Ashes 2023

[BillyStubbsTears]

While we are talking about Australia and immigration, Noel Coward was once stopped by an Australian border guard at passport control.

He replied in that uber-camp voice "Oh my dear boy. I had no idea it was still a requirement."

[roversontheup]

I thought Pom or Pommie originated from ‘Prisoner Of Mother England’

[Spud]

Australia were gifted the first two tests by England declaring too early, gifting their wickets recklessly and by not taking their chances in the field, nevertheless, they have managed to retain the Ashes in English conditions whilst looking the weakest Ausie side In decades.
England on the other hand went into the series on a transformation in their fortunes resulting from Bazball but not yet having tested themselves agains the best in the world.  It was plainly evident to anyone watching the first two tests that they quickly needed to learn and modify their methods to stand any chance of salvaging anything from the series and (I would suggest) even salvaging Bazball itself.  And how they showed they were good enough to do both of those things, absolutely blasting the Ausies in the last three tests and totally justifying themselves.

Comparing the two sides man for man it's hard to conclude that England are stronger than Australia who, as always have an immense bowling attack and bat right through their tail but what Bazball has done is somehow make the England team greater than the sum of it parts and to beat Australia at their own game.

Exactly how I saw the series, worded far better than I could have though.