As England begins its quest for the coveted URN at the fag end of November’17 (23rd) , I get back to this most intriguing bilateral cricket series on the planet earth.
I still recollect those childhood memories when there was no Television , the only medium for me to have the updates on the ‘ASHES’ was Newspaper and I had all those goosebumps while opening the last page of the daily early morning to get the latest of the game. ASHES has been the BAAP of any cricket carnival and the winner takes it all kind of limelight for any cricket fan and to add to it the Boxing Day Match has always been the icing of the game.
I guess these ‘ASHES’ in the urn are the most exceptional ones considering the fact that no other ASH would get love from so many people and for that matter any individual. Such is the ferocity with which ENGLAND and AUSTRALIA come against each other for a full 5 Test Match series every 2 years and try to prove their supremacy in one of the most hostile conditions. The name itself is born out of the rivalry between these 2 cricketing nations and coming out of colonial failure of the British against the Kangaroos in 1882 Test Match and the English Media declaring the obituary of Cricket for the Lords of the game. The bails of the match were burnt by the fans and presented in URN as ASHES to set this more than a century old tradition of the cricket supremacy.
I have been fortunate to read or hear so many Ashes stories from my cricket bible (my father) and few of them still fascinate me when I try to correlate modern day cricket with the old stalwarts. Don Bradman , Len Hutton, Neil Harvey who can forget their contributions to the game . A cricketer of caliber of Sir jack Hobbs with 197 First Class Centuries, Jim Laker’s 19 Test wickets in a Test Match , Truman, Lindwall , the list is endless. Bodyline series especially targeted for the DON by Jardine ( Kids must watch the Television Series Bodyline) , guess these were the absolute miracles of the game. These stalwarts had to travel through ships and stay away from the world and make the use of the deck to be in touch with the game , only geniuses would do that. And who knows if the world wars were not there , Bradman would have taken away all the honors of game from the rest of the generations to come.
Not only did ASHES give legends , it also produced the wonders of Benaud, Lawry who showed the world how to make a 5 day match interesting through their unequivocal observation of the game. These commentators in fact taught how the game should be seen , described and played too. Watching and listening to ASHES is a treat to eyes and ears with the tradition still being followed by modern game.
Coming back to Modern day ASHES , it always meant to be Lilee or Botham /Willis , Boycott, Gower , Gatting ,Lamb , Gooch , Underwood , Kim Hughes, Yallop and Borders, Lees, Mcgraths, Pontings, Haydens and the magician Warenys of the game.. OOPS , I still feel I have left out so many names though.. Howsoever, the entire generation of English Cricketers could not beat the might of the Kangaroos in 90s. The Newspapers ( and the Television by now J) repeated the old story for a long time . I recollect the change in fortunes brought to England by Flintoff in the 2005 series. They have been in quite consistent since then and been a force in the world cricket primarily due to ASHES success. Watching these masters of the game has been an absolute privilege ( though not all in real and some for sure on the green platter). They were once in a lifetime kind of a lot. So focused and so adamant to prove a point.
The 2017 ASHES are going to be special one and in my opinion will settle so many future landmarks of this wonderful game of cricket. Cooksey on a lifetime trail of the GOD for most number of runs in the history of the game. This series could well be the decider whether he remains in the contention or would wind up early. The baby faced Stuart Broad might get the coveted 400 number. Smith or Warner, either of them would carry the Australian torch in the future. England ROOTS or Aussie SMITHS.
Whosoever is the winner , being a true fan of the game , A BIG cricket bonanza on the cards and let the URN go to the earnest team !!
ASHES !! Make it a point !! Prove the battle !! Enjoy the carnival !!
- Jayawant
https://jay1ntsashes.blogspot.in/2017/11/ashes-2017-carnival-of-cricket.html?m=1
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