Al the Tog’s Trip Down Under

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:

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Big Bro’ has an ear infection and has to see an ENT consultant. Unfortunately, the earliest date available is the day we were due to travel, so Big Bro’ has had to cancel his trip.

I’m hoping Barmy Army Travel will allow me to field a substitute. Given that they’ve not so far managed to send out the travel information, including flight tickets, there is hope yet.

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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Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold:
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire.

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.

From Milton, a poem in two Books (1804-1808) by
William Blake.

If you are keen to read something of the background to the song/hymn, Jerusalem , look at the Wikipedia entry.

The year 1882 will be engraved on my memory for years to come, not that I was around at the time, of course. In case you didn’t know, 1882 was when a touring Australian cricket team first beat England on home soil. England, with the legendary WG Grace in their ranks, lost by seven runs, Aussie fast bowler Fred Spofforth taking 14 wickets for 90 runs.

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