I was at the MCG yesterday: it certainly felt like the Last Rites on Australia’s era of cricket dominance.
Really, it ended a while ago, but Australian fans are finally accepting it now. Only England in Australia could truly bring that message home.And frankly, I for one am glad its over. At one point the dominance became positively tedious to watch.
I must say: the England fans, the Barmy Army, are an absolute joy to behold. Great, good-natured, imaginative chants, and hilarious piss-taking “eg God Save YOUR Queen. Long too-ooo reign over YOU!” LOL!! I almost wanted to join them (like most of the Kiwis at the match did, incidentally).
Meanwhile my compatriots were doing no better than “oi oi oi” or “[England player X] is a wanker!”. It was embarrassing to watch. Pick up yer damn act Australian fans!
I for one miss streaking and pitch invasions. That was Australian sport watching at its most irreverent and finest: a drunken nudist being chased by coppers. Surely that was what an Australian summer of cricket was really all about!
Now I fear we’re just dull minded, insular boors. Time for fans to take a good look at themselves too I’d say. Hopefully sporting failure will provoke some reflection. Doubt it though!
Good on you England – you won in the best of sporting spirits too. Remind us all how its done.
6 comments:
You never even hear "Come on Aussie come on come on". Of course it is nothing like as good as the Barmy Army and their trumpeter but still it was something. Hopefully by getting thumped again for a few years we will once again appreciate winning.
True Mindy - at least that was catchy! I agree, the Barmy trumpeter is outstanding.
I miss the irreverent crowds. As Paul said over at LP: "Nowadays we are little more than frightened, servile, cap-tipping ex-convicts without the will to challenge authority. Ratbags are no longer respected. And its starting to show."
Pig!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhnunJSmsSM
HAH!
I agree 100%: let loose the pigs!!
Spot the anachronism in this (relatively NSFW) photograph:
http://www.rennieellis.com.au/gallery/item.asp?CurrentPage=22&ID=495&Cat=7
(Give in? It's not the streaker not being spear-tackled by guards and issued a $5k fine. It's Richmond drawing a crowd).
However beware of the other pictures at the photographer's gallery. I will not be held responsible for psychic anguish caused by looking at this particular one:
http://www.rennieellis.com.au/gallery/item.asp?CurrentPage=2&ID=549&Cat=9
Richmond in a grand final Id have thought Liamista!
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