Sydney Day One: Con te partiro

Imagine an artist at the canvas on the boundary fence of a packed SCG on the opening day of the New Years Test. Imagine Jack Russell, brush in hand, white floppy hat, characteristic moustache, outlining the curves of Aussie Stadium peeking from behind the Noble Stand, the clock on the Members Stand showing a quarter past four.


A man neatly dressed in a suit appears in the middle of the arena. But it’s not the CEO of one of the myriad of sponsors – not unless he is a classically-trained opera singer. 
Suddenly, the painter’s hat flies away, the moustache curls up, Jack Russell has morphed into Salvador Dali, and the SCG clock melts away. Continue reading “Sydney Day One: Con te partiro”

Riots in Belfast? What riots in Belfast?

Yes it’s always good to have an historic sporting triumph to keep civil unrest off the front pages…

Congratulations to you and the whole team on your fantastic series win.

It’s been sport at its very best, played in a wonderful spirit between two exceptional sides, and has gripped the whole country.

With so many people following this extraordinary series ball by ball, I’m not sure our economy could stand many more days like today – or our nerves any more excitement.

But by bringing the Ashes back after so long, you have given cricket a huge boost and lit up the whole summer.

Congratulations to everyone on an unforgettable series and a fantastic win.

With best wishes
Tony Blair

Earth, I’m comin down!

Warmest congratulations to you, the England team and all in the squad for the magnificent achievement of regaining the Ashes. This has been a truly memorable series and both sides can take credit for giving us all such a wonderfully exciting and entertaining summer of cricket at its best.

ELIZABETH R

– The Queen of Australia, among other countries, displays her partisanship in a congratulatory message to Michael Vaughan

Continue reading “Earth, I’m comin down!”