Cricket Update: Ashes 2010- England’s Ashes parade seems bleak
England will be looking forward to celebrate with their fans back home but the decision to stage a victory parade is left on the last Test in Sydney.
Even if England clinches the Ashes series, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will be finding it hard to squeeze in a celebration event as the World Cup preparations will be up on the heels.
The last test match is scheduled to begin from January 3rd that would be followed by a two match Twenty20 series from January 12th. After the limited overs series, an exhaustive seven match One Day International (ODI) series will be
held against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746. The ODI series will wrap up on February 6th.
The squad are scheduled to return from the land down under on February 8th. Many senior players along with successful captain Andrew Strauss will only have about four days at home. England will be flying out to the sub-continent to begin their
World Cup preparations on February 12th. The World Cup will begin from February 19th and England will be playing their first match on February 22nd against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753.
England will also be playing their World Cup warm matches against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. Even if the ECB decide to stage the event in the ten day gap between the last ODI against the Aussies and the warm up matches, it would be difficult for the players
to ward off the jet lag.
In between their busy schedule, the ECB will struggle to repeat their 2005 Ashes victory parade. But sources in the ECB state that the board is planning a huge event as England has retained the urn for the first time in twenty-four years on Australian soil.
An ECB spokesman stated in a statement that “We are not making any firm plans at this stage and will review the position after the final Test.”
England celebrated in style following their 2005 triumph when the now retired Andrew Flintoff headlined the alcohol-ridden event. However, the low key Strauss and the disciplined management of Coach Andy Flower might slow down the celebrations. The coach
especially mentioned that the players would likely to spend the small amount of time with their families.
The victory parade is a huge money-raking event in British media. The potential parade is being seen as a welcome breakthrough in the on-going dispute between the ECB and Sky Sport. It is expected that the squad will be seen on an open-top bus welcoming
celebration.
However, before that, they need to attend a major piece of unfinished business. England are about to end their second consecutive calendar year on a high as they have already retained the Ashes trophy and title yet Strauss and his men are looking forward
to a series sweep against Australia.
Tags: