Fee Fie Foe Fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman! I admit it, I am mean spirited, passionate and want revenge, not because I want to see Freddie's team humiliated, they seem to be a lovely bunch of fellas maybe with the exception of KP, can't quite take to him, but because of the way the last Ashes was rubbed and dubbed into our noses because we lost. (by two runs.) It was the best test cricket I had seen, nail biting stuff only to be ruined by the way England handled it. So 2009 we can have the nail biting stuff again but this year I want a complete annihilation! and maybe England will learn not to rattle the Aussie spirit and win gracefully. As someone put it - Dad's Army 4 - Dud's Army 0 although Dud does seem a little harsh, I have to keep in mind they started it and yes believe it or not, it really is an adult typing this and yes I am ashamed of myself BUT
GO the GREEN and GOLD!

I hope we remember well the halcyon days of Australian Cricket! I had my sookie moment as Shane Warne and Glen McGrath made their final bow at Melbourne Cricket Ground. As Aussies we couldn't ask more from our team, a lead of 4.0 in the Ashes Series is a great performance. Whatever happens in Sydney, it will be no doubt a very emotional experience, for me at least. All our bowlers deserve accolades for this test but very sad to see them go.

S.K.Warne

Always sad to see a great man go, and how much did he give Australian cricket, world cricket for that matter.
A truly great entertainer and I am so happy I was able to see him play. And as numerous people have remarked we will miss the cry of "Bowled Warnie" from Gilly at the stumps. Did have a laugh though, when it was suggested a stand at the MCG be named after him and some wit said it would become the Shane Warne One Night Stand! This era of Australian Cricket has been exceptional and we are so lucky to have so many standing in the wings awaiting selection. Although there are a couple of spin bowlers under the same coach as Warnie, I doubt we will ever see the likes of him again for a long time. I only hope as I think he will, pass on his knowledge to the young'uns coming through the ranks.
Makes the next two Ashes tests very exciting to be seeing him perform for the last time in test cricket. Can't wait for Boxing day, feel like skipping Christmas altogether!

The Ashes are ours, and after reading some of the comments from the English on the cricket sites I am incredibly glad we did. Our noses were rubbed into it after the 2005 tests, the only ashes test we have lost in 18 years and now "it is just a game"..according to some of them, fair enough but after the overboard celebrations of their win back then, I think that may be a bit rich. Not a lot of acknowledgment for the better team winning either (by a big margin, I might add, not like the thinnest of margins won in the last Ashes.) The ageist remarks about our team of champions are never ending, what do they really need to do to show they are playing at peak performance, win 16 out of 15 test matches?, that's been done, win the ICC champions trophy? that's been done too. Beat England at their own game?? well I think that has been successfully achieved. Please give credit where credit is due, we did 15 months ago. Someone even remarked the Aussies weren't a good team! Must have been drinking or on pot at the time..

I love Monty Panessar, he is a battler, unflagging in his bowling and on the field. Freddie Flintoff was a hero last time, Kevin Peterson is a very fine batsman. Collingwood proved he can do it, Alistair Cook, now there is a great young up and coming batsman....there, that didn't hurt a bit.

I saw a documentary on an Australian joining the Barmy Army, it was great and what great people they are, wish we had the same sort of support they give their team. The next episode is on Wednesday night and features Perth test, looking forward to it.

And I am looking forward to the Boxing day match stress free....

What a West Australian, what a player! Adam Gilchrist knocked my socks off with his batting yesterday. Anyone who likes cricket would have appreciated his performance, he became the second highest player to reach a hundred in the quickest time, and he was unaware of the fact he could have beaten the great Viv Richards record (West Indies) and when he was made aware of it after the game he said Viv deserved to have the honours of being the worlds must destuctive batsman. I just love him! I was getting very worried the Perth test was heading for a draw or England win (Which of course may still happen with one day to go) but Ooh Ahh Glen McGrath pitched in and got two late wickets so England ended up with 5 down at stumps. May make the task a little easier to win back the ashes tomorrow. If not then we will have to wait for the Boxing Day match, hope not though because if we win them back this test, I will be able to sit back and relax and enjoy whatever is dished up on Boxing Day!

Ashes Tour 2006

I have been avidly following the Ashes Tour as one might expect from a cricket lover. Everything is put on hold while I nail bite my way through the tests. That may seem a bit silly as we are two up on England but anything can happen and there are more twists and turns in a game of cricket that in the streets of old Fez. The Adelaide test was riveting, although at one time seemed like a dreary draw but that was going to be better than England winning. What a turn around that was for Australia to come up from behind and have a miraculous win.

I'm afraid when it comes to Australia playing as far as I am concerned when Aus is in we must win and like Glen McGrath, give nothing. But having said that my heart went out to Freddy Flintoff (only after the game had finished, of course) he looked so dejected. Although I am the one eyed parochial, I do enjoy good cricket and love close games but at the end of the day feel just like Freddie if we don't win. It is astounding the emotions the game can cause, up one minute, down the next as someone bites the dust.

I can never feel optimistic about the game, until it is done and dusted. Adelaide proved that nothing can be taken for granted. Now it is heading to my home city Perth and starts on Thursday, and I will not rest until we have won that.
So, bring it on!!

I have a busy year ahead, hopefully a trip to Canada in July where I plan to stay in Toronto for a few days then catch the train to go over the Rockies to Vancouver then a cruise up to Alaska and then back to Vancouver. While in Toronto I take a side trip and visit Niagra Falls although some reports say it is disappointing but I would rather find out for myself. In September for my birthday a group of us will be going hot air ballooning which is in a town about 2 hours drive from us, something I have always wanted to do, but still terrified. After Christmas a trip to Cuba is planned. Cuba is seemingly the new hot destination. So, no social life while the vacation saving is on once again! It's a rather ambitious year of travelling but I suppose one of the advantages of living in a small town is being able to knuckle down and save and it is all worth it in the end. I would rather forgo any other activity for an overseas trip. My grandmother was a great traveller back in the 1940's and went around in those pretty dodgy planes, I have to say she has my greatest admiration.