We've managed to end 24 years of hurt down under, and what a fantastic achievement this was, winning the series in Australia's own back yard.
GREAT Britain, if you include Wales as well in England & Wales CB, in the new millennium, has now overseen two magical success's, and if you don't consider the Ashes as big as the World Cup, then think of it as cricket's equivalent.
The other, the Rugby World Cup. Martin Johnson lifting the Webb Ellis trophy in 2003, ironically in Australia. Admittedly, I am not a rugby lover, but I will always want the national side in any sport to do well, and the two winnings mentioned above are undoubtedly a few of the nation's sporting greatest achievements.
Some will say the Australians were, and still are going through a transition, but it doesn't matter. You have to beat what is front of you. This is what Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and head coach Andy Flower have done. Boy, we have kicked them where it really hurts.
Boys have become men in Australia. You can not criticise one member of England cricket team. Every single player has had a contribution; you may say, "Paul Collingwood didn't deserve his place?" Correct, he was off-form, but he took the most catches (9). Would it be a different case if it was someone else? Maybe, maybe not. From Alastair Cook's devastating run-fest, to Monty Panesar's drink duties, every single member of the Ashes squad can be so proud of what they have just done this morning (07 Jan, 2011).
Mike Gatting was the last successful captain to enjoy scenes similar to what Andrew Strauss has. This was such a long time. Years before I was even born. But the pain has healed, the Urn is coming home.
So, let's go to the country's national football side. 1966. A significant year. A recognised number. Why? This was the last time England has won a major tournament in this sport. Since then, the country has endured 44 (forty four) years of hurt. Another four more years until the next tournament, so this will be 48 years (that's forty eight) of more pain and misery.
The expectation of the football team is huge. Higher than you can ever imagine. The arrogance is disgusting. We, as a nation, seem to believe we DESERVE to win the World Cup. We do NOT. It takes years of progress, and will not happen over time. The rugby and Ashes winning respective sides, worked endlessly to achieve what they have done.
England cricket had never seemed to be going forward, until a change in hierachy scrapped old plans, introduced new ambitions and targets, and was met right on time. It has took years, and years for England to win three of the last four Ashes series, and it isn't on luck. Maybe, just maybe, the FA had ought to take a leaf out of the ECB's book, and follow their policy and initiatives.
England's fat cat bosses as well as players are earning embarrassingly, ridiculously high earnings for something they are ALL averagely good at. None of these players are WORLD-CLASS. None of them will ever reach the status Bobby Moore and the 1966 winning team reached.
Until everyone involved with England football and the FA take their head out of their behinds, the country will continue to bemoan another lacklustre tournament. The expectancy must lower, and there must be more graft behind to scenes. I will not go on, but for example, look at the amount of international/oversees football players that are playing in England. Just how on earth are young talent going to progress and improve if they do not even get a sniff of first-team football in the Premier League. That is one for example, but I could go on forever.
As the rugby and cricket national teams set to continue improving, England football will only settle for their pay packet at the end of the month. National pride and trophies were a thing of the past. Fast cars, mansions and money seem to be number one priority. Just how long will this last..?
