Bring on the Ashes!
It’s only a few days until I begin the biggest winter of my career and I’ve not even thought about packing yet so I had better get on with it.
I can’t wait to step on the plane on Friday and get going to Australia - I’m really excited about it.
We are normally allocated seats on the plane in alphabetical order so it looks like I’ll be next to Monty Panesar and Kevin Pietersen, which is an interesting mix of characters.
We’ve all had to hand our passports in to the ECB so there’s no chance of anyone missing the flight because they’ve forgotten to bring theirs.
There’s quite a lot of England kit to take and I’ll probably pack a couple of pairs of jeans and a few T-shirts but I’m hoping to buy some new clothes when I’m out there.
I’ll be taking a few DVDs as well although I’ve not decided on which ones to pack. I’m a bit of a film buff and I have more than 400 DVDs in my collection – with a room dedicated to them in my new house!
With the Ashes looming, though, this week has all been about family.
I became an uncle for the second and third time as my sister Natalie gave birth to twin girls by Caesarean section.
They were born premature, with Sophie only weighing 1lb 11oz and Katie 3lb.
They are in the special care baby unit at and are progressing well although they will be in there for a while.
It was lovely to see them as soon as they were born and I’m going to pop and see them a couple more times before I head off to Australia.
As a bit of a send-off we're having a big family meal.
My girlfriend Lisa will be there as well as my mum and dad, my sister and her husband as well as my nephew Charlie.
Lisa is heading out to Australia with the rest of the England squad’s wives and girlfriends in mid-November.
She works for a large supermarket chain and they have been very understanding in giving her breaks so she can come and see me and in fact she came out to India earlier in the year.
The girls generated a lot of media interest during last summer’s Ashes series but I think this time they want to stay out of limelight and let the cricket do the talking instead.
My mum and dad will be there over Christmas and New Year for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests and I’ve got relatives who live in Australia who will be coming to see me – and supporting England of course!
In the last few days before we leave, there is still plenty of focus on keeping up my fitness and training and I’ve spent time with Geoff Cook, who is a Durham Academy coach.
I’ve known him for quite a while now and he always brings me down to earth.
In the last couple of weeks I’ve been practising quite a lot with the bat and Geoff has been bowling to me off 18 yards, instead of the normal 22 yards, to see how quick my reactions are, which was a really useful exercise.
Now it's time for all my hard work and training to pay off as we take on Australia in Australia for the Ashes.
Bring it on!
This is it mate, good luck getting a spot, you got your work cut out for you. You know how Fletcher likes 3 dimensional cricketers, so maybe your batting skills will pay off!
R Ponting b Plunkett 0 (1)
I'll be keeping a look out for that!
Complain about this postGood luck to you and the boys down under. I will be watching every ball bowled.
Complain about this post>We are normally allocated seats on the plane in alphabetical order so it looks like I’ll be next to Monty Panesar and Kevin Pietersen
Umm... Just as well you're not picked for your literary talents. I think you'll find that you'll be sitting between KP and Chris Read, not next to Monty. Curiously the ECB site can't remember their alphabet either.
Best of luck!
Mike
Complain about this postGood luck Liam, hope you and the lads skittle those overconfident Aussies...can't wait for the Ashes to start
Complain about this postAll the very best fella, whilst living in NZ the Ashes last year gave me many a sleepless night....now I have moved back to the UK (bad planning) I hope for many more.....beat them up good for us!!
Complain about this postBest of luck, Liam. We'll be cheering for you and all the boys, so do us proud!
Complain about this postIt's summer over there so pack some shorts not jeans.
Good luck, can't wait.
Complain about this postDo the job mate, skittle the Aussies and smash a maiden test century.
Complain about this postAll the best Liam, i hope you can do some damage with the ball out there! It would also be a laugh if you could make a big score just to wind up Glenn and Shane!!
