The Ashes Test 2005

"Do I get the multiple-cliche award?"

Certainly. Swap it for the ashes?

Tried on another thread to get some American German and French input (Setanta Walter Francis) into this so for their benefit I must explain that play has stopped for Lunch.

So that's another aspect of human activity - gastronomy - which is an integral part of cricket besides all its other attributes.

Australia 97 - 5.

What's for lunch for the Aussies? Crow followed by humble pie?

Long way to go yet. 5 days. And I thought a game of footy was long at 100 minutes

I liike the Oval. I used to live just off Kennington Park Road when I was a toddler. Are those flats still there or have they been knocked down?

No I think they're still there. They have a preservation order on them and a blue plaque "Goodfielder Lived Here...."

Regarding Aussie lunch menu....

it wont be humble pie just yet. Lets hope they break open a few tinnies to cheer themselves up

On the flats - good stuff (they must have protected them along with the gasometers)

Lunch - if they get on the VB it's all over for Oz.

I am not even listening to the cricket on the radio but when I hit the cot I will listen to the BBC World Service for a while.

and for any newcomers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4700181.stm

I think there should be a rule change over lunch. 5 day test matches are far too long. The winner should be declared after 150 minutes play from the first ball.

Go for broke!

Christopher Martin-Jenkins just describing a seagul.

Ornithology....another aspect of cricket

100 -5

well done Australia you made 3 figures

You want to know about seagulls and cricket? Adelaide Oval

attacking field

4 slips and a sea gully

sea gully moved to silly mid-on when struck by ball

sea gully not au fait with le McGrath

goodf owe you an apology for (tentative) gloating earlier

cant believe it

off to bed

but not really down hearted,

I woke up this morning and couldn't believe what I was hearing on the radio. Hah if you think can gloat Steve you should hear Aussie radio!

most of the commentators seem to be Aussies. You can see their grins on the radio.

However we got within 35 runs I think.

But now Australia need a big opening partnership...

Never been so puzzled on a thread...

<what's this about?>

Francis, I am afraid, that simply by being French, we cannot explain this to you under section 3 of the Great British Sports Secrecy act 1922.

Yes, I better stay ignorant but as I was invited to this thread...

Well, Francis, at the risk of me being sent to the Tower at her Majesty's pleasure, it is basically about a series of cricket matches between England and Australia, and the winner gets to keep a small vessel containing the ashes of some very famous Stumps.
Dont ask me what stumps are, as that is highly classified information.

My liberty is now at risk.

Is this the year 2005 winner?

And you are most welcome Francis.

It all began a long time ago when we founded a penal colony a long way away, for people who insisted in playing cricket, at that time banned in England, as it kept people from archery practise.

Anyway the centuries rolled by and genteel society in England decided to play the game as a way of passing time between meals and tea drinking.

There was a nasty incident in 1882 when W G Grace's beard caught fire (he used to smoke a pipe while batting) and unfortunately he burned to death. His ashes were put in a small urn and sent to Australia. This was later found not be his wish, so every so often we play the modern game of cricket, (with special non flammable clothing) with a team of ruffians who call themselves "Aussies".

Thats all I know of the history of the game, hope it helps.