I hope yours is more exciting than mine. I have an 8 hour Zoom training meeting!
I took early retirement a year ago (it’s not quite gone how I expected), I’d planned a relaxing morning followed by a long walk after last night’s claret, but if the weather doesn’t clear I’ll have a quiet day in all day.
I retired Oct 19 too. I am now training for a voluntary role.
Good for you, my local volunteering is on hold as so many are at the moment.
Well this training and role was delayed by eight months due to Covid.
I have been working at our Food Bank throughout though-no lack of demand there believe me. We have handled tons of food and nearly double the number of recipients from last year. Bit off topic-sorry.
Bruce
It’s a wonderful day today. First test of the summer Aus v India and it’s a day/night game. Looking forward to the first ball.
Enjoying the game Pete?
Lowish scores always seem to make for good matches. Especially when they are made by Australia.
Sorry, unable to resist! Still plenty of cricket to come though.
Bruce
I though you may have responded on day one when the Aussie bowlers were in control, I guess see below. Day 2, our batsmen were most disappointing and obviously will need to improve. But a late wicket by Cummins makes for a very interesting day 3. Also India did win the toss so you’d expect them to have their noses in front in the first innings.
Like you I much prefer low scores that generally mean a result however unlike playing in England the chance of being saved by rain is low.
Bruce why do I not think you’re not sorry at all, like most of your countrymen you enjoy seeing the Aussies on the back foot. Think it’s a leftover from when Britain ruled the sea (your now struggling to rule your fishing fleet). But don’t worry it doesn’t bother us we wear it as a badge of honour.
Pete -
Over the past few weeks, you’d need a snorkel to play cricket in England (seasonal temperatures aside).
By reports it seems to be a seaming track, where 1st innings batting is always tricky, as players are inclined to go at balls they should really leave/treat with circumspection. Who’d have thought the AO could produce such a wicket.
Another match where it seems buying tickets for D5 would be more in hope than expectation!
I just hope the ‘bubble’ stays secure so that the series can progress without incident.
Sorry I forgot to add that the Indian bowlers were in great form and had it not been for some poor fielding they would have been in a much better position.
Think it will continue although it’s a bit of a concern what’s happening in Sydney at present but they’ll just move the game to another venue.
C’mon Pete, a gentle chiding is always in order between our cricketing nations.
This series is going to be fascinating, and I hope pitches remain a bit receptive. Like I said, there is plenty left in this match too.
Our summer saw produced excellent cricket in a successful bubble. I hope the same applies to yours.
Bruce
I’m just winding you up. This is going to be a great series but I’m definitely looking forward to the Ashes next year. Your boy Jimmy would have had a blinder with the pink ball under lights.
Ashes tours, seem to be coming round on a far too regular basis
Losing their rarity value perhaps?
I’m not sure haven’t they always been played every 4 years, think there’s been a little bit of reshuffling as a result of the Olympics and WC’s.
6/19, I really don’t need to say anything else.
9/36 Shami retired hurt. Aussies target 90.
Good grief! What a shame no way to watch it in the UK. No India batsman in double figures.
Aussies got their 92. Broad was not bowling.
Day night tests/pink ball, discuss. I have long been against antipodean flat wickets and the Kookaburra ball but…
No doubt the Indian media will suggest five or six changes. Bring on the Xmas day test for this neutral observer.
Bruce
Hope you didn’t sleep in. It’s done and dusted.
I just realised it was over and updated that post. Day 5 test tickets are never a good buy anywhere it seems