Who else is watching "The Ashes" (England vs Australia) - LETS TALK SPORT!

MPowell_1991

After an entertaining first day yesterday, Australia resume this morning trailing England by 380 runs! - for those that don't know i'm a massive sports enthusiast and represent Hampshire within our Super 9s disability cricket team (we have a scheduled game tomorrow away to Middlesex)

Who else here enjoys sport? What do you enjoy either participating in or watching?

66Mustang

I am not massively into sport - either watching or participating - I enjoy participating in motorsport if you count the odd track day as “motorsport” - sadly funds limit this to once a year at the very most!!!

I will say that I find having the cricket on the radio is quite nice even as a non enthusiast - quite relaxing listening to the commentators

Good luck with tomorrow’s game!! 

JessieJ

Yep, I'm watching The Ashes too, @MPowell_1991! Was hoping they'd get another couple of wickets before end of day's play, sadly, they didn't. 

I love most sport, as a spectator though, so the sports channels are my treat & most watched.

Actually been going to the Rose Bowl for the Viltality Blast, supporting the Hawks, your team too methinks. Got the last three home games next week. Support the Vipers too, chuffed that they won The Charlotte Edwards Cup for the second year running. Hope Hawks manage the same in The Blast, they have work to do though.

Anyway, good luck with your game tomorrow, hope rain doesn't spoil your match.

rebel11

I enjoy my sports, with a few exceptions, F1 (what's the point?), snooker (tedious), probably others too.

66Mustang

@rebel11 I don't like or watch F1 so am not defending it from a position of enthusiasm here but I'd argue it is one of the few sports WITH a point - as the technology developed for F1 filters its way down to road cars over the years making them more efficient et cetera. I don't know of any other sports that create technology that we can use every day!

Cher_Alumni

My husband is a big cricket fan, and when I say big.. I mean it is constantly on either the iPad, the TV, the radio, podcasts. You get the gist  So yes, we've been watching and I'm so chuffed England are doing well - fingers crossed!! 

WelshBlue

I'm not into cricket ... school put me off.  Being a Goal Keeper they made me Wicket Keeper ... that ball hurts

I was into playing my sports, football, pool, snooker, darts and rallying the main ones.  Then coaching kids at football for a few years after hanging up my gloves.  Now I'm stuck as an armchair fan but only watch football, darts and rallying.

My family are big F1 fans, it bores me but I have the utmost respect for the drivers ... or should that be pilots

Good luck in your match @MPowell_1991

rebel11

66Mustang said:

@rebel11 I don't like or watch F1 so am not defending it from a position of enthusiasm here but I'd argue it is one of the few sports WITH a point - as the technology developed for F1 filters its way down to road cars over the years making them more efficient et cetera. I don't know of any other sports that create technology that we can use every day!

Yep, I get the point, but they can do all this in computer simulations / models. F1 is ridculous, drivers orders, so the Team tell the drivers who can win the race. I pretty much stopped watching after Mansell retired.   

WelshBlue

Team orders ... not something I agree with unless it's because the pit and their wizardry  knows the leading car is going to suffer a mechanical failure.   Then fair enough.  Otherwise let the lead driver take the accolades

Long and short teams don't really care about the Drivers Championship ... Constructor Standings is where the prestige is and where the money to pay their bills comes from

MPowell_1991

Hi @JessieJ - A frustrating end to a fascinating test match! Just wondered about your thoughts on the declaration? Obviously there's going to be mixed opinions and viewpoints, but i didn't see an issue. Obviously the weather played a role but ultimately we were left with a tense in the balance contest so fingers crossed for more of the same throughout the course of the summer!

Indeed! I was a regular attendee at The Rose Bowl up until this season (i've recently become a father so that has understandably taken priority for myself at the moment) but we've a great squad in both mens and women's teams who've come on leaps and bounds over the last few years.

The rain didn't affect the game, unfortunately we lost a tense match, we go again on Sunday against Essex at Compton & Chandlors Ford Cricket Club - perhaps if you're at a loose end you might like to come and see what we are all about?

MPowell_1991

I would definately love to do a track day at some point @66Mustang! however i have to say that the logistics of transferring in and out of my wheelchair may be difficult as i'm unable to do this independently unfortunately, but it's definately worth looking into i reckon!

