Cricket Update: Over a 100 year old rivalry- The Ashes Test cricket series played between England and Australia
Over the years, the global game of cricket has had a lot of major tours and series played between different teams, or all the teams of the world. Tournaments which are played to define the champions of a particular format of the game, such as the World Cup, represents the one-day internationals best team, while twenty20 World Cup is played to find out the best team in the 20 over game. The game itself was built up by the first three cricketing nations, namely Australia, England and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757. In these set of series, the Ashes is one of the most popular and famously watched series.
The Ashes is played between the Australians and the English, it is a test series with over 100 year old history. The Ashes represents and celebrates the rivalry between these two cricketing nation since 1882. The series is played alternately once in English territory and the other in the Aussie’s territory. The series caters for 5 breath-taking test matches. Test cricket is known to be the highest form of the game loved by millions around the world. The winning team claims the Ashes and in case of a drawn series, the country already holding the Ashes, retains them.
The series is named after a satirical obituary published in a British newspaper, “the body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia.” The English made such a big deal out of the second tour stating, “The quest to regain the Ashes,” hence the name was given to the series “the Ashes,” after the first encounter of the two cricketing giants.
In the beginning of the rivalry the English dominated the arena, even thought the first series ever was won by the Australian. However, as time has passed and the Aussies have become the Mighty Australians, the Ashes have been with the Aussies more than the English. The English received their first Ashes win at lords in 2009, prior to their previous win which was in 1934. The last few series have been dominated by the English. The last time these two cricketing giants met at the Ovals in 2009, the series finished with an emotional departure of English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff’s from test cricket. Flintoff was one the players which made sure that the English retain the series.
Now in 2010-11 the 128 year old rivals will meet again at the Gabba, Brisbane on 25 of November. Critics believe due to fact that the Aussies have not secured a win since years; pressure would definitely play on them. On the other end, the current cricketing tempo of both the teams suggests the Ashes would be peanuts for the hosts. Keeping in mind that over 64 series have been played yet, from which 31 wins for the Aussies and 28 wins for the Englishmen. Whereas, 5 series have been drawn between the two.
Not since 1986-87 have the English lifted the urn in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 and central theme of the hosts’ Ashes planning conference suggests they will let it happen again. Home advantage has been crucial in the past three series between the teams, but this time age could also be a determining factor in the campaign.
Led by veteran captain Ricky Ponting, the Aussies are very confident about nailing a victory yet again at home. Whereas, the young English side will once again be tested on foreign land. On the one hand, the English seem confident to the last two wins over the Aussies in the Ashes, on the other hand, the Aussies are pretty confident about their own game, plus the home advantage have really them going, practicing harder than ever. Whereas, the English are having the utmost test practice playing against the young Pakistani side.
As millions and millions of viewers are waiting for the 25th of November, 2010, one can just hope for the Ashes to be as entertaining as ever. Even though, the building up of the entire atmosphere is always naturally present. It is yet to be seen what the Ashes will have to offer this year. How its history has played on the minds of both the English, as well as the Aussie players.
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