I'm In London Still...

I GOT very homesick last night.
Like many others travelling around the world, being homesick isn't something new. Every now and then something comes up that makes you feel like jumping on the next plane home to get back to the familiar; but by and large it passes.
But there was something about last night that seemed to make it hit home that yes, I was over this sid eof the world, and no, I wasn't going to be back home for a long time.
Unsurprisingly, it was the cricket.
The first day of the Ashes was on the idiot box, and like all good Australians with a burning desire for revenge (or to get the Poms to shut the f^ck up), I wanted to see Australia do well and regain them.
What made me homesick was that it was being held at the Gabba, which is in the Queensland city of Brisbane - where my family largely lives.
For me the first Test of the summer has always signalled the start of summer. The weather's heating up nicely and the pool is looking more and more attractive as the days roll into December. And what a month December is! My birthday at the start, Christmas parties and cricket matches the whole way through, Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve, all jammed into 31 days of pure heaven.
However this year I'll be in the UK, where the temperature is dropping (all too rapidly if you ask me), the Tests only start around midnight or so (later in some other states), and it's still at least 12 months before I see my two youngest siblings (8 and nearly 5) again.
There are bonuses though. It's said London around Christmastime is spectacular, and I do have some friends either in the area or coming back soon to make life a tick friendlier.
As for the cold, as many English say you should expect it when you come over during winter. Doesn't mean I can't whinge about it though!
Either way, this December promises to be quite the experience no matter what. Let's see how it pans out, eh?

Come On Aussie, Come On, Come On

YES, it's repetitive - but certainly a lot better than that God-awful "Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi" rubbish that parts of our great country feel it necessary to foist on an all-to-suspecting world that really doesn't want to hear it again.
But the Ashes are coming, hence why the old Mojo classic should be sung with greater gusto than that two-word bore that should have died about the same time as the Olympic flame in 2000.
Actually, the Fanatics (a group of Australians that follow our sporting teams around and generally provide the most vocal support) are publishing a songbook with a series of mixed-up songs to sing back at the Poms (ok, English for those with squeamish dispositions). I'd link it, but apparently record company EMI are cracking the sads because it uses their songs as a basis, but if you Google "fanatics ashes songbook" (without the quotes) you'll get there.
But what of the game itself?
At the time of writing Australia look like they'll play Stuart Clark and Michael Clarke now that Shane Watson's been ruled out.
Watson's injury couldn't have come at a worse time, and not just for his embryonic international career (three Tests thus far).
My theory is this. Watson playing gives Australia a reasonably steady third seamer, so that he's helping out Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne by keeping things on a leash. This gives Brett Lee more chances to go all-out for a few overs at a time and make life uncomfortable for the batsmen.
But the big part of all this is that it would allow Australia to play one of Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait or Stuart MacGill. All three can win you matches; but by the same token they can also go for 5-6 an over.
With Watson in the team, if one of those three started going for plenty captain Ricky Ponting would still have somone fresh to stem the flow of runs.
As for the batting, Watson averages nearly 50 in first-class cricket: given the chance he could make some very handy scores down the order.
For England, they need first of all to pick Monty Panesar. He's simply head and shoulders above Ashley Giles, and can win you matches. As someone has pointed out, Giles may make 30 runs or so, but will that win you a match?
I think not.
Anyway, we'll see how things go on Thursday - come on Aussie!