"Scream it like you hate that bitch"

Such was the advice given to a pre-Pixies Black Francis by a minor South East Asian pop star. Nothing to do with cricket there, but if John Buchanan can use Lao Tzu to motivate his fellas, then I'd like to suggest that Duncan Fletcher try invoking Black Francis' mentor. If a few shared drinks have softened the attitudes of the England lads to their opponents, a quick perusal of some of the pearls that John Buchanan deigns to share with the general public now and again might put them back on track. On second thoughts, those pearls might just make them laugh, especially that revelation near the end about how John has encourage his players to learn new words. Opportunity there for some creative sledging methinks.
Anyway, just a couple of days now until the next test and it seems that quite a number of people might be getting that gearing-up-for-a-test-match feeling for the first time. The press since the last test has been chocka with a broad gallimaufry (hey John, maybe that idea of yours wasn't so bad after all) of articles about cricket's new popularity. My favourite was this one, by a woman who's developed an interest in the game. Maybe the next time I tell someone that I like cricket then I won't feel the need to do so apologetically. I always try to explain that's what great about it are the characters and the way you can dip in and out of it, and that it goes on for five days, and can change suddenly, and you can do all the housework while listening to the commentary, which is great in itself (the commentary, not the housework), but I don't think I've ever convinced anyone. I've never expected to, truth be told. Now it seems as if a combination of a great ashes series and Simon Jones' torso may have achieved the apparently impossible. That's OK by me. I'm not bitter. Lust will become love soon enough. Of course, it's also great that loads of kids have been getting into the game too. I've even been practicing my creaky bowling action. As a result, my back hurts and I will stop.
Whether all of this lasts is a different matter. By the time that Sri Lanka arrive next May then this Ashes series will be a distant memory and the papers will be full of speculation about the state of David Beckham's linguistic skills (cunning) in the build up to the next World Cup (the World Cup, not the Cricket World Cup, which is one day cricket anyway and therefore crap). Now part of me isn't too bothered about this. Frankly, selfishly, I want to be able to get tickets to watch several days play of both Lord's Test matches. On each of those days, after tea if not earlier, I'll go sit in the Mound Stand, square of the wicket, to enjoy the evening sun with a beer and then probably another. I'm dreaming about it already, the honey light, the Lord's murmur, heaven on earth, or quite close to it anyway (unless Graeme Smith is making a very ugly double century, which he won't be, because the second test is against Pakistan). But if cricket remains popular then my chances of acquiring said tickets will be minimal.
The authorities have done their bit to help me out by selling the television rights to Sky. Oh dear. When I first heard the news, back whenever, I felt like I had when Dubya was reelected: gutted and disbelieving that anyone could sanction such a ridiculous decision? Without wishing to sound too prejudiced (or, as David Houghton might say, "No disrespect, but..."), one does half expects such idiocy of our friends across the pond, but of the ECB? Mmm... Well, anyway, it does mean that if I'm back in the UK next summer, I'll have to shell out for a satellite dish and subscribe to line Murdoch's pockets, even though I'd rather do lots of other nasty things instead. To confirm the hint of leftiness given in my reference to Dubya up above, yes, I do believe Murdoch is a force of evil (as does his son perhaps, but I digress). So I might just continue to make do with the radio.
It is a bit annoying that people are only really kicking up a fuss now, when the deal was done months ago. I've also read that Channel 4 didn't even offer as much this time as they had for the previous set of rights, so I guess that the ECB were put in a difficult decision. It is a shame though. Worst of all, watching the cricket will mean having to listen to Botham, Willis, Allott... What is David Gower doing with that lot?
Still, for the time being, all is good in the world of the English cricket fan. I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts. Old Punter may call correctly come Thursday morning, and the ball may not reverse swing (Trent Bridge having a relatively lush outfield) meaning that a couple of days in the field for England's new heroes wouldn't be out of the question. Then we'd get beat by an innings and... I'd have no problems getting tickets for the Lord's Tests next year. I can't lose.