More thoughts on an Ashes drinking game

Seems lots of people are finding this blog searching for an Ashes drinking game.

I had some thoughts in an earlier post but my original thought of a pint for every wicket, while not bad as an average for the day, can be a bit of a killer if a couple of quick wickets go down, or could mean a completely dry afternoon if the Aussies are grinding it out.

I have had a quick search myself and haven't really come up with any other suggestions:
Beer Cricket Not sure about this one - seems only to be for 2 people, and to involve long sessions of watching the other one drink - perhaps I've missed something.
Silent Cricket Much too mathematical and geeky - wouldn't really want to play it in public, but it could be modified for actually being at the cricket - instead of advancing one number at a time, you could take it in turns to perform the correct action every time the score changes. Mistakes would receive the usual penalty.
Beer Cricket 2 Much too much running around and not a lot of beer - in fact, the only use for beers seems to be the empty bottles - so at least you get to drink 4 bottles before you play - could make it more interesting.
Aussie Cricket drinking game Given that we in the UK tend to drink pints, and have never heard of pots, middys, tinnys or stubbys, could be a little one dimensional, and possibly end up with puddles of piss on the floor when playing out for a draw.

I suppose the problem is that cricket can be quite a long game, with periods where not a lot happens. So you don't want to get too trollyed (sp?) too early - ie no shots, but you don't want to be there sipping at your beer whilst it rains with no action to keep you drinking.

Also - to conform to ECB rules, should it only be played with a maximum of 2 cans or a 75cl bottle of wine? I guess that only applies at Lord's now. Mind you, you don't want to go at it like to guys sat next to me at the Lord's test, who managed to finish their 2 bottles of wine before lunch, and then went missing for the afternoon session - where we actually got to see some Aussie wickets fall for a change.

Will give it some more thought and report back.

Well, no play,

so no beer so far.

Looks decent weather at Edgbaston at the moment, but the pitch still looks sodden - puddles on the ground, lots of water around, and there's the forecast of more showers to come. Even if they get to start, they could be off again fairly sharpish. So could be an interesting day for whoever gets to bat first.

Inspection at 12, but as the covers are still on, I can't see them starting until after lunch - Mmmmm lunch

Another day at Lord's

And the sun is shining for the FP final. Sussex 219-9. I suppose Hampshire must be a bit disappointed after taking so many early wickets, but Ssx dug in well, and ended up with more than they got in 2006. Can Kirtley do it again?

England win 2nd test at Lord's

So much for my negativity - I forgot to factor in Flintoff. He looks like he knows he only has to keep going for 3 more tests, and is giving it everything - absolute genius. As well as being a fantastically consistent fast bowler, he seems to take wickets by his force of personality. I'm sure many, more eloquent, words will be written about him over the next couple of months.

But at what point do we England fans change our default position from pessimism to optimism. The Aussies are generally optimistic, whereas the English are by default pessimistic. Even this morning, we (I), were still worrying about how we could lose the match, whereas the Aussie view-point is much more positive. Is this just cricket related, due to their global dominance over the past 20 years, or is it more related to the underlying Aussie / English psyche.

Whatever it is, it doesn't really matter today, 'cos we actually managed to beat the Aussies at Lord's.
Just have to find something to fill the next 10 days...

Well well well, day5

Well, four days, and it's still tense. Am I the only one afraid the Aussies might do it. When England declared yesterday, no one said it would not be enough, but now, I'm not so sure...

Is it only cricket that gives these sort of endings?

Have finally stocked up on some Fullers - ESB and Honey Dew - to help with the tension

Great day at Lord's yesterday

Weather held off well, with only a couple of interuptions - I was expecting worse, but in the end, the conditions helped England's bowlers.
As usual when I go to tests, it was an afternoon watching the opposition bat, but this time it was actually fun. There seemed to be hundreds of visiting Aussies in the gronud, and we were sat in front of MCC members - Melbourne Cricket Club - but finnily enough, they were pretty quiet all day ;-)

The beer was hand pulled Marsotn's Pedigree - not great, but not as bad as Richard complained about, and a lot better than electric.

