Apologies for breaking the groundrules of this blog as this has nothing to do with places I visited or my photography, but this is been a quite strange and in some way uncharacteristically special time too. Since this is my personal space.. what the heck, I'll just write it.

The 2010-2011 Ashes series was played from 25th Nov 2010 till 7th Jan 2011. The anticaption of this test series had started much long back as it was first time ever England actually looked like beating Aussies down under. If at all that happens, it will be after staggering 24 years in history of English cricket that England win in Australia. Also England hadn't retained Ashes for more than decades now. And worst memory of England getting rocked by Aus 5-0 in previous
Ashes down under was still hovering. But all these looked like to change as England actually had the fire power to run through Oz with likes of Strauss (captain), Cooky, Trott, Bell, KP, Jimmy, Broad, Finny, Swanny & surprise elements Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan. To add to the woes, Australia were running through horrid form coming into Ashes. Nonetheless, beating Oz down under was never going to be a straight forward task.


First test of series got underway at Gabba, Brisbane and with both teams had ups and down, test match ended in draw. England came out strong by putting up 500+ total with loss of just 1 wicket and Cooky scoring double ton. England continued their good form in second test at Adelaide and won by an innings and 71 runs. Not to forget magnificent double hundred scored by KP this time. It was after long time, England had beat Aussies by an