Go the Poms !! The Barmy Army have something to sing about today!
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Bruce Walker
Australia
Sunday, December 26, 2010 07:22 |
It's all over bar the presentation Brenda. There is no coming back from this, possible i hear you say but not this test match. No side has ever started this badly on the first day and ever won. With good weather forecast even that can't save the Aussies. Strauss and the boys have the foot on the throat and rest assured they will not relent until the job is done!! |
Andrew Monkhouse
Hanoi, Vietnam
Monday, December 27, 2010 00:39 |
Barmy Army.....Barmy Army.....Barmy Army.....Barmy Army.....Whooo Hooooooo!!!!! |
Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Monday, December 27, 2010 09:49 |
Oh dear, how sad, never mind! |
Kevin McVay
Australia
Monday, December 27, 2010 22:35 |
hi everyone, yes, i think the ashes are going back to the UK after two dreadful days of cricket from the aussies, good luck and well played to the poms. One thing i am upset about, or annoyed at, is the unsportsmanship of Ricky Ponting, the sooner he goes the better, unfortunately there's no one else capable of taking over at the moment. The "bring back Shane Warne" chorus is not gonna work neither! So from a single voice on here, in a little timid sqeak, aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi cheers :) |
Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Monday, December 27, 2010 23:23 |
Hi Kevin - Thank you for your input - you have kept the subject alive - and I have to agree re petulant Ponting, but, as you say who will take over - my pick would be Haddin or Hussey....?? Pup isnt up to it although he has had to be the spokesperson for 'P'..!! |
Ian Park
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 09:50 |
christmas greetings from a suttoner who is happy to see that many of the people i knew and grew up with ( mr. monkhouse and mr.walker) are still keeping in touch with the mother country.
What a nice feeling to see on the tele that for once we are doing something right in the sports world and showing the rest of the world how cricket should be played and bringing back a bit of pride to this country.
To all you suttoner's out there be you in oz, new zealand or canada all the best for the new year and always be proud of your roots.
Ian Park |
David Laycock
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 10:26 |
Thanks Ian,
Let's not count our chickens before they hatch, but let's stick it up them. |
Andrew Monkhouse
Hanoi, Vietnam
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 10:59 |
Bye bye Ricky, happy new year cobber |
Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 01:02 |
It is now 11.50am 'soggy' Queensland time - just after 11.00am we opened a bottle of unoaked Marlborough Chardonnay - a little early in the day you may think - but - excusing what may be an 'alcho-lexic' forum posting - we had to celebrate the retention of the Ashes by England.
OK, Ok there may be one match to go to actually win the series but the ashes stay with England!
Thank you David, Andrew, Kevin and Bruce as the expats and thank you Alan and Ian as UK residents... for your input to the item. I have enjoyed the comments nearly as much as the cricket. I suspect it is difficult when you are knee deep in snow and it is the middle of the night for many folks in England to be enthusiastic about summer cricket down under - but just imagine what it is like.
Around 90,000 spectators on the first day in Melbourne at the MCG - then, even when the chips are down there are over 13.000 spectators to see the final wickets fall, (although not many Aussies, bless 'em) ! - those numbers are just incredible and any UK cricket ground would give its eye teeth to see numbers like that through the gates... The English team are blessed with such enthusiastic support like the 'Barmy Army' travelling to the other end of the globe to support them - however, they have had sunshine instead of snow to make them thirsty! They will have a great night tonight I am sure.
Thanks again folks for your input - aussie aussie aussie - dear dear dear...! and s you said Andrew ..... bye bye Ricky bye bye bye bye.
x
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Andrew Monkhouse
Hanoi, Vietnam
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 02:54 |
Well I’m not sure who the next Oz skipper will be (they don’t really have one), but let’s hope he can afford to buy a razor on his $3.5 million salary, lose the gum, accept 3rd umpiring decisions and not SPAG INTO HIS HANDS all day long. |
Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 01:12 |
As I type it is the middle of the night for you but….for those of you who are waking to a transformed SCG and at the risk of being an absolute bore I have to comment on the 5th Ashes test – and importantly the 3rd day.
This is the Jane McGrath Day – the McGrath Foundation established by Jane (an incredibly brave and delightful English lady) and her Australian husband Glenn before Jane died of breast cancer. The foundation provides specialised nursing for breast cancer patients and from a mere 3 nurses, thanks to the foundation they now have 61.
The day is spectacular and PINK – the spectators have done the day proud and the biggest percentage has arrived wearing something pink, and that is both men and women. - the commentators have pink suits/jackets the scoreboard has pink lettering, the stumps are pink, the Aussie cricketers have pink laces in their shoes, Vodafone, changed all their promo signs, for the duration of the test, to pink and adidas produced shirts for both teams with a pink adidas logo.
I have just watched Slater win the ‘pink pigeon’ race – an annual event too. English commentators Hussein and Holding are wearing pink bandanas…we got a quick glimpse of them …. Unfortunately we are not seeing or hearing much of the Barmy Army – well not since the first test really – I can’t imagine why not ! ! ! So I can’t comment on their dress today – but, you can be pretty sure they are in the swing of things too. Even the new bronze statue unveiled today had a pink bandana around the neck!
Oh – and the score – well England are still batting and have their foot on the pedal after easing it a bit when Australia were down to the last men standing..! Cook is up to his usual high performance and it is great to watch –
Happy New year everyone from a wet Queensland.
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Andrew Monkhouse
Hanoi, Vietnam
Friday, January 7, 2011 10:40 |
So England has retained the Ashes in Australia, as Tommy Cooper, Frank Carson and Paul Daniels would have said “just like that”, “It’s a cracker” and “You’ll like this, not a lot”
I can still hear the Barmy Army today singing “God save YOUR gracious queen”
RIPPER! |
David Laycock
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 11:11 |
Oh dear number 8 I believe? |
Andrew Monkhouse
Hanoi, Vietnam
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 12:37 |
You sound surprised David! |
David Laycock
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 18:07 |
Not really Andrew. Maybe I'm getting a little sarcastic, as the aussies used to brag so much in their heyday, I only saw the last 40-50 runs and thought they were cruising in, but it nearly got away from them! I'm sure our Qld. tragic will make a comment or may be she is a purist? stir, stir!!! |
David Laycock
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 18:10 |
Hi Brenda, I nearly forgot to ask if you are ok up their on the Sunshine? coast? Have you been affected? |
Brenda Whitaker was Grime
Queensland Australia
Thursday, January 13, 2011 05:07 |
Hi guys - its the old QLD tragic here - like you Andrew I only caught the last bit - with two young grandchildren from NZL here on holida, watching cricket is more difficult - no I'm not a purist but I prefer the one 'dayer' to 2020...Anyway, the panic attack brought on by the last couple of overs meant I had to be revived with a drink when they made it with one ball to spare...Darn!
Yes we are OK on the Sunshine Coast David - a bit wet round the edges and lots of water on our garden from the lake but - hey - we are so close to all the devastation around us we cannot and will not complain. The worst that is happening to us is a shortage of fresh food and milk - ...no milk, so I will have to drink wine !!!
Sunshine Coast you get sunshine much of the time - Gold Coast, well you don't get gold do you ??
Our hearts and thoughts are with all who are suffering such loss and we just hope that the fears for further loss of life are unfounded.
Thanks for your thoughts David. |