Complain about this postI want to wish the England Cricket Team (or as I prefer to call them - the team fielded by the England & Wales Cricket Board) on their Ashes Tour to Australia. I've been a cricket fan for years, but like the rest of the nation, last Summer I was transfixed by the incredible contest for that little urn. The passion, the tension and the sportmanship displayed by both teams reminded me of what a true sporting contest should be. I used to be a big football fan, but I must confess, the beautiful game has lost some of it's sparkle by comparison.
Complain about this postI have a feeling that Australia might just sneak this one. They have home advantage and, for many in a great Australian side, this contest will be their last great hurrah. If the Aussies do win, I think that will be the last time for a few years. It's an old side and when those great players retire, there will be a void. How do you replace Glen & Shane? Their batting order are not exactly spring chickens either.
Whatever happens, it will be close and I anticipate another contest where passion, skill and sportsmanship will shine, casting a shadow over the exhibition of petulance, corruption and self interest that the beautiful game as descended into.
Liam,
Big Fan,
I think the key to beating the Australians will be by keeping them guessing and mixing up deliveries and lengths. Do you agree? Have you made any changes to your style in the build up to this series?
Complain about this postNo disrepect but Geoff bowling at 18 yards is not the same as Lee coming down of a full run. We know you can bat so go out there and prove it.
Bring back the urn.
Complain about this postLiam,
Big Fan,
I think the key to beating the Australians will be by keeping them guessing and mixing up deliveries and lengths. Do you agree? Have you made any changes to your style in the build up to this series?
Complain about this postGood spot from Mike (9.16am) regarding the alphabetical order.
Liam blog is one thing - he has the excuse of being a professional sportsman and not a wordsmith. But the link to this blog from our main sport front page was by us at ±«Óãtv Sport, and that said he'd be between Monty and KP.
I've tweaked this now, to suggest he will merely be 'with them'.
Eagle eyes indeed Mike!
Regards,
Complain about this postLewis,
Assistant Editor.
Looking forward to seeing you down here. You might want to pack a few more clothes though! There's not loads of shopping to be done here.... Although you could pop into my Brother in law's place (Alfie's) in Balmain before your match against the NSW Blues on the 10th of November!
Complain about this postI wish you and the boys the best of luck and hope you can pull it off again and bag another series against the Aussies. C'mon England!
Good luck Liam, all the best to the team as well.
Try not to go for Boons record of amount of beers cosumed on a flight over..55 i think it is!!
Having lived in OZ, I hope you arent expecting to buy too many fashionable clothes out there! Its all bush hats or surf gear!
anyway. all the best
Complain about this postUmm... Just as well you're not picked for your literary talents. I think you'll find that you'll be sitting between KP and Chris Read, not next to Monty. Curiously the ECB site can't remember their alphabet either.
Unless it's by first name ;)
Good luck Liam. I'll be rooting for all of you!
Complain about this postGo for it Liam! Everyone here is behind you 100%. Let's get the real cricket going and show the world what we are made of. Good luck
Complain about this postGood luck mate! & to the rest of the boys, should be a great series. I'm confident we'll retain the ashes, though it won't be by much; maybe 2 -1?
Complain about this postvery intrestin
Complain about this postLiam,
I've never been to OZ, so I have no shopping tips for you... but I do have experience with premature babies, so wish your sister all the best. I'm sure your nieces will turn out fine!
Good luck! We'll be cheering you on from your first ball!
Ciao!
Complain about this postAlex
Complain about this posthi ...being an indian i felt very bad when aussies defeated india in champions trophy .... i want to see england defeating aussies on their home soil.
just remember one thing "you guys can do it ... your win will make millions of indians happy ...we indians hate aussies dominance".
If you're sitting next to KP make sure to bring some earplugs on the plane!!
I also hope your parents bring you some nice xmas presents to cheer you up, as it'll be 3-0 to the mighty Oz by that stage......
