With The Ashes series over and only the pajama party remaining, its is timely to reflect on the role this great sporting rivalry plays between our two nations.
While The Ashes Trophy represents supremacy on the cricket field, holding The Ashes bestows upon the holders bragging rights until the next meetup.
After over 130 years of competition, the score is now 32-31 with 5 drawn in favour of the Australians. During this time both sides have enjoyed some memorable victories and some lamentable defeats.
I have enjoyed working and playing football with many Prisoners Of Mother England (they wont let me say the P word) and enjoy many long friendships to this day. Not many of these friends have ever been backward in being forward when it comes to letting me know who has the bragging rights.
My fist day in Leeds in 1981 was the very day Bob Willis demolished us to win from an unlikely position and my hosts took the opportunity to feed on the Aussie carcass like a pack of hungry sharks.
The secret though in giving it, means that one must also be able to take a bit and I've found that it's the tone of the voice which affects how any comments are taken. Generally, when there is a smile on the face and a beer in the hand, it matters little who is giving it to who. It matters more that "we" have what must be the longest sporting rivalries.
So with the bragging rights secured for the next 18 months, you can expect to hear a bit of well intentioned banter from some cocky Aussies. You might put on brave face and bring up some old victories, but deep down, you'll know that "they" have "them".
But by the time the next series comes around, both teams will have rebuilt considerably and hopefully we will see five day games and series settled on the final day of the final match.
Anyway, heres to The Ashes being fought over for the next 130 and more
PS Whats the difference between Alistair Cook and the undertaker?
I think you know the answer
Worlds Greatest Sporting Rivalry
posted on 6/1/14
I don't think you know what you are talking about. By this logic Australia were inferior to England and wouldn't have been able to win 5-0. Fact is aus could easily have won there last 2 series against south Africa and have only lost one test to Pakistan in the last 18 years.
posted on 6/1/14
You were claiming that Pakistan are useless and I just showed you that they were ranked higher then oz. You are the one that has no idea what they are talking about. And you keep talking about the last time oz played in SA. Who in those 2 series will be in SA next month? Stop living in the past, the teams have changed and SA has a much better team than oz, whether you like it or not, it's fact.
posted on 6/1/14
Stop strawmanning. Where did I say Pakistan were useless? How on earth is saying aus are better than pak but worse than sa an overestimation? A large number of the aus team will be the same and a few of the players are improved. Sa are not so much better aus will have no chance to win.
posted on 6/1/14
Were ranked higher than oz? So now aus r ranked higher the rankings don't matter? The rankings are not the be all and end all or have you not been paying attention these last 2 months. I'll give you a hint, England had a higher ranking than aus.
posted on 6/1/14
Dun,
Agree Pakistan batting line up us weak. We have younis and misbah? But who exactly do the Aussies have, minus Clarke?
Also, would you rate your bowlers (as a unit) better than Pakistan and Saffers? In my opinion, best bowling attacks in world ;
Saffers
Pak
Aussies ( would have been eng if swann was about)
Batting wise;
Saffers
No ideas- probably India but not really tried and tested yet except 1 good performance vs Saffers.
England???
posted on 6/1/14
Good to see you lot have been discussing the wonderful sporting rivalry between England and Australia that goes back over 130 years and the bragging rights attached to holding The Ashes by us mere mortals while I've been gone .
Meanwhile, did you hear about the English female twitchers club wanting to get into the Australian dressing room? They were hoping to see a cockatoo instead of the galahs in the other room .
PS Did anyone find drBantam yet? Hang on, I think I can see you lurking in the shadows there sport. Drop in for a cuppa mate and we can discuss Englands vastly superior batting
posted on 6/1/14
I think we can agree this is Pakistans best chance yo beat Australia in a long time, especially since the series is in the uae. I also think it's fair to point out that if Australia keep up this level of performance they can beat the daggers.
posted on 6/1/14
Saffers
posted on 8/1/14
Ozzie
Go jump off a bridge,prior will save you
posted on 9/1/14
I'd have to be Loaded to jump of a bridge with Prior below me Este. He'd probably drop me