| Cricket is one sport that seems to divide opinions - | | | | they offered the opportunity to really pit the English |
| some people see it as being dull and boring, while | | | | team against the increasing power of the Aussies. In |
| others love to watch it. I'm in the latter category - I | | | | recent times, Australia have largely got the better of |
| think it's a sport that has an enormous amount to | | | | England, as they've come to dominate Test cricket. |
| offer, both for players and fans. | | | | Has this meant that my own interest in cricket has |
| Looking back on how I first became interested in the | | | | decreased? Far from it. The fact that England are |
| sport, it's amazing how quickly it captured the | | | | frequently expected to lose these matches simply |
| imagination. This was a sport of great deeds, | | | | means that it's all the more amazing when they steal |
| wonderful players and amazing stories. For me, the | | | | the odd win. |
| adventure was to begin with Test Match cricket. | | | | Occasionally, of course, there's still the chance for |
| Watching a Test Match is great fun and many purists | | | | England to win back The Ashes, as they did |
| would argue that this is the real version of the game. | | | | successfully in the summers of 2005 and 2009. |
| With its lengthy history and great opportunity for | | | | As you watch a game of cricket you can't help but |
| nations to go into battle, it's a form of the game that | | | | be drawn into the contest. It's a battle between one |
| has thrown up so many different stories over the | | | | country and another, between one player and |
| years. | | | | another, between bat and ball. There are so many |
| Growing up in England, it was natural that my interest | | | | factors that come into play that there's always |
| should be drawn to the exploits of Botham, Gower | | | | something to discuss. |
| and the other fine English cricketers of the time. The | | | | Some express surprise that commentators find so |
| greatest battle that these players faced was, of | | | | much to talk about during matches that last for up to |
| course, The Ashes. | | | | five days. The fact that they do shows how much |
| The Ashes was the great Test series, played | | | | there is to observe and how many great stories |
| between England and Australia. Hard-fought contests, | | | | there are to tell. |