At Lord's today

Not a great start, 3 wickets down in 15 mins, but Anderson and Onions have pushed past 400. Jan has gone to get the first beers of the day to celebrate 400 up.

Lunch on day one

First beer of the test, opening with a pint of Pedigree.

Tough morning for Australia - the ball was doing absolutely nothing, but their bowling was poor. Have to see if they can do anything different this afternoon. Perhaps I will get to see England bat at Lord's tomorrow...

Ashes beer tour mourns the announcement of Flintoff's retirement from tests.
The country will miss one of it's greatest drinkers.
Who around the current England set-up will be able to stand up and fill his drinking shoes - KP, Strauss - don't think so - much too professional. Just where will the future generation of outrageously talented all rounders (bat, bowl, drink) come from?

Morning everyone

Here we go again following the excitement of Sunday at Cardiff, the second test from Lord's.
I've been telling non-cricket watching friends that it actually got really tense for the last hour - they don't believe me - but bloody hell - that was real test cricket at its most exciting - the culmination of 5 days of play - and the Aussies didn't win ;-)

No beer so far this week - except for a one or five out with John in the rain on Tuesday - so am looking forward to today's play, and today's beer. I may have to pop out at lunch to get stocks of London Pride (as it's at Lord's), as I seem to have already drunk the ones I got last week.

Have been making up for the lack of cricket with old war films in the morning: Tora! Tora! Tora!
and Midway so far, and the Tour de France in the afternoons - great countryside to watch as some people sit on bikes in the foreground - and some actual British, well Manx, success for a change.

Given the Aussies history at Lord's - and the weather forecast - I'm not too optimistic, but perhaps England's new bowling sensation, and solid number 11 Steve Harmison can make the breakthrough he's been promising for the last couple of years.

Anyway - about an hour to go, weather's looking good for today...

Who'd have thought it

Monty being the batting hero for England to force a draw - does Ricky Ponting always look so sour?

Lots of people say 'how can you watch a game that takes 5 days, but still ends in a draw?' - but if the last hour was not nail biting sport, I don't know what is.

Mind you - next test is at Lord's - so can't see us winning that give our history there.

Just have to find some beer related sport until Thursday...

Aussies declare

on 674/6, leading by 239 - all to do for England - and no sign of rain yet.

Perhaps yesterday's drinking game is not such a good idea. Had four beers (Pride, Speckled Hen and Abbot) watching the Aussies bat on and on. Going down the pub later my also have been a mistake - oh well, you live and learn - or don't learn as the case may be...

Recovered from yesterday's exertions by being dragged down the pub for lunch - Spitfire on tap and lamb stew - amazing how a bit of food and beer can sort you out. Currently on the London Pride - worried I won't have any left for the Lord's test next week. This could work out to be quite expensive - perhaps England will collapse so I don't have to drink into a 5th day.

Maybe not such a good idea

Bloody hell, only just started on the beer for Hussey's wicket, and then Monty goes and bowls Pointing - could be hard work this drinking game - good job I had the warm up games against the West Indies. Hope Clarke and North can make it through to lunch to allow me to catch up...

Thought of an Ashes drinking game

- every time England take a wicket, I need to get a new drink - so am on my second pint of Pride. This game wouldn't have been a lot of fun yesterday tho, and might get a bit tricky if Monty gets a hat-trick - that would have to be shots... perhaps it needs a little more thought.

Day2, day 3

Yesterday was the sort of day I would have ended up watching if I'd actually got tickets and been there.
Whenever I went to watch the Ashes in 2005 (Lord's and the Oval), I seemed to end up spending the day watching the Aussies bat (and bat, and bat...).
Again, Australia showed that they can bat (and bat, and bat...) but that's not news I suppose. The only thing that failed to happen was the England bowlers failing to get the ball to do anything. Thought Anderson and Broad were meant to rip through the top order and the spin twins fizzing it to get bamboozle the tail. Didn't quite work out like that, so England have a lot to do, or rain to start preying for. Could be a long summer.

Anyway, England have the second new ball, so will see if that makes any difference.

No beers yesterday, but as it's Friday, it counts as the weekend, and it's coming up to lunchtime...

