There are many great sporting events in Australia that attract supporters and attention from across the country.
For some, the highlight of the calendar will be the NRL Grand Final, whereas others may be into Aussie Rules or soccer. However, one of the most popular sports is cricket and the pinnacle for any Australian, whether you are an aspiring player or a fan, has to be The Ashes against England.
The Test series is seen as the ultimate for all connected to the game in both countries, and there are so many factors that contribute to making it one of the best sporting events around.
Firstly, it’s steeped in history. Any individual taking to the field will know they are playing in a rivalry that started way back in 1882 and it has continued to produce remarkable moments ever since.
Source: Unsplash
It can also transform the lives of the players involved. Shane Warne became a household name after his ‘ball of the century’ some 27 years ago, whilst Steve Smith’s turnaround from villain to hero in Australian cricket stemmed from his absurd scores in the 2019 Ashes Tests.
With drama guaranteed, these games always attract huge crowds too, and part of the experience is the banter that develops between players and supporters on both sides over the five days. That atmosphere is certainly unique for Test cricket and highlights how the Ashes is different from any regular international fixtures.
Thankfully for Australia, they have started to wrestle back control when it comes to winning the little urn as well. After dominating the English from 1989 until 2003, where the Aussies were victorious in eight successive series, the hosts finally won the urn in 2005. That saw all 11 players awarded MBE’s, demonstrating the scale of the achievement and proving just how big this game really is.
A hugely successful period for England followed, as they won three of the next four series’ after 2005, but Australia are now back in the driving seat.
A comprehensive 4-0 win over the tourists two years ago meant skipper Tim Paine and the team knew a draw would ensure they retained the urn in 2019. And, they did just that, despite the remarkable innings from Ben Stokes and Jack Leach that kept English hopes alive in the third Test.
So, all eyes are now on the next instalment of this historic rivalry, and the latest cricket betting odds suggest another Australian victory should be on the cards, as they start as 8/15 favourites to win the series outright.
#OnThisDay two years ago, Australia defeated England in the third Test in Perth by an innings and 41 runs to regain the #Ashes
Steve Smith was the Player of the Match for his incredible knock of 239 👏 pic.twitter.com/4kIB5OCdR2
— ICC (@ICC) December 18, 2019
In truth, that’s understandable too. Not only do the team boast several world-class players, including arguably the best batsman on the planet in Steve Smith, but they also have home advantage, something which has been crucial over the years.
The only downside to all of this is that we have to wait until November 2021 until the next battle commences, although that does give you time to plan how you can watch one of the best events in Australian sport.
