Things I Know About Cricket

 While Australia is rugging up for winter England is enjoy all the sunshine and fun that comes from summer. And with summer comes cricket. Specifically The Ashes.

Growing up cricket was a much loved past time. And by that I mean watching cricket on the TV was a much loved past time. Actually watching Australia play anything they were good at was a much loved past time.

When I was about fourteen, the then Australian cricket team came to town. It was beyond exciting because I live a million miles from anywhere and back then no one interesting ever came to town. In fact it was such an exciting time that mum actually gave me the day off school so I could go and watch them play.

Walking around the grounds that day was one of the coolest times in my life. I was beyond uber cool (only in my own lunch box of course). Even now I can vividly recall what I was wearing. A pair of dog  tooth print shorts and a long sleeve button up shirt that was tied in a knot above my belly button and had the sleeves rolled up in case you were wondering

image from here
Yeah shorts like this. God love the 90's

During the early nineties Australian cricket was booming with talent. The likes of Shane Warne were just starting to shine through while long time stalwarts like Dean Jones continued to do their country proud. Even if it was short lived with Jones being dropped from the test side shortly after this tour.

For this wide eyed and easily star struck girl seeing these big names was more than a highlight. As a cricket loving child in the eighties Deano was one of my most favourite cricketers ever. With his birthday just a day after mine I was certain that meant some kind of special connection between us. Even just thinking about it now I can feel my heart start to pound like it did as I stood there waiting outside the players change room to in the hope of an autograph.

As it turned out I didn't have to go looking for some of the stars as they just happened to find me in the crowd. One particular player, who may have gone on later in life to face some texting dramas, took it upon himself to help me eat my ice cream. While a much older and more established player informed me of what a heart breaker I would grow up to be. Followed by the somewhat suggestive comment of how he wished I were a few years older. You and me both mister.

Oh my beating heart be still!

It is no wonder then that from there a lot of my cricket infatuation was based on how attractive I thought the player to be. Oh me oh my though there sure were some hotties over the years.

By the time I reached my early twenties my interest had dwindled somewhat. Having said that though I would still excitedly watch a live game whenever it came to town. By now the likes of Brett Lee were taking the field and the Waugh brothers dominated and led the team to many a victory.

Somewhere along the line Ricky Ponting was given the reigns and what ever interest I had in the game all but disappeared. The team was filled with too many names I no longer recognised and not enough faces that appealed to my sexual desires. The fact we could no longer convincingly win didn't help the matter either. Suddenly my cricket watching days were over

Or at least they were.

Wednesday night saw the first day of the first Ashes test begin. Australia demolished the English batting line up. There was hope and excitement. Which of course was quickly dashed by James Anderson. A British bowling powerhouse that has me got me all a gaga. Till I remember he plays for the wrong team.

I may no longer know any of the players but there is something about this series that has reignited my love of the game. The likes of Anderson and debutante Ashton Agar may or may not have everything to do with it. Either I am excited and can't wait to see Australia return The Urn to where it rightfully belongs.

I know there are so many more things I want to share about cricket. Like stats and records. 
I know this post has probably gone on for long enough
I know that writing about cricket on a mummy blog is a little bit risky, there are lots of mums that aren't that interested.
I know that I just love it so much that I am sure a few other mums must as well. 
I know that you should share something you know here

And the last thing I know this week is that you should totally sit up all night watching the cricket with me

Agar to the rescue

With England all out before the end of the first day, of the first test, it appeared as if the Australians were up to the task at hand.

The task of course to return home with the ashes.

Given all the off field excitement within the ranks of Australian cricket there was much anticipation as to how the team would perform under their new coach, Daren Lehmen. Having bowled the English team out for what seemed the lowly total of 215 Australian cricket fans were given much needed hope.

Hope that was quickly shattered as the Australian batting line up crumbled faster than ever before.

English fast bowler, James Anderson, who in my opinion is beyond good looking, dismantled the Aussie batting line up. Shredding through the middle order leaving the tail end to wag like it never has before.

Enter 19 year old Ashton Agar.

image from here

In his debut match for the baggy greens and only his eleventh first class game Agar walks away with more records that many of his team mates made runs. He is now the highest scoring number 11 batsman.

Along with Phil Hughes, Agar restored hope when it was needed most. Taking to the field after watching his team mates fall like flies Agar showed courage and skill beyond his years. A breath if fresh air and admirable skill in such a young man. Agar is just what Australian cricket needed.

By lunch the Huges and Agar partnership had equalized the scoreboard and then take the lead. Shortly after lunch the pair took the record for the highest scoring tenth wicket partnership and Agar headed towards a maiden test century.

Sadly it was not to be.

Agar fell to ball from Broad that he misjudged and hit straight to Swann. With a lead of 65 Australia will take to the field inspired by the earnest battle of a teenager who fell two short of a century in his debut match for his country in the first Ashes Test.