It's a lock out

The Australian writers who were locked out of the ground in Brisbane need not worry if the media dispute over images and online use makes it to parliament. Old John Howard will surely sort it out. Cricket has a funny habit of making the headlines when it comes to disputes such as this. Perhaps it is the slow pace of the game that allows the splash, as opposed to the Rugby and Soccer World Cups when governing bodies relent and everyone is happy.

The bottom image is Aggers famously reporting from Galle.

Loving a good Ashes omen

I've arrived in Sydney, 49 hours after setting off on a nightmare journey from London. Can't complain and hopefully this will be the start of a memorable trip, which will take in four cities, Christmas and an almighty New Years Eve party.

The airport cabbie had a local Sydney station on this morning and the 7am weather news took in all of Australia's major cities, ending with London as "a paltry 14 degrees". Surely this wouldn't happen outside an Ashes series?

The station's London man came on next. Russian spies and Prince Harry both took preference over his thoughts on the Ashes, but it was worth the wait; dig out those 1955 Wisden's because the reporter consulted one himself and came out with a cracker.

The 1954/55 Ashes series started at Brisbane, where the home side racked up a familiar 600+ before England subsided with two low innings. Three months later, England had won the series 3-1.

During last summer, I somehow got the call-up to appear a couple of times on Sky News to talk about the Ashes. I was bricking it both times. The first one was a link up from its Westminster Studio and I was sparring against an Aussie journo who was with the presenters. It was quite trying too, as being told to look down the camera when replying to a question, while all the time trying to remember your key points, was pretty demanding in my book.

This took place the day before the final Test and I had researched a decent Oval omen - England racking up a huge 900 total to take the game away from Australia in 1938. Because of the elements, this was the only thing I could remember and, as a result, mates still take the piss for me saying 'good omens' about ten times over the course of the debate.

Brisbane blues

Several England batsmen are going to have to score some big runs to deny Australia an emphatic first Test victory, with two days left.

I won't be posting for a few days as off to Australia in the morning. I was rueing the decision to fly during the Test but it's not so bad now. In the meantime do leave messages below on your thoughts from the Brisbane Test; maybe there will be some Ashes salvation when I find out the outcome of the game on Monday?

In the meantime, a couple of Aussie links have been sent my way. Firstly, ballooning over Brisbane (possibly to spot Harmy's wayward deliveries) is apparently a great way to see the city and watch Barmy Army regulars stumbling back to their city hotels.

Secondly, an Aussie blog worth checking out here, event though the strapline suggests it being "Virutally (sic) unintelligible to non-Australians". See you in a few days!

Remember, Remember...

November, and Australia seems awash with summer love at the moment.

Okay, England's cricketers slightly ruined the fun when they arrived in Sydney on Sunday to grey skies before they were whisked out of a side exit, but it didn't take long for rays of light to return to Kingsford Smith Airport when Kylie Minogue stepped through customs.

The pop princess and all-round national darling is back on tour this month in Brisbane, where the first Ashes Test takes place. Those five days will no doubt see thousands of fans with real moustaches, as it forms part of Movember, the annual 'grow a mo' to raise male cancer awareness. (A year ago, England's players decided on the same theme as part of a team-building ploy.)

However, the November fun really begins tomorrow when Australia grinds to a halt to watch horse racing's Melbourne Cup. On the equine theme, Nutley will be recalling the 1983 harness racing duel between Ian Botham and Dennis Lillee during this Ashes series. I had never heard of this contest before (has anyone else?) and sounded hilarious. Stay tuned!