It’s not the Ashes any more

So we’ve had 2 of the 7 (seven?!) ODIs so far, and the third is played tomorrow at the Rose Bowl.  And a nation is collectively yawning at the prospect of having to muddle through another 5 of these while we allow the ECB to squeeze as much blood out of the stone as they can.

Jimmy Anderson, speaking to Cricinfo, complained about the lack of atmosphere at these matches.

It’s strange when, from the dressing room, you can actually hear players shouting encouragement on the field, because obviously through the Ashes you couldn’t hear that.

Need they wonder why?  The Ashes were tense, exciting, emotional Test matches that had us on the edge of our seats, or rushing home in a panic in case we missed a vital wicket.

These matches cannot provide that.  There is no history or tradition to uphold, no emotional attachment to a series of 50 over matches.  Twenty20 has ensured that they aren’t even very exciting anymore.  The same can often apply to Test matches as well – witness the two Test series against West Indies in May, but the Ashes is like no other series.

Watching these matches now is like going to your favourite restaurant and having the main course before the starter.  Nobody wants a bowl of soup when they’ve just finished a plate of steak and chips.

It would have been different if these matches had been played before the Ashes, as in 2005.  They would have added to the anticipation, allowed us the chance to wonder what bearing they would have on the Tests ahead and speculate all the more on England’s (or Australia’s) chances.

Instead, we just can’t get excited about it, in the same way that we won’t be able to get excited about the Champions Trophy (unless England manage to get to the final).  Many armchair sports fans won’t get excited about cricket again for another four years.