Al the Tog’s Trip Down Under

Speechless! Dumbstruck! Foaming at the mouth! I should be all of these things, but I’m not - I’m simply very disappointed.

I should be angry - a draw here at Adelaide and a win at Perth would have made the series a real contest, and the free tickets to see the Melbourne and Sydney tests would have been truly prized possessions. Now? I’d find it hard to give them away!

Am I angry? Initially I was, but that’s not the British way, is it? You see, we’re very good at coming second, and not at all used to winning. Indeed, sometimes we despise those who put winning above all else. In fact, it’s really quite good to come second in most sports. Admittedly, coming second in a two horse race isn’t a big achievement, but it’s the taking part that counts - isn’t it?

The thing is, I can’t get too steamed up about them snatching defeat from the jaws of victory (ok, non-defeat). Why? Because I wouldn’t be able to do any better than the 11 on the field. Mind you, I’m not a professional cricketer taking home between £250,000 and £400,000 in wages, so perhaps that has something to do with it.

Bitter? Me?

Well done, Colly! First England player for 70 years to score a test double century in Australia.

With Pietersen showing admirable restraint, Collingwood made his highest first class career score to gain the psychological upper hand against the Aussies. NOW we can breathe more easily and even think in terms of success! Aggers - you’re off the hook, this time at least!

There are two good interviews on the BBC website.

That’s all we need! Another ill-timed ringing endorsement of an England player by Jonathan Agnew:

“Collingwood is enjoying a remarkable year, proving the doubters - including Geoff Boycott - that he has what it takes to succeed at this level”

and

“… surely tomorrow he will complete his first Ashes hundred.”

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