The Ashes 2010 Australian Idol or Ashes Top Gun?
The web definition of Ashes states that it “is a Test cricket series between England and Australia” which is deemed as one of the “cricket’s most celebrated rivalries” dating back to 1882.
It sure is true that it is one of the most awaited clashes between the two countries. Pre-Ashes hype has started the war of words before the actual battle. The players of both the countries start their verbal onslaught on each other whereas fans and the
non-fans retreat to insults to the rival teams supporters and non-supporters.
The hype also includes using the media as a new place to continue their banter such as the micro-blogging website Twitter. The England Cricket Board (ECB) officially limited the use of the site during the 2010 Ashes as to avoid any controversy. The Ashes
also gives a shining opportunity to the wannabe singers to churn out the worst sports songs ever (referring to Tuffers and the Wooden Urns “The Ashes” song).
The Ashes alternate between Australia and United Kingdom, varying between the summer Ashes and the winter Ashes- owing to the weather of both the countries. This year the Ashes are taking place in the land Down Under and it seems that the Aussies are already
going bonkers.
The pre-Ashes hype was aptly created with a promotional stunt on London’s historic landmark, Big Ben, as the England team got ready to leave for Australia. A holographic image of Aussie captain Ricky Ponting and vice captain Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 was projected
on the tall building, issuing a warning to the Poms to “pack the urn”. Everything seemed usual until then.
As the World is counting days to the Ashes 2010, Cricket Australia (CA) is slowly losing their mind. They announced an insanely larger squad for a home series- a 17 man preliminary team earlier this week. Anyone who knows “how to pick up a bat and ball”
is included in the squad. Some people going so far as to declare that the entire Australian continent has been included in the “preliminary squad”.
However, the 17 man squad is not the only point to ponder about. The fact that CA conducted the announcement in a glitzy fashion is beyond imagination. The 17-man team was announced amidst commercial pressure from the Ashes 2010 official sponsors. The razzamatazz
affair was being held in the very elegant Sydney Opera House.
The Ashes Australian Idol started when the first round of auditions were being administered last week as the selectors were overlooking the team’s fitness and form. This did not matter as clearly the selection committee needed players who could add value
to the final Ashes showdown with a twist. The twist being the Sheffield Shield matches where the top players are struggling to hold their ground.
The final “ticket to Brisbane” was handed over by the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch who imitated Simon http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Cowell-c51632 in its true sense. The selected contestants were being called out by Cowell-sorry Hilditch- at the steps of Opera House as the people of
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 had the chance to witness the “historic moment” live! How privileged they must have felt!
Hilditch agreed to be a part of Ashes Idol as he himself wanted to have an “Ashes” moment as he announced the “selected” players and they emerged from flaming screens. Oh and there was also a live audience in the “studio” that hooted and clapped and booed
where it seemed appropriate.
The Aussies are also turning to the Scientologist guru, Tom Cruise, to have a one-on-one with the chosen players. But it seems that Cruise was busy cruising down the Jumeirah beach as he was shooting for Mission Impossible 4. Therefore, he referred them
to former Top Gun “fighter pilots” to build on their teamwork. The former pilots have been called up to improve the team’s “fragile” dynamics.
This means that they would be having a five minute debrief discussion model after every play day like the fighter pilots follow. Now the captain of the ship would be responsible to carry out pep talks with each member to understand how they feel about the
day’s developments and what issues they have with it. This is being done in order to have a “flawless execution” on Boxing Day.
It all seems a bit weird to hear that instead of considering the under rated Australian players, CA is taking out time to rake in millions of dollars to telecast something during the morning shows, filling in time with the sponsor slots and looking towards
the sky for team building.
Move over Tom Cruise and Guy Sebastian, Ricky Ponting and his men are ready to give you guys a run for your money.
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