Savour the moment

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Ashes_series

 

Victory!

Go England! Spectators grab any vantage point possible, England v Australia, The Oval, September 12, 2005

Savour the moment. This has been the best test match series that I have ever seen. The tension, the anxiety have been intense, but to have beaten the best makes it all worthwhile.

The Australians have been magnificent adversaries, tenacious and determined they fought well and were magnanimous in defeat. I watched the third test in Amsterdam with a group of Aussies and there was no animosity just a shared passion for the game of cricket and what it stands for.

What do they know of cricket,

What do they know of cricket, who only cricket know
England expects…

What do they know of cricket, who only cricket know?

The second test match between England & Australia at Edgbaston which ended so spectacularly on Sunday will be remembered for many individual triumphs. But two simple gestures explain what makes cricket so special.

On Saturday, after clean bowling Andrew Flintoff, Shane Warne flashed him a discrete thumbs up. Australia’s legendary spin bowler was conveying appreciation of a superb innings by the England all-rounder.

On Sunday, when England clinched the closest ever Ashes victory, Flintoff ducked away from the melee of jubliant England players to congratulate and console the two batsmen who had carried Australia to the very brink of victory.

It is heartening to see that there is still room for sportsmanship and mutual respect, even in the closest of matches.

Update 2022:

Pictures updated