I was an Aussie living in London last year and copped an earful every day at work after the Ashes for about 6 months - I'm back living in sunny Melbourne and plan to give the 3 poms who work in my area some sweet revenge this year!!!
Ooh-Aah Glenn McGrath I said Ooh-Aah Glenn McGrath!
Complain about this post"Ooh-Aah Glenn McGrath I said Ooh-Aah"
Is that what he was shouting when he tripped over the cricket ball? :D
Complain about this postLiam, just go out there level headed and relaxed. Just do your job and we'll br bringing the little urn back. I missed out on the victory parade last time as it conincied with my first day at college, so do everyone a favour abd win so we can go on the piss in london!
Good luck mate!
Complain about this postFocus on your cricket mate, not your bloody dvd's!
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Its very interesting to read your blog. I am an Indian and will be watching the Ashes as a neutral, I sure hope its as interesting as it was the last time around.
Here's wishing you the very best.
PS: Me mind still says that the Aussies are going to win it!
PPS: Is that you and Lisa in front of the Taj Mahal?
Complain about this postI think if England do not play at their best it might be very embarassing especially after those over the top celabrations for beating ONE team.
Complain about this postGood luck to all the England team! If we pull together as a team and everyone performs to their best, we've every chance!
Looking forward to the Sydney test, I'll be there! Hopefully the series will already be won or it will the tense decider that England will win!!!
Complain about this postGood luck mate. Keep the ashes in England we dont want to give them back for a long time
p.s try your best to wind up aussie batsman the best you can. They cant take the abuse!!!
Complain about this posthi, best of luck!!!
what is your best spot of shopping in England?
Complain about this postHey liam, Greetings from India, firstly congratulations on becoming an uncle once again. i think this blog is a great idea, its gives us a very good insight into the game through an international cricketeers point of view.
Complain about this postBest of luck for the ashes, will be rooting for you guys like i did the last time over (quite fed up of seeing the aussies win everything). Really hope you guys do well - Nikhil
Hi although I am at school, I am going to try to watch as much of the ashes as possible. Rinse the Aussies in the first test and it should be alot easier from there on. Bring on the 23rd!!
Complain about this postP.S. (I don't mind if you win in the first 2 days)
Just wanted to wish you good luck! Remember to bowl fuller balls at ponting early on! I have got a good feeling about this tour and hope Monty can tear those aussies apart!
Complain about this postBest of luck in Australia Liam, I'll be there to cheer you and the lads on at the SCG.
And going back to the flight seating thing, do the players in the Academy side fly out on the same plane? If so, you could be sitting between KP and Matt Prior.
Complain about this postI would like to wish you the best of Luck......although I am an Aussie I am expecting a close and enthralling series, played in the greatest of spirits.
I find your blogs and interesting insight into the life of a professional English cricketer, and am often amused by the experiences of you and your team.
Although I live in London I am originally from Geelong 50 miles from Melbourne and will be there on Boxing Day. I am more than happy to let you know where the best places to take your family girlfriend teammates on a night or a day out...
Anyway Good Luck
Lucas Friend
Complain about this postWhy are you watching films when you could be watching DVDs of last years Ashes, surely that will help you rather than watching Mission Impossible. Oh, the 2007 Ashes series is to be called Mission impossible
Complain about this postsorry to say Liam, but I'm hoping that you don't get picked. Hope you have a nice time in australia anyway.
Complain about this postLiam,
Huge fan,
Come on you aussies, bet your nervous about facing Freddie and Monty.
Complain about this postgood luck
Complain about this postin the ashes
Whats it like traveling with kp and monty panasar?
Complain about this postGood luck in Auz
helen xx
good luck liam. i think you can edge ahead of mahmood and anderson for a place in the side, both one day and test.
