Ashes is what the game of cricket is all

Test cricket and especially the mythical 'Ashes' Test cricket series between traditional rivals England and Australia is what the game of cricket is all about. All other versions of the game are only laughs and jokes.

With Test cricket being the thing, it is the sacred duty of the International Cricket Council to guide, guard, direct and nurture it and make it attractive for every budding cricketer to play and concentrate on it and eat, drink and sleep it.

But what does the young cricketer of today take to?. The comedy of limited-over cricket. From his young age the cricketer is lured to, not playing the longer version of the game and enjoying what cricket is all about, forgetting technique and making money bags.

Today those wonderful virtues of the game which were taught to all budding cricketers of a by-gone era are sadly no more. To play a straight bat, not to hit below the belt, it is not the winning or losing that matters, but how one played the game are axioms that have gone with the wind as it were. Winning at all costs, is what sport is all about.

Limited versions

Ask any cricketer of old and he will vow that Test cricket is what the game is all about. Ask him about the limited versions of the game and he will laugh his sides out. With the ICC unable to make Test cricket more attractive, the life spoiling limited-over cricket with tons of money on offer has knocked the status and levels of Test cricket. It is sad but that is how the game goes in today's context.

Back to the Ashes cricket series between England and Australia, the two most respected, honoured and talented countries and their supporters immediately come alive, waiting for the moment the umpires will call play which will signal the meeting of the two gladiators for the action with no quarter asked or given to begin.

Radios and Television sets will see supporters glued to them listening and taking in the ball a minute action. It will be lead stories in all newspapers. Cricket fans taking in the action at the venues where the Tests will be played will always be on their seats edge.

It will be no difference here in Sri Lanka. In the good old days, there were no India, Pakistan, New Zealand or South African cricket supporters. It was either England or Australia.

No easy task

Come November and England and Australia will begin a Five-match Test series that will continue till early 2011 and predicting the winners will be no easy task, because as accepted cricket being a funny game only fools would want to venture and predict.

However England who won the previous Ashes series in England would want to flaunt the favourite tag when they fly into kangaroo land. But the kangaroos are known to jump high on home turf and so only fools would want to wager.

England last won a Test series in Australia was over 20 years ago. The Aussies have fronted up to all the England fire power at home and are determined to maintain that proud record this time round too.

What is unsettling in the England set up announced for Australia, is that in recent times they have failed to field a - made in England - squad. By that we mean that the Brits can't field a pure team made up of Brits.

South African captain

England opened the doors and since they have been represented mainly by Indians, Pakistanis, West Indians and South Africans. In fact England have in recent times being led by a South African in Andrew Strauss.

That might taste rancid to the rabid England supporters. But it cannot be helped. That is how the game goes today. Another outstanding South African who has served England cricket well is dashing right-hand batsman Kevin Pietersen.

At one time Pietersen did not look a candidate to Australia, because of his outspoken ways. But the England authorities seem to have forgiven and forgotten and Pietersen will be on the flight down under.

It is also nice to see the return of bubbly left-arm spinner Monty Panessar who has Indian ancestry. Panessar along with James Anderson fought a relentless battle as the last men in and helped save a Test for England on the previous tour.

Likeable guy

But since Panessar has been out of the England get up. His return will strengthen the England spin department and also Aussie crowds will love and tease the likeable guy every time he takes the field.

But England chances will be terribly weakened with the retirement of their great all rounder Andrew Flintoff. Flintoff, a Botham like player is one who could win a game with his own dash and daring. Skipper Strauss will miss his inspiring ability.

So with England determined to break the over-20 year hoodoo and pocket a victory down under and with Ricky Ponting's kangaroos hell bent on avenging their previous defeat the scene is set for a Ashes blockbuster come November/December.

England as usual will have the full throated support of their 'Barmy Army' that will follow them to every venue, shouting, cheering and making all the weird noises possible to urge their team on and upset the Aussies.

The Aussie supporters too would not be found wanting and will be determined to give as good as they get and stall this British invasion. So with the cricketers fighting it out in the middle, another battle too will ensue beyond the boundary lines between the supporters of both teams.

Clive Tissera passes away

It is with profound sadness that we note the passing away of former planter, golfer and golfing administrator Clive Tissera. Tissera was 82 at the time of his death.

I was introduced to Tissera by Enver Marikar in the eighties when I was manning the Sports Desks of the 'Times' and the 'Daily Mirror' and the first thing he did was to invite me to his lovely estate - Delmar - in Nuwara Eliya to spend some Easter holidays.

And what a holiday it was. He had some of his other friends visiting him too and in the mornings he would invite all for a game of croquet and then later it would be a long 'arm bending' exercise. And in the evenings it was a visit to the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club.

Tissera was a legend among the planting community and was a planter of the British era. An Old Thomian, he was a wonderful golfer and was a tower of strength to the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club.

Nuwara Eliya and his large circle of friends will miss him. May his soul Rest in Peace.