Monday, September 12, 2005

Wonderful England!

Congratulations to our wonderful England cricket team for winning back the Ashes for the first time in nearly 20 years with the series victory over old rivals Australia.

Awesome, fantastic, inspiring - all the adjectives in the world cannot truly capture the feelings of pride among cricket and indeed non-cricket fans as England scored this great win.

If ever perfect team spirit was demonstrated this was surely it!


Commiserations to the Aussies who took their defeat in a very sporting way. For a few seconds I had some sympathy for them ... just joking guys :-)


It has taken us 20 years to beat you so please accept our celebrations

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why do they sing Jerusalem? I think I know the song, but maybe I'm not thinking of the same Jerusalem. Anyway, congrats to English cricket!

Trevor Gay said...

Hi Mike

England's most patriotic song is Jerusalem by William Blake.

It has become anthem of the English cricket team in the last year or two. In fact there are suggestions it could become our national anthem replacing 'God Save the Queen'!

Here are the words:

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance divine
Shine forth upon those clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold,
Bring me my arrows of desire;
Bring me my spear! O, clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

-- William Blake

Anonymous said...

I am always taken with the pure passion that England has for its sporting events. I know absolutely nothing about cricket. However, it appears as though it is a huge national event for England. Congratulations on the big victory. What exactly is the Ashes?

Trevor Gay said...

Hi Rocky

It is a long story about the ‘Ashes.'

Many years ago - probably the 1930's the 'Ashes' were created by the burning of the wooden wickets after Australia beat England in a cricket series. At the time one newspaper said this was the day English cricket 'died'

Since that date the two countries have played every two or three years or so for the 'Ashes' – The trophy is an urn containing the ashes. In a nutshell that is it.

You are right - We are very passionate about sport in England and it is a national cause for celebration when we beat the Aussies.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Trevor. I knew that song, but didn't know the name. And, I know another song "Oh Jerusalem," and the situation confused me no end.

Trevor Gay said...

Confusion rules most of the time in most people's lives Mike - don't worry about it - just keep taking the pills :-)

It is a fabulous patriotic song.