Hmmmm

end of day one - what can you say - honours even, or probably in the Aussies favour - if we had made the end of day with Matty and Freddie still in, I would have been very impressed. With Broad and Anderson, and Swann left, I'm not too happy - Australia's day I suppose.

In more exciting news, I enjoyed a couple of bottles of Pedigree - a lot better than what I drank years ago in Manchester. Bottle of Spitfire was good - as always, and a couple of Landlord's down the pub - again, great beer as always.

Hopefully our bowlers will bat and bowl well tomorrow...

New game

- Sainsbury's roulette. All you need to do is place an on-line order, and see what random items they bring you - today I scored eight loaves of white sliced, which I didn't order, and aren't on my bill - result - I think.
So if anyone needs any white bread, give us a shout - if there's too many requests, I might have to make some sort of quiz.

Beers so far: Pedigree and Spitfire - do like Spitfire - neither of them Welsh but what the hell...

Lunch on day 1

Sainsbury's turned up, so I now have beer. Wasn't able to get any Welsh beer, so that blows part of the reason for this blog - to drink beers related to the location of each test, oh well, just have to see if I can cope with other beers instead.

As it's lunchtime, I'm on my first pint of the Ashes - Marston's Pedigree - which is cricket related, as it's apparently a limited edition for the Ashes. Not sure exactly how limited, or if it's different to ordinary Pedigree - will let you know.

Suppose I ought to mention the cricket. Started well for England, and then seemed to go backwards pretty quickly. Given that I've said that whoever won the first session would win the Ashes, and with England at 97/3 the Aussies are on top, looks like I'm predicting an Australia win - not too controversial I suppose.
Hopefully I will be proved wrong.

Onto the afternon session.

And the first wicket falls

in the big game at Warwickshire.

Right - here we go, the Ashes 2009

England have won the toss and will bat - looks like decent weather there - cloudy, but its high, flufy clouds, not the sort to get the ball swinging.

England go with Swann and Monty - so 2 spinners.
Australia have left out Stuart Clark, so they have stuck with the attack used in South Africa.
Apparently both captains think the pitch will turn.
The forecast is mixed, with rain and sun fighting for attention, and more wet conditions predicted for the end of the week.

No beer so far - still a little early - and, I'm still waiting for my delivery from Sainsburys. I'm wondering if 100 quid on beer is a bit excessive, but it works out as 25 pounds per test, or 4 pounds per day if it goes to 5 days and could spend the fifth day watching the highlights again if a test finishes early.

Tests 5
Days 5
Total Days 25
Cost Of Beer 100
Cost Per Test 20
Cost Per Day 4

As well as watching on TV, I will also be following the Over By Over coverage from the Guardian: OBO

Predictions - could be close, will come down to how well the Aussie bowlers cope with the English conditions, and how the English batsmen respond. If they play to their full strnagths the two sides are evenly matched, and I think it will be pshcholigical as much as anything - same as in 2005 and 2006/7. If England beleive that they can win, then it could happen. So the first session is key - I predict that whoever wins the first session, will win the series - again same as in 2005
and 2006/7 .

It's getting exciting.

Only 1 day to go

- and news that Brett Lee is out for at least the first test which has to be good news for England.
The weather for Cardiff looks showery for the first day...

Been watching the Tour de France - great countryside to watch - does this mean I ought to be drinking wine?

Ha Ha John....

Oh yea of little faith:

This is the map


View County Cricket Ground, Beckenham in a larger map

Owt else you want me to link to?

Sussex by the sea

Day at Hove for Sussex vs Gloucestershire, drinking Cider - again, 'cos it was so hot - again, this summer is turning out to be fantastic for weather and for cricket.

Great game - thought Sussex were on for 350 after their great start, and Gloucestershire did well to hold it back to 326. Game on at half time, and Gloucestershire were looking good for the chase - chatted to a Gloucestershire fan whilst having a fag, he said that they didn't bat too deep, and he proved to be correct. Once Sussex started to take wickets they kept up the pressure with some great fielding, and were worthy winners - Lord's beckons - so hope there is the usual stand near the nursery end that does London Pride, otherwise could be a day of electric John Smith's ;-(

Alex Gidman looked great for Gloucestershire - apologies to his Dad for a boozy discussion at Lord's a couple of years ago.
Joyce also done good. Was saying that he has looked good for Sussex without looking great - perhaps he can now go on and become a Sussex great.

