England set off to Australia to retain Ashes tonight.

We look forward to "welcoming" the boys.

We'll see you soon..

After narrowly scraping a victory against the West Indies in the ICC Champions Trophy final, I am even more confident of an easy victory for England in the upcoming Ashes series.

The Aussies just don't look up to the job!

At this rate we might even have to bring that old banger Shane Warne back into the side!

Steve

Dads Army, Steve, Dads Army. And you don't win anything with old boys, do you?

Mark

That's right, just imagine Glenn McGrath tottering in from one end and Shane Warne wobbling in from the other. Your lot will be laughing too much to bat properly

Steve

England warming up nicely for the forthcoming series.

We mustn't get carried away and lose by too much though, or the Aussies will twig we are doing it on purpose.

Yes clearly we are doing an expert job of lulling the Aussies into a false sense of security...

Careful lads......they'll be starting to get worried!

See Trescothick doesn't fancy it!

Let's hope it's as great a contest as last time. I'm just worried about getting any sleep in between watching it and working.

One thing that might be interesting is if the pitches suit Warne, they will likely suit Monty! That toss takes on more significance.

Regards,

Steve.

That's if they play Monty, Steve. I have a suspicion they may 'play safe' with Ashley Giles.

Mark

In the rather hurriedly put together 1948 Olympics, the winning Leander Eight in the blue riband Grand Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta was selected as the GB Eight.

The Leander Club is famous for its cerise socks (and indeed ties, but in this context it is the socks that matter).

The Aussie Eight, attempted to unsettle the minds of the 'soft, pink-sock wearing pommy poofters' (I here use 'poofters' in the technical Python "Rule Number One" sense of the word):

"Why do you wear pink socks?" (hee hee)

"Because we're proud of our ankles" (said in a stiff upper lip kind of way).

"So, why are you so proud of your ankles?"

(said in an equally stiff upper lip kind of way):
"Because they've never had chains on them."


PINK SOCKS - that's the answer (c'mon - they can't do any harm...)

James

James

That's it! If all the England players wear pink socks (with flannels tucked in for full effect) the aussies will be laughing so hard we'll whack them all over the place!

Mark

Exactly!

now it's war!

Steve

My favourite sledge this summer, probably a well worn joke but we fell about laughing and it really wound the batsman up.

Batsman comes to crease, whilst marking his guard short leg says; 'Oi mate, you wanna be careful, you've got a bit of sh*t stuck to the end of yer bat.' Batsman looks curiously at toe of bat. 'No mate, other end'

quote:

Originally posted by Yo-yo Master:
now it's war!

Steve

Oops!

Follow the Ashes here.

First test starts on Thursday.

The final warm up match against South Australia ended in a draw. What a surprise! You would have thought a 3 day test would produce a result!

Still, on to the series proper now and what should be an easy time against 'Dads Army'.

Well..unless I'm missing something, it seems BBC2 have got the rights to show highlights of each day's play - which is good news...as long as such days do not consist of England being routinely slaughtered by rampant Aussies.....

...also you've got the radio commentary Radio 4 and BBC5 live sport extra on DAB.

JonR

have some faith - the England Test team doesn't get 'slaughtered' by anyone any more...

They know more how to win these days than how to lose...

They have taken that mantle over from the RU team..

Ha ha Andy, your last comment is the clue to my customary pessimism. I really want us to well, it's just that playing in Australia, with McGrath and Warne in full flight, Gillespie back on song, a brace of new fast bowlers at Australia's disposal as well, I just think the odds are against us, somewhat.

We'll never know of course though, until play actually gets under way. So I'll try and keep an open mind....until maybe the end of the first Test!

quote:

Originally posted by JonR:
...it's just that playing in Australia, with McGrath and Warne in full flight, Gillespie back on song,

As I said, Jon, dad's army!

No-one wins major trophies with old codgers, do they?!!

England will be coming home with The Ashes still in their possession.

Mark