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We didn't have any of that no surrender type bollocks when I went, shame to see that crap creeping in at cricket. I've noticed England football fans seem incapable these days of singing the anthem without chanting that nonsense in the middle. Its embarrassing.
In early 2003, I went to the Sydney test with a few other English mates. We were 4-0 down and roundly expected to lose 5-0. We'd also lost all the warm up and tour games.
As a result, I wasn't exactly looking forward to it. I will never forget walking into the ground and just seeing English flags everywhere. The huge amount of English support for a team that had been ridiculed for a couple of months was incredible. This is something the Aussies will never have away from home. All you see from them in England is a pretty small bunch of over 55s on some lame tour group thing, all wearing the same outfits. Maybe a few others dotted around.
There had to be at least 10,000 England there and we sang and drank all day long. Michael Vaughan, at the peak of his powers then, hit a tremendous century and England went on to win the match. Despite winning the series easily, the Aussies didn't enjoy this game. Vaughan also got player of the series which really upset the local media.
England's away support really is superb and deserves better than they usually get down here. They're also well used to losing though and being able to have a good time regardless. You're still in a great destination, with warm weather while the UK freezes, beaches, lots of other England fans around to drink with etc. The other thing is there's never a hint of trouble, unlike with football.
Thing is there's no consequence for losing in test cricket. We get another go every 2 years regardless. No relegation, no tough qualifying to get through etc, so for me while annoying to lose its really not that deep. The worst part is the pathetic local media during England tours but I've become very good at ignoring that.
The c**t chant was out of order but the what's the score stuff absolutely fine.
As has been said already. he did a good job with a weaker squad than Stephan has available. I also think too many forget how unlikely us not being relegated the season he took over was.
Australia is much more into cricket than England. Its the closest thing they have to a national sport. They don't have an all dominant sport like football, which struggles here. Some states like rugby league, others prefer Aussie rules, but all are into cricket. Only India/Pakistan would really rival them for level of interest.
They're also obsessed with beating England at anything, but especially cricket. We just don't care about them in the same way, despite it always being fun when we do beat them.
Cricket in England is very middle/upper class whereas here its much more the people's sport and what you might call the working class are very into it, whereas that demographic in England is all about football. I don't really ever see that changing either.
England's biggest ground is Lords which I think holds 30k? Every ground Australia is using in this series is far, far bigger than that and I think that reflects the relative interest levels quite well.
All about rs is always enjoyable after a win. He captures the goal celebrations very well and his peaky blinders/80s casual wearing mates are quite amusing.
Recently beat the team in 4th too and at one point not long ago had beaten 3 or 4 of the top 6 which outside the top two has been changing quite a bit. Are we worse than Hull or Preston who are currently in there? I'm not so sure.
Celtic were humming along winning the league every year and banking millions from the champions league while selling the likes of Matt O'Riley, Tierney etc for big money. They should have kicked on, but the board haven't adequately replaced the players who left and they've gradually declined. Got away with it for a while due to the ongoing clown show at Ibrox.
Brendan Rodgers was clearly unhappy this season at the lack of investment. He made no secret of this and left. Martin O'Neill immediately lifted spirits and results, should have been kept on until the end of the season. Instead they bring in a new manager who wants to completely change the playing style mid season, with predictable results. He'll be gone very quickly if they don't start winning soon. Amazingly they're still favourites for the title.
On top of this they have a few key players out with longish term injury (Jota, Carter Vickers, Johnston who would all be regular starters) so when they return it should improve. Everyone knew investment in the squad was needed in the summer and it didn't happen.
Still think Hearts will bottle it. Not so confident it will be Celtic that take advantage though, Rangers are finally starting to look a bit better, at least in terms of results. I wouldn't mind seeing big Ange back, him and Celtic were made for each other.
We should have won the last home series 4-1, and would have won it 3-2 but for two days of rain in Manchester.
Down here yes, we get thrashed every time (aside from the amazing success including 3 innings victories in 2010/11), but Aus haven't won a series in England since I think 2001. I haven't been watching this series (can't be bothered with all the media crap that surrounds England tours, seen the same old nonsense too many times now), but its going much as expected.
They do have an issue with their bowling attack all getting old together. There's been signs this series with some missing games. By the time they next go to England, they'll either be retired or over the hill. We should be a good chance.
I was with a Spurs mate at that game and he was gushing about the football we played. We also had a bet that the loser would buy all the winner's drinks that night, which he honoured. A good day all round.
Ossie Ardiles was not welcomed in his brief stint with us. Partly due to him being photographed smirking when one of ours was sent off v Spurs I think.
Boswinga, Barton, SWP fairly obvious candidates. In fact many players from that era.
Too many forget the absolute miracle he performed to keep us in the division the season he took over from Ainsworth. We were heading for around 20 points that season. Not sure where we'd be now but for him.