Day 54 - It’s the Hope that Kills You

​I have discovered something interesting psychologically during my time Down Under - however rubbish a day’s play at the cricket is, I always wake up the next day with hope of England turning it around. This was certainly the case today. I woke up to a day of perfect weather (in the high twenties), an excellent bacon buttie, and something that felt just that little bit like hope.

Stokes and Archer only added to this feeling as they batted beautifully for the first hour or so of the morning. Both got half centuries with Archer’s being his first test match fifty. It was brilliant to watch.


Despite a first inning’s deficit of 85, when Carse got Weatherald out LBW before lunch, there really was some hope around. To mark such a great moment, I enjoyed an England doughnut. It may have been an ominous sign that it looked good, but wasn’t actually as good as it looked!


Anyway, the Aussies were soon two down - actual hope! Things faded a bit then as England never actually applied any pressure at all. Much as I love both Root and Jacks, one really does have to question how they were bowling half the overs with the Ashes on the line. 

Things seemed pretty desperate, but then there were two more wickets. There was a glimmer of hope again. Then Travis Head totally took that away with an excellent century, ably supported by Carey. They did play very well (although Head could have been caught out on 99) but England’s tactics really did not help.


By the close of play, Australia were 356 runs ahead. Surely not even I will be optimistic in the morning!?

In order to soften the blow, I walked a very scenic route back into the cute centre, walking along the north bank of the river and then up through the university. Of course, I took the opportunity to find a couple of geocaches in the process too!


The city centre was absolutely heaving. There were a LOT of people out for a good time! I umm-ed and ahh-ed about joining them, but ultimately decided to have some dinner in the diner by my hotel.

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