Bringing The Ashes Home

23/12/10 - 29/12/10

I arrived in Melbourne, slightly reluctant to leave Tasmania after my time there, especially after all the fun from the previous night, but that’s the way travelling goes. Sometimes you have a great time and want to stay amongst people and places, and sometimes it’s just time to move on. Fortunately for me I’d be meeting Robin (who I lived with in Manchester a short while ago) and RJ (a friend from several previous travels), so I wouldn‘t be without great company from the off. With the cricket due and the massive influx of Barmy Army followers, I knew I’d be in for a great time as well.

I used the time largely to catch up on some long overdue sleep after the West Coast and Tas adventures, but then Christmas quickly arrived, and so did the inevitable drinking. It never feels quite right being away from family, and with a distinct lack of decorations and holiday vibe, it feels more like any other summer day travelling than that particular special day. I can get over that though, and that’s why I’m here. I was actually looking more forward to Boxing Day and the fourth test than anything else. With the series tied, this would be the big one. I saw the England team training on Christmas Eve, and they looked in good shape. They were happy to acknowledge the fans, and looked ready for the coming days. It quickly became apparent that observation was a good one. Come Boxing Day we bowled them out for a poultry 98! In came Strauss and Cook and between the two, they bettered the score without loss. I was there for day two singing my head off with the Barmy and glugging down beer after beer as England smashed over a 400 first innings lead. We knew we’d got it in the bag by then.

Day 3 left little doubt as to who would be the victors, and Day 4 was more of a formality than anything else. England won by an innings and plenty of runs, and that was great to be amongst. I’d packed the St George’s cross with me, and wore it daily with a distinct, almost chavvy pride. Often stinking of ale and wobbling merrily around the Melbourne streets, it really had been a fabulous couple of days. It felt a darn sight more like I was in Manchester than anywhere else though. Obviously having Rob there was the main reason, but via a dose of serendipity in its finest form, both Skedge’s, Ash, and Gav - guys I used to play football with at Manchester University, were there too. It really did add that extra homeliness at the time of year when you probably are at your most pensive for being away.

I now leave for Sydney for New Year and the final test. All I want now is a series win, and I’ll be one very happy boy. Not in my lifetime have England won the Series on Australian soil, so please let this be the first. Hell, we deserve it!

Couple of acknowledgements this time:

Cheers RJ and family for looking after me for a couple of days - very much needed.

Gibbo - All the best and big congratulations from me; yes I’ll be back for your birthday, so see you in Feb. My round(s).

Andrew Strauss and co - nothing really needs to be said, but that was the reason why I came here! (I doubt that will ever be read by the appropriate people though ;-) )

“Everywhere we go. People ought to know. Who we are. Where we come from. Shall we tell them? Where we come from. We are the England. The mighty, mighty England. We are the army. The Barmy, Barmy Army.”