Aug 19 2009
The Ashes 2009: Oval preview and memories of 2005
British weather permitting, there are less than 24 hours until the much-anticipated final Ashes Test gets underway. This time four years ago it was England that held the upper hand going to the Oval, already 2-1 up in the series and only needing a draw to win back the Ashes.
In that match, Kevin Pietersen played a crucial final day innings of 158 ensuring the destination of the little urn was not settled until the dying hours of the last day of the fifth Test. We all know what happened next: everyone, including the players, went and got absolutely blind drunk ensuring the rest of the summer passed by in a complete blur.
Seems we weren’t the only ones caught up in the excitement of the whole thing. This guy missed his wedding to see that last day - I’m sure you would have done, too. I wonder if he ever did get married?
Incidentally, I had to go shoe shopping on that day, but at least it was at 4PM when the Test was all but saved, and I got back just in time for the presentation of the Ashes. Maybe it’s kind of a good job that the Aussies didn’t retain them, because I’m pretty sure Shane Warne would have dropped the precious urn after his slip catching antics. If he wasn’t such a good player, I’m sure he would have the moniker ‘Butterfingers Warne’ bestowed upon him by now.
Warney: Kung Fu fighter?
Well, I think we ought to be a bit more lenient with Warney, since he was far and away the biggest wicket taker (on either side) in that series, taking 40 scalps but still ending up on the losing side. Tough luck, Shane, but we’re sure you’ve got plenty of other Ashes medals and trophies to be content with.
Any Australians reading may notice an increasing bias towards England in this blog. Well, being English, I’m sorry but I just can’t help it: don’t tell me you aren’t shouting for the kangaroos yourself.
If I’m being totally honest, I would have to pick the Aussies to win this game and secure the Ashes once again, for numerous reasons: firstly, their bowling attack has finally started to gel, really looking threatening, and with Brett Lee waiting in the wings, England’s batters had better watch out. Secondly, England really aren’t the same without Kevin Pietersen in the middle order. Thirdly, England will have to go all out for the win, opening the door for a potentially easy victory for the visitors.
Can Fred do a Beefy? [Insert leg-over joke here]
But you never know: a less experienced campaigner could put in a heroic performance, or maybe Big Freddie Flintoff could raise the whole team in one last hurrah. 1981 was Botham’s Ashes, will 2009 be Flintoff’s Ashes?
The man to watch for me has to be Stuart Broad. He has managed to find a little bit of form in the last match, taking a five-for and smashing a quickfire 60, which will have done his confidence no end of good. Could it be Broad’s Ashes? Personally, I just hope it’ll be England’s Ashes.
