Al the Tog’s Trip Down Under

I thought it was supposed to be a uniquely British habit - queuing. Maybe it was a hangover from the wartime queues for food rations, and more recently for petrol, but the British seem to have the patience and discipline needed to endure long queues. This patience was put to the test in the Chinese airports at Beijing and Shanghai, where we had to queue when we landed, only to be shepherded straight out to get on a plane to the next destination.

Travelling with the Barmy Army has taken it a step further. On Christmas Day, we had to queue for our barbeque (a good move as it turned out because we avoided a torrential downpour), then for our 4th Test match tickets, then for our “free” shirts and hats. On New Year’s Day, we had to go to the Coogee Oval where the Barmy Army was playing against the Fanatics in a charity match. This was the place where we could collect our 5th Test tickets, so we had to queue once again. The patience and resilience shown by all was truly wonderful to behold.

In between, we queued to get a good place to see the New Year fireworks at Sydney Harbour, and we have since queued for many other things. Now we’re about to get the bus to Sydney airport for the long journey home, with an overnight stop in Beijing - more queues await no doubt.

Why they’re called the Barmy ArmyOriginally uploaded by Al the Tog.

Still cheering long after the game was over, the Barmy Army fans don’t seem to know the meaning of the word “defeat”.

That’s the word Aussies use when someone hits a 4. Well, Australia have now “tonked” England 4 - 0, with one more test to play.

Last night’s brief ray of hope when England had Australia reeling at 371 for 7 was as brief as the Melbourne sunshine has been all week. With Symonds out for 150-odd, Warne duly hit a quick 40 this morning, and then England had to bat again. Strauss and Cook survived a rather nervous start and were getting into their stride when Cook was out for 20, quickly followed by Bell and Pietersen. A quick flurry from Collingwood and an aggressive 25 from Flintoff only flattered to deceive. The best England performance of the day was Read’s 26 not out, and Monte Panesar’s 14.

I tell a lie - the best England performance was from the Barmy Army, singing their heads off long after the game was over, and out-singing the Australian fans throughout the game, despite the weather and the inevitable result. Hats off to the Barmy Army, then - if only the players could perform to the same standard!

Near the end of the day’s play, the sun did appear, and the cold wind dropped for the first time in 5 days. Until then it was a case of “Melbourne: nice city - shame about the weather”. Now it’s a very pleasant place to spend some time. More later.

Alex at the MCG

Barmy Army

Originally uploaded by Al the Tog.

Pic of Alex outside the MCG as the Barmy Army cheerleader was passing.

You’d never have thought England had just been “tonked” by Australia in less than 3 days.

Just a quick note to say we’re here in Melbourne, just when it is having its coldest Christmas for 101 years!

Still, we’re not here for the weather, are we? We’re here for the cricket. And it was like watching a match at Old Trafford on a cold and wet summer’s day. Sorry, didn’t mean to mention the weather again so soon! England are playing up to their usual standard - 159 all out, with Australia on 372 for 7 at the end of the second day!

Never mind, we’ve recovered from the 40-hour journey now, and enjoying seeing Melbourne, with its rich variety of ethnic restaurants and excellent integrated transport system. The hotel is very convenient, being about 15 minutes walk from the ground, and has good facilities, including a gym, pool, sauna and hot tub.

That’s all for now - hopefully more soon, and some pictures with any luck.

Miracle number 1

Since my brother pulled out of this trip with an ear infection just less than a week ago, I have been trying to field a substitute, and my preferred “12th man” is my 27-year old son, Alex (I’ll call him Big Al from now on, as he’s considerably taller than me). The effort so far has met with no success:

• (more…)
  Tags: 

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.”

(more…)