Day 19 - The Ashes

Day 19 started with optimism, mainly for Staggie. Chaggie was off to go and see Day 3 of the First Ashes Test between Australia and England at 'The GABBA'. (A very impressive stadium)

The Aussies started the day trailing England by about 40 runs with 5 wickets in hand, England needed to keep them to below 300, idealy but this is England we are talking about, nothing is that easy. The two Aussie batsmen (Brad Haddin and Michael Hussey) at the crease at the start of the day, shared a 300 run partnership (staggering) before Haddin was dismissed at around 15.30. Yes, we sat there from 09.30 to 15.30 before we saw a wicket fall. It was a ridiculous partnership! The longest 6 hours Chaggie had ever spent that frustrated! Oh well, as much as it pains me to say it, fair play to the Aussies.

In between those horrible 6 hours, Chaggie had enjoyed a lovely lunch break, we both had chicken and chips - $9.90 however! - but at that point food seemed the only thing that would keep us sane! During the 6 hours of torture, the most entertaining thing that was going on in the stadium wasn't the cricket, it was the fans! Generally when you mix English and Aussie fans, with plenty of beer, you are going to get some funny stuff to see, such as beach balls being thrown around the ground, mexican waves, paper aeroplanes, amusing chants and the odd fan making a fool of themselves. So the 6 hours could have been worse.. well maybe.

After Haddin was dismissed for an impressive 136, the rest of the Aussie team quickly fell after him. His partner in crime, Mike Hussey went for a magnificent 195, 5 short of a double ton (poor guy). Our spirits were raised slightly as England started to perform better. Australia were finally bowled out for 480 odd, and England had a tough hour or so to bat out and try not to lose any wickets. They didn't and ended on 19-0, so lets hope England can find something special to save the game!

Even though the cricket didn't turn out as we'd hoped, we still very much enjoyed our day, even though it sounds as if we didn't! After the cricket we came back to Graeme and Lorraine's to enjoy a wonderful Lasagne, cooked by Lorraine, superb, before settling down to watch television. Now waiting for the England vs South Africa rugby game later tonight! Hopefully something to cheer!

Hopefully the weather is lovely again tomorrow and we can go on Graeme's magnificent boat! Fingers crossed!

Chaggie x