Complain about this postfor england to have any chance they have to meet australia head on in brisbane. as they have not lost a test there in 18 years, it's a tough ask! if australia win convincingly in the 1st test then recent history would suggest a comfortable aussie win.
also best of luck to colly and harmison.
do you think that you 3 players from durham can perform for england this winter?
hey good luck 4 the winter ahead!! i hope u have a gr8 series n win the Ashes of course!! itll all be good 2 watch
i hope ur twin nieces r ok. im a twin n was born premature so i no itll b kinda hard 4 every1 4 a while!!
Complain about this postItl be tough to get in because of englands strength in seam bowling. Good luck though!
Complain about this postI recommend the Lost DVD series to watch! Gripping stuff..
Good luck with the defence, will be cheering you guys on all the way!
Complain about this postHope all of you have a great trip.
Complain about this postGot the TV and radio ready.
The fridge is full.
Here's to sleeplesss nights and great days talking about how we stuffed the Aussies.
"you guys can do it ... your win will make millions of indians happy ...we indians hate aussies dominance".
Aww diddums, perhaps you should focus more on the current lack of mental strength the Indians have had when they've faced the Australialians ever since the World Cup slaughtering, as oppossed to hating a team who plays positive, aggressive cricket and does it very well and will continue to do.
Complain about this postHi Liam. I am glad the ashes are starting soon as it will be nice to have them back in our posession (as an aussie). I really cant see you guys even winning a tour match this winter if champions trophy results are anything to go by. Good luck though as we do want an entertaining summer of cricket, though 5-0 would also be great. I will be there on the 2nd day of the boxing day test giving it to you from the outer (as you did to us last year)!! My question is.. are you planning to wear ear muffs? There will be 100,000 other aussies with the same idea as me. Cheers... Mick
Complain about this postYou write an interesting blog. All the best as YOU and England hopefully humiliate Australia. They need to be brought down a peg or two
Complain about this postGood luck Liam. Not much chance that you can retain the Ashes, so make sure you have lots of fun and give the other guys playing plenty of batting practice in the nets (instead of watching DVD's). They will need it!
Complain about this post"You write an interesting blog. All the best as YOU and England hopefully humiliate Australia. They need to be brought down a peg or two."
Perhaps if your team was anywhere near good enough to compete with Australia you wouldn't have to resort be feeding off the success other teams have against them. Must be tough supporting anyone who plays against Australia, since they're most likely to lose. Sad really,
Complain about this postAs a pom living out here in australia i'll tell you this, they are so over confident, they don't seem to understand that our bowlers are actually better suited to the gabba pitch than theirs. You have a fantastic oppurtunity to prove these arrogant whingers that they have lost their spot as the best team in the world.
Good luck, especially with the 24hr flight with those two next to you!!
C'MON the England
Complain about this posthi
Complain about this postdear
well about seats i think you will enjoy kp company + monty good mix anyway i hav an advice for you if you feel not good [hope u dont feel like this] than do this feel relax no need to take tension close your eyes and think about god
i know god will give u power do to what u want too
and ya if u feel that your bag is to heavy than dont worry about it becoz my prayers are going with you in bag and pockets and after reading this in your mind
so best of luck
takecare of liam
and congratz to sister may god bless her babys
Good Luck mate, hope you get picked, lets take some wickets for the cleveland boys!!!!!!!!!
Complain about this postAll the best, hope you're spotted wearing a Boro football shirt when you're out there!
Complain about this postmike, talk about anal retention!!! why don't you spell check the whole bbc site!!
liam go get em mate - cant wait for the ashes, it's great that we've got a team to be proud of again, not like our footballers!
tom
Complain about this postBest of luck, Liam! It must be an amazing feeling knowing that you're going out there, knowing you'll be facing some of the world's greatest players, but safe in the knowledge you have a whole country behind you...
Let's show the Aussie old-timers how it's done!
Complain about this postHey,
Complain about this postYou have to win the Ashes for all the people back in England who wil have no sleep from Nov to Jan and will be soooo knackered! make it all worth it!!! :P
Good luck, hope its as close as last summer!
