The Red Arrows of hype having flown past the bustling cricket ground of anticipation, it’s time to pay regards to Steve Smith’s magnificent half-century, Mitchell Starc’s mystery wide-beamer and Ashton Agar’s family and friends. Yes – it’s the post-first Ashes Test 51allout podcast and the moral compass is spinning wildly out of control like Stuart Broad’s twitter feed.
The first day of the Ashes: hyped to buggery, but not bad entertainment.
With Ashes fever causing literally some people to lie down in a cold room, 51allout dampen down expectations like a wet flannel upon a pounding forehead. There’s talk of all the main players, such as Shane Watson, Tim Bresnan and Gordon Banks and various ancilliary media figures get a bit of a slating.
Another epic series, only this time with more Saj Mahmood.
The Duckworth Lewis Method return with a second album.
The 51allout gang battle technical hitches, mental suffering and gin-related pain this week to discuss everything that’s cooking in the cricketing kitchen. Hear what they have to say about the build-up to the Ashes, Boof’s Australian team and James Tredwell’s glorious tenure as an international captain.
Cricketers and bad television commercials go together like Hendrick’s gin, Schweppes tonic, a slice of Waitrose organic cucumber and some ICC-approved non-branded ice.
Plenty to discuss this week: Australia’s latest farce, the Champions Trophy shambles and general cricketing bedlam.