The Ashes have come home! Not that they ever leave this country whether we win or lose but that’s not the point!
The stage had been set for an enthralling day and what a day it turned out to be! The sun hasn’t exactly been a frequent visitor this summer but there was no escaping it at the Brit Oval, not that everyone was trying to avoid it! Having spent most of the day engaged in some healthy “discussions” with a bunch of Aussies sat behind me, I noticed a mixture of supporters watching the drama unfold from their balcony overlooking the stadium. There’s something quite special about the Ashes and it’s the supporters of both teams that play a major role in making it that way. It’s a stereotypical love hate relationship steeped in history but ultimately good humored.
Although there is an intense rivalry between the two sets of supporters there is also nothing quite like the banter. With the advent of the Barmy Army it’s become an art form through years and years of practice. Having been dominated on the field by our arch-enemies far too often, we’ve often had to settle for being the superior power in the art of banter. Not so this time!!
The game was so far out of the Aussies reach that surely the only result possible was an emphatic English victory. Or was it? Supporting England in any sport can be a stressful and uneasy experience. Always full of expectation shortly followed by the dawning realisation that we’re actually quite average and prone to losing spectacularly.
After enduring a moderately terrifying few hours watching them accumulate runs seemingly at ease, it seemed that the impossible run chase was now a definite possibility. Enter Fred! A moment of genius signaled the end of the Aussie resistance. After the run out of Ponting, wickets began to tumble and it was just a matter of time before the world’s smallest trophy returned home. With only about 30 minutes of play left the last wicket fell sparking absolute bedlam on and off the pitch! A truly memorable experience.
The massive, if not slightly surreal banners all around the ground were perhaps quite fitting for the occasion. Finally the cricketing ghosts of Ashes past were being laid to rest.
