We thank Ed Comins for this reflection and match report:

Dear All

It was great that the old foes came together Saturday to renew rivalries over a bunch of old burning stumps and bails – how great it was to be back there after a short absence out of our control.

I thought England were very generous to allow the old enemy out of the chains for a short period. That said much of the English team need a spell in St Quentin as do the umpires and scorer (me!)

There were so many friends old and new – great atmosphere at the ground and all round a triumph for all parties.

Please feel free to forward this to any of your mates – it was great for Aussie and English Cricket – long may it continue, and it will continue, old great habits die very hard, and they will continue x

A special thanks to the British American Business Council and the Australian American Chamber of Commerce for helping both teams to come together – these things do not happen overnight so thank you and all who organised the game!

It was so lovely to see so many families down at the ground and a BBQ going: how great was that? – there was a vibrant feel around the ground.

The Match

England won the toss and fielded: a good decision from Skipper Stu.

Aussies did well with  excellent knocks from KP (48) and Raffin (52). I do sometimes wonder if KP is just an audition for a major Bollywood movie, see you at the movies!

That said the Aussies struggled under the pressure of the English attack, with notably good bowling by most parties, especially the Chairman Nick. There is something about Nick when he sees an Aussie in his sights, he seems to up his game c 500%.

Aussies ended on 184 which most people thought was a little short. I did try to call my Lahore bookmaker to put my life savings on England at lunch, but all bets were off. They knew what was going down.

After a great sarnmie lunch – bit spicy as usual – I do rather remember the good old Spam sandwich back in blighty.

England opened the reply, and we were treated to lovely knocks from Azzim  (50 no) who won the MOM award (tomatoes of the day). Also, a lovely knock from Ed James (46). Torben and Rob Butler then put the icing on the cake with splendid innings in their twenties both in good style. Rob you can now tell your mates at your UK Club that we won the Ashes, and you saw it off with a big six!

So, England finished it in short time and now keep the Ashes until next year. The Aussies will come back stronger as that is in their DNA,.

As for the Author I did jack all but did the scoring in the old-fashioned paper and pen way.

During my hand scoring of the book rather funnily a local lady of Marin of my acquaintance did approach me (rather hot) and asked me why when everyone else was out there running about playing, why was I just sat there sitting down writing a book! Only in the USA!

Beer was had under the sun at Piper Park, and we cannot wait for the 2026 edition!

Long live the Ashes!

All love

Ed Comins

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