JessieJ

Hello @MPowell_1991

I agree, it was a very frustrating end to the Men's Ashes. As was the Women's Ashes Test that we lost today. Both were thoroughly enjoyable though. As for the declaration, I would have liked them to get over the 400 mark first, but maybe it was to save Jimmy Anderson. The loss should really get the fire in our lads burning though, so here's to a cracking second test. The women will have to go some now, so it will be the same for them & we'll be going to The Bowl ODI to cheer them on. It really is a good & full season though, loving it! 

Congratulations on becoming a dad, I can see that would make a difference to your getting to The Bowl as often. It's a very good reason though!

Glad the rain didn't arrive, but sorry you didn't have a win. Get that fire going & have a stonker on Sunday. Sadly I don't have a car, so don't/can't go far, otherwise I would check it out. I'm reliant on family when going to The Bowl, I'm just thankful they love cricket too. We'll be there on Friday & Sunday, only just got over the cracking finish of the Hawks v Eagles match last Friday, hope yours against Essex is as good with the same result. 

MPowell_1991

@hi @JessieJ thanks for reaching out.

A very intriguing end to the Ashes summer indeed and I feel important lessons have been learnt, as exciting as this "bazball" approach has been I believe there's still much value in the old traditional methods of test match cricket. 

There's absolutely no doubt that the women's game has evolved ten fold and I think that the hundred (although many traditionalists hate it) has contributed significantly to the exposure of women's cricket. 

Sadly it has been a mixed bag for my disability squad this season with a most recent game ending in a close defeat against the Isle of Wight, we have the reverse fixture coming up this weekend to close out our season. 

JessieJ

Hello @MPowell_1991

Sorry your cricket season hasn't gone so well, a real shame, but onwards & I hope you get IoW back at the weekend, to see your season out on a high.

This Ashes series, both men & women have been thoroughly enjoyable, until the rain, ruining the last men's match. That really was gutting after the way our guys were going. I have enjoyed the way our men have played though, whatever name it is given. I remember a few Ashes ago, one of the tests, England won in about two & a half days, partly, most likely, because of the advent of T20, as it was played at such a fast pace. Bazball before it was named. Here's to this final test, England win & then it is just the Aussies retaining it.

The women's game is really on the up & about time. They are exciting to watch & our women really did themselves & us proud. I agree with you, T20 has done a lot for them & I think The Hundred too, even though that only started a couple of years ago. Personally, I'm not a traditionalist, as I love & enjoy all forms of the sport & feel there is room for them too.

MPowell_1991

@JessieJ - many thanks, fingers crossed we can finish with a bang but unfortunately the weather doesn't look too promising for the weekend. 

It has been absolutely fascinating and as you say bitterly dissapointing that the weather intervened - I do feel more has to be done to ensure more overs are played throughout the day, an earlier start wouldn't hurt in my opinion. 

I take it you'll be watching the hundred then, just like me when it starts at the beginning of August?

JessieJ

Well, @MPowell_1991, it's not what you could call a cricket summer but Sunday looks like you'll have a few extra drink breaks. Hopefully it will remain at just the odd shower, will keep our fingers crossed that it will be better than forecast.

I agree, they're test matches & for us & the Aussies, The Ashes is  a  the biggie. There should be changes, an earlier start like you said or play later, as the light is still fine for at least a couple of hours. I do think it will be disgussed & changes will come.

Oh yes, like you, I'll definitely be watching The Hundred & we have tickets for all the home matches. Can't wait, as the atmosphere is fantastic & totally different to even the T20s & the cricket is still good. The Brave have a good line up, so there should be some really good games. Fingers crossed again!

MPowell_1991

Unfortunately with most recreational cricket grounds the drainage isn't fantastic, so when you get significant rain fall the day before, the prospect of play is rather slim.

Like yourself I reckon  changes are going to be slowly implemented. Fingers crossed. 

I hope that you have a fantastic time @JessieJ unfortunately with my commitment to being a new father I haven't had opportunity to get up to The Ageas Bowl this year but will certainly be following coverage on TV

Richard_Scope

Gutted the weather got the Aussies off of the hook.

JessieJ

Cheers, @MPowell_1991, I'll be thinking of you when at the matches.

Yes, @Richard_Scope, that was so frustrating!