I Don’t Understand The Cricket

Australia 268 all out; England 29 for 0.

Ashes Third Test, Perth, Day 1 of 5.  England lead the series 1-0.

It’s not cricket that I don’t understand; it’s this cricket.  England should struggle mightily against Australia in England, and when they pull out an Ashes victory (e.g. 2005, 2009) they should be classic, close-faught affairs that serve as an “advert for the sport”.  Indeed it was watching the 2005 series that hooked me.  In Australia, England should lose, be it 4-1 as in 2002-03, 3-1 as in 1998-99, or the somewhat humiliating 5-0 as in 2006-07.

This, on the other hand, is not part of the script.  England winning a test match by an entire innings?  In Australia?  So dominating a performance that the Ozzies were seriously considering bringing their very own Brett Favre out of retirement?  In between the second and third tests, the Shane Warne story was the story from the Australia camp.  While still semi-active at 41, he hasn’t participated in a full test match since 2007, so it was a long shot, and probably better for all concerned that he didn’t come out of retirement.  Nevertheless, it’s becoming quite apparent that Australia aren’t the same without Warne and Glenn McGrath.  Whereas in the past Australia simply reloaded, now they’re rebuilding.

I don’t think every test will be close to the second in Adelaide, but the odds of England retaining the Ashes for the first time in a long time are excellent.  As the current holders, all they need to do is draw the series.  1-1 would suffice with three draws.

As for Adelaide, I’d have loved to have been there, if only for my love of Coopers Brewery, which from my old brewing incarnation still ranks as one of my favorite breweries.