Sydney Five-oh: Sydney Ashes Test, 3rd to 5th January 2014

The last of my Ashes diaries as originally posted on my Tumblr site just after the events of each Test in 2013/14 – as with Melbourne, this is a summarised version of my time in Sydney (and therefore fairly short with this Test not lasting 3 days).  Cricinfo match scorecard here

[After originally blogging about Sydney itself I then finally asked myself this tough next question…]: But hang on. Wasn’t there some other reason I went to Sydney? Oh yes, the fifth Test at the SCG. Despite the terrible performances in the preceding four Tests, this was the nadir with it being all over in 3 days this time, which at least gave me more time to explore Sydney, plus I do get a refund for my fourth day ticket too, so that is at least something. As ever with England, there was a bit of hope on the first day, as Australia were reduced to 97-5 just after lunch on day one before the inevitable Brad Haddin plus one other (in this case Steve Smith) show saved them before various batting collapses from England – and these two innings from England were the worst of the tour for various reasons I won’t go into now. As for positives, it was good to go to the SCG, although I was a little underwhelmed compared to the majesty of Melbourne’s MCG and actually think I prefer the Adelaide Oval too. Also, I did feel for the couple sat next to me, who had come over just for the Sydney Test. At least by going to all 5 Tests, I guaranteed I would be there for the approximately 6 sessions that we won in the entire series, as well as the best day (day 2 at the MCG).

The Sydney Cricket Ground’s iconic pavilions

[From my final summary looking back in January 2014]: An enjoyable trip even if it could have been so much more if the series had at least been close rather than the absolute battering we got from the Aussies, but fair play to them – they wanted it more and their bowling attack, especially Mitchell Johnson, was a privilege to watch (or so I hope I will think in years to come). Only 18 months till they’re back in England for us to take back the urn hopefully, I just think we shouldn’t let Brad Haddin into the country should he still be playing then.

Us English may be rubbish at cricket, but at least we don’t need to be told how to operate a sear (from the SCG)

Postscript: Looking back on this a couple of years later, I am happy to report that England did indeed “take back the urn” and I was privileged enough to be at Trent Bridge to witness the victory that let us reclaim the Ashes.  Payback of a sort as what goes around comes around… 

The urn returns: celebrations at Trent Bridge, Saturday 8th August 2015