But the sun is shining, Sussex are off to Lord's and the Ashes starts on Wednesday - bring it on...

Only 6 days to go

to the Ashes - less than a week...

Looks like another hot and sunny day, so I'm choosing to spend it in front of the telly, watching England Lions vs the Aussies from Worcester.

The Aussie attack is not doing much - do they not like the hot weather? Moore and Denly are looking pretty untroubled so far...

Surprisingly enough, I've still not got beers sorted out, but am currently enjoying the cricket with a can of Strongbow it know it's not beer, but you have to have catholic tastes, and they all drink cider in that neck of the woods don't they ;-)

We did talk beer at Beckenham,

there was a thought that as the England team is sponsored by Marston's, I ought to just be drinking Pedigree, but Pedigree is not one of my favourite beers - too many dodgy pints in The Whitworth Arms when I was a lot younger have put me off.

I suppose I could alternate with the official sponsor of the Aussies, but even if we are in the middle of Australian weather, I'm not sure I could cope with a summer of VB.

It would be a bit boring, and probably make me ill, so I hastily discounted that idea.

We came up with a 'simple' list - ie a list of the obvious choices.
These are not necessarily the nicest, most interesting or even drinkable, they are just the ones you immediately think of:

Cardiff - Brains
Lord's - London Pride
Edgbaston - Bank's
Headingley - Tetley's
The Oval - Young's

Some of these look interesting - never really drunk much Brains, some of these I'm very familiar with - I have probably had more than my fair share of Pride and Young's, and some I'm not sure I'd fancy from bottles or cans - though I still maintain, usually to much derision, that you can get a decent pint of Tetley's if you are in Yorkshire.

Perhaps these can be fall back options in case there is nothing else - or I don't get my arse into gear and get anything ordered online.

BTW: is it just me, or are the official websites of these 'corporate' beers all pretty rubbish? Like most corporate sites, too much flash, background music, and no actual information. I suppose they can't really say
"Our beers are lovingly crafted in 200 gallon steel vats, then gently aged with a unique combination of artificial flavourings and preservatives, before being thrown onto a lorry, and then pumped by the magic of electricity and nitrogen into a glass for your drinking pleasure"

Will try to find some more interesting beer sites to link to.

Hot, hot day at Beckenham yesterday

watching Kent wilt against Gloucestershire.

No shadeat all at the ground, so thought I'd be burned to a crisp, but seem remarkably ok today.
Shockingly poor beer facilities at the ground - no hand pumps on in the pavillion - and Spitfire is my favourite beer too ;-(
Richard and I consoled ourselves with the thought that it was too hot for bitter, and a pint of cider would go down well - it was Gloucestershire after all, and they drink cider down there don't they?
Unfortunately, the cider was also off. Leaving us with the only option: Oranjeboom (its a lager not a tune) - better than nothing, but only just... Rob did buy me a bottle of Spitfire, but I'm not convinced its a drink for a hot summers day.

We only managed to last in the sun until 3 o'clock - just before Kent colapsed. We then headed off to find a pub to cool off in. Beckenham doesn't seem overly blessed with pubs, so after what seemed like miles of walking - with lots of comments such as "are we in Bromley yet?" and "I'm sure I can see the sea from here", Jan finally brought us to his chosen destination - The Jolly Woodman:
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/19/19597/Jolly_Woodman/Beckenham

what a cracking pub - well worth the hike.
Several beers on tap - Landlord and Harvey's, but as I get both of those at home and we were in London, I went for the Young's ordinary - very nice, and not too strong. There was also some Phoenix related beer, not sure exactly where that was from - the heat and the earlier beers were starting to take their toll. Excellent atmosphere and lovely and cool - the street it was in was full of beautiful cottages - highly recommended if you happen to be lost in the wilds of south London

This is an attempt at a google map to show exactly how far we had to walk:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=113463879632785179726.00046da3f1a1097d41b58&ll=51.415214,-0.018969&spn=0.027086,0.055962&z=14

seemed like miles in the heat.