The Ashes – Fifth Test, Sydney Preview: ‘Vsqve ad finem’
‘Vsqve ad finem’…
as Russell Crowe, Victor Mature and Kirk Douglas would have said as they entered the Coliseum and it does not mean “is the pitch grass the depth of five lira?”
One could say thank God it is nearly over and others, I hope the end is near, thanks Frankie S.
And so we come to the final Test of a series that promised us everything but in the end game us nothing or very little.
Australia in England 1956 and the Albions here in 21-22 could come near it but not with the hype that eventually has nearly made me vomit.
What has sent me ranting and raving has been the relentless attack by the media to make the series meaningful and it has failed miserably. The fanfare post arrival of the Poms was enough to say England, my England and a glorious victory in the reign of Charles III.
Sydney will bring another result but it is any bodies guess who will win. Australia have The Ashes but Albion has the momentum from Melbourne.
I have been irritated by the Australians’ refusal to name their team until the last moment in each Test and know doubt we will hear it on TV, if you have the sound up, twenty minutes before the start of the game. Again great PR.
Weatherald, Green and Neser should make way for ? England will probably field the same XI. Must give credit to Atkinson, Carse and Tongue who came good in the last battle.
I, for one, will be glad to see the final wicket taken. As a purist I saw very little of it from the batters who played every match as if Crowe, Mature and Douglas were invincible as bowlers.
They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. So be it.
And we can’t even get an Australian-Italian in the Italy team!
Acta, non verba.
Read more reports on the Ashes series HERE.
More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read HERE.
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About Bob Utber
At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
Et tu, Brute’ ?
Labuschagne took Green’s spot at 3 and in the end is responsible for the absent Slug.
Marnus out. Khawaja out. Neser out.
Webster Connolly and Murphy in.
Best add Ben Hur (Charlie H)…. to the bitter end.
Deeds…words….indeed!
What I find interesting is so many following the game have become like watching a 20 20 game lack of memory retention for mine – Jake Weatherald played a vital part in the wins in Perth and Brisbane
yes has been disappointing in last two tests but has earns thru shield runs and -1st 2 tests a decent run at it.
Does Green deserve a spot obviously not but with the age of our side we desperately need him to come good so certainly understand the selectors perseverance.
Someone ‘of note’ said to throw out the toss and give all visitors first dibs on whether to bat or bowl, which should temper the lottery and match fixing.
PETER B- Getting stabbed in the rotunda must hurt!
PETER W – Probably the correct team except for Green. Even though he is retiring I am still not sure whether Uzzie is in the team.
GRAEBOY – Chuck Heston indeed – What a moron he turned out to be! Thanks for reading and your point is excellent re “who bats first”.
RULE- too much cricket is too much cricket nowadays and they do run into one another. Jake W will playand probably make runs