In 2005, Glenn McGrath suggested that Australia would win the series 5-0. Actually, with McGrath, Warne, Ponting et al that was perfectly possible. The first test went to Australia comfortably.
Just before the second test McGrath twisted his ankle by stepping on a ball while warming up in the outfield and this piece of bad luck for Australia changed the whole series. In the closest ever ashes test, England won by two runs.
The third test ended in a draw (but again England was only one wicket from a victory). England won at Trent Bridge but not before losing seven wickets in chasing 129. This series was dominated by the swinging ball. Australia struggled to deal with swing and reverse swing. Warne continued to torment England but without McGrath at the other end he was unable to turn the screw.
By the time we got to the final test at the Oval the UK was electric with ashes talk. Australia had held the Ashes for 16 years. Kevin Pieterson scored his maiden test century to set Australia 341 to win the game. But Australia never got a chance to chase this total as bad light stopped play and England won the ashes back after eight dry series. The celebrations in Trafalgar Square the next day were unbelievable. Thousands of fans filled the centre of London to cheer on the victorious team.
Ashes business
So as I sit here in Sydney, surrounded by an office full of mostly British and Australian staff, I can say we’re very much looking forward to England visiting Australia at the end of 2010. We are expecting 20,000-30,000 British fans to follow the teams in Australia. UK Trade & Investment Australia want to ensure that business people make the most of their trip to Oz by not only seeing England retain the Ashes, but also finding opportunities for their business here in Australia.
We believe that there are great opportunities for clever UK companies in Australia and so we’re planning business matching events in every city around each of the Ashes matches to help British business capitalise on them. This is a great opportunity for UK companies already in Australia to expand their markets and for companies new to the region to validate the opportunities for their business.
If you are interested, or know a company that might be coming to the Ashes, visit www.UKTIAustralia.com for more information and to register.
Come on England!
Paul Noon
Deputy Consul-General & Director of Trade and Investment, Australia
Read the Ashes is big business – part 1.
1 comment
Comment by Ioan Popa posted on
Come on England 🙂 nice one.