Cricket

I read recently that the term "thrilling cricket" is an oxymoron. Perhaps - but the current Ashes test series between England and Australia may defy logic. Currently, and improbably, England leads the series two to one. The Ashes are a venerable series of "test" matches between England and Australia which began in 1877. The "ashes" in question are of a cricket ball used in the Third Test in 1882. Australia won this series in what is described as a "nail biting finish." Here's a description:

"England required 85 to win and it is recorded how Spofforth, during the ten minutes' interval, declared to his compatriots that `this thing can be done'. However, with the score at 51 for 2 and Grace still at the wicket, it looked unlikely. But when Grace was caught at mid-off for 32, the tempo of the game changed. Spofforth and Boyle delivered twelve successive maiden overs and England's target grew more and more elusive. We can imagine the cheers when Lyttleton finally scored a single, but four more maidens followed. Spofforth was not to be denied. England's last 5 wickets could manage only 7 runs and in his final 11 overs the Demon had conceded 2 runs and taken 4 wickets. One of the Australian players, Horan, recalled the tension of the last half hour. In the excitement one spectator `dropped down dead' and another gnawed out pieces from his umbrella handle. The lips of one English batsman as he made his way to the wicket were`ashen grey' and `his throat so parched he could hardly speak'. Clearly the `pressure' of a close Test match finish is not something restricted to the modern era. Spofforth, having taken 14 wickets in the match, was carried shoulder-high to the pavilion. "

If you don't understand all this - then check out this glossary of cricket terms. And for more info on the history of cricket - check here. By the way, I hope to return to the 1960 "tied test" later on.

In any event, in the fourth test of the current series, England very nearly suffered the same fate as their ancestors in 1882, but managed to escape with a victory. The fifth test is scheduled to begin September 8th - so stay tuned!!!