The best of luck to Ali cook as well :)
Becky xxx
Best of luck Liam. I and my friends watch Durham at Chester le Street. I'm know that I speak for all of us who sit around the pavilion steps there when I say we'll be rooting for you, Colly and Harmy to do a job on the Aussies.
Rock On Mate
Complain about this postRoy
good luck mate! this is your chance to shine whilst wearing the england shirt and the key things are relax stay positive and most of all enjoy the experince and play with a smile on your face!!!
Complain about this post"Let's show the Aussie old-timers how it's done!"
Or perhaps they should show you, given that they're into the final of the Champions Trophy and England are not, and seeing as Australia are ranked no.1 in both forms of the game by considerable margines and England are not.
Complain about this postGood luck to all the lads, us ex-pats will be there in force, there's a load of us in Melbourne who'll be at the MCG for the fourth test, we should have wrapped it up by then!!! Give 'em curry lads!!
Complain about this postBeing an Indian from United States, I will be following each and every ball in this ashes. So thrilled I am.
You got to beat this aussies, fella.
Aussies are so good that they are different in departments. Brain and heart all the way separate.
You guys shud also work like a machine. No emotions. No feelings.
Find a bad ball?
thas for boundary..
even if its the first ball of the ashes or the last ball.
Glen and Shane smiling at you.
Complain about this postas and aussie i can say with confidence you are going to get belted (4-0) you normally manage to tie one best of luck anyway
Complain about this postIn all your excitment to board the plane don't you ever forget the Aussie character. You should be aware of that be prepared both skillwise as well as mentally to deal with them. I am sure you have in you to prove yourself. I wish you best of luck and know England will retain Ashes!!
Complain about this postGood luck Liam. Heading out to Adelaide ourselves on 28th November to see all the remaining tests. Like you I seem to have loads to do and no time to do it before we leave.On the playing side I feel we have done well to keep our powder dry whilst the Aussies become ever more bellicose about what they intend to do to us. Remember test cricket is very different from the one-day game. We have a young side full of exciting talent. Our best players are well-rested, experienced in this format of the game and know how to win. I reckon we'll see a hard-fought drawn series with us retaining the urn.
Complain about this postI think I can speak for most Aussies when I say we can't wait for you lot to get down under. You’re coming to best country in the world to play the best team in the world.
I think Sydney's up there with Paris & New York these days, so clothes aren't gonna be a problem mate........also and it's a bit of secret, but we have some of the best hardware shops in the world and WHITEWASH is our specialty and that’s what I’ve got my $$$ on, a clean sweep to Australia
PS…If you do end up sitting next to KP you must tell that it’s our considered opinion that he's without the doubt the best South African EVER to have played for England; your other South African is pretty good too
PPS… OK Monty couldn’t hit the side of barn with hand full of gravel, but he’s your man; play Giles at your peril
Enjoy your time down-under!!
Complain about this postgood luck liam the team will not be alone out here .if the aussies think they have all the tickets for the test mark my words the english are the best at getting tickets ,by hook or by crook there will be thousands of england fans cheering the boys all the way .come on england
Complain about this postI'd like to join those who have already posted, in wishing you, and the rest of the team, the very best of luck in Australia - as long as you all play your best cricket, people can't ask more (apart, I suppose, from bringing back the Ashes trophy!!). I hope you all keep as fit and injury-free as possible. I'm already looking forward to watching as much of the coverage as I can!
Complain about this postCan't wait for this tournament - have packed away my wooly jumpers and bought some new pyjamas. Bring on crick-mas.....
Complain about this postI have a friend who thinks that ODI'S are more important than tests, and thinks the Ashes are less important than the World Cup. As he is not English, i don't think he understands the history and importance of the Ashes, and so i disagree with him. I'd just like to know if you and some of the english players would rather win in one competition than the other
Complain about this postWell done Paul Collingwood and Good Luck to the rest of England team with the rest of the tour, and hoping you can take the Ashes back home..!!
Complain about this post