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Final Ashes countdown

Test cricket
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Ponting and Flintoff with the Ashes urn

Our Ashes countdown has been running for the last 100 days, closing in on the start of play at the Gabba for the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series of all time.

Even hardened cynics like this one have finally been caught up in Ashes fever over the last few days, starting to see the significance of every bit of injury news.

The teams - and the 500 or so journalists who are with them in Brisbane - don't have to worry about anything now except for setting their alarm clocks.

Those of us back in the UK have another agonizing few hours of daylight before the whole thing kicks off.

And it gives us a few more hours of pondering England's selection quandaries:
Don't even start on the England wicket-keeper debate.
Should Monty Panesar or Ashley Giles take the spinner's role?
Will Ian Bell recover sufficiently from a bruised left wrist to exhibit his full repertoire of shots?
Is Steve Harmison up to the task of carrying England's attack?
Is Andrew Flintoff really fully recovered from ankle surgery and ready to play a full part?

Australia have a few issues of their own after the injury to all-rounder Shane Watson, but there won't be many England fans feeling their pain.

There will be plenty wondering, though, whether Glenn McGrath has one more big Ashes series left in him.

And then there are the more practical matters, like where and how to watch.

I'm trying to work out whether to head to London's Sports Café to watch with others, or to sleep fitfully on the sofa at home, hoping the digital delay between the DAB radio and the telly is as little as possible.

Join me in the final few hours of Ashes anticipation.

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comment by salfordred2006 (U6688542)

posted Nov 22, 2006

Sat here in work in Melbourne Australia think ive bitten every nail off, you wont believe what it means to this country, goint to adelaide and evry day at Melbourne, got my barmy army polo, looking forward to the urn returning north, come on Harmy get that arm going!!!

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comment by BiffaClark (U6688527)

posted Nov 22, 2006

Nervously waiting here in South Carolina for the first ball. England will do it but we must get off to a good start. This is exciting!

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comment by BiffaClark (U6688527)

posted Nov 22, 2006

ParisBull - try willowtv.com. They are live streaming video over the net of all 5 tests.

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comment by Powelly87 (U4813553)

posted Nov 22, 2006

i want giles instead of monty

WE NEED EXPERIENCE !!!!!!!!

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comment by inyermush (U6688446)

posted Nov 22, 2006

We need to win the toss and then keep the old men in the field for two days.

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comment by Chris_in_singapore (U6688529)

posted Nov 22, 2006

Morning / evening everyone. It's 6:55am here in Singapore. I can't contain myself! This is going to be an awesome series and hopefully with the right result. I work with a lot of Aussie's who are cock sure that the ashes are returnin to them. No so, but we do need to play monty.

Enjoy the series!

EVERYWHERE WE GO, PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW....

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comment by alieninnewyork (U6688564)

posted Nov 22, 2006

I'm also in the good old usofa, and am pleased that I only have to stay up until 3am as opposed to all night!......

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comment by Snake_at_square_leg (U1949282)

posted Nov 24, 2006

Going rather well, isn't it chaps? As you all predicted.

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comment by salfordred2006 (U6688542)

posted Nov 24, 2006

in melbourne been here 2 years, watched all day one and two, thought the fielding positions were not agresive enough and allowed them to settle quickly into a rythum, pace bowlers have to chip in and help Freddie in the next innings, we have got our work cut out now, dont forget though we lost the first test last time round and havent won at the Gabba for 20 years, not much is new

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comment by salfordred2006 (U6688542)

posted Nov 30, 2006

cant believe they have not put it on live in Blighty, sat here in Melbourne 9.30am waiting for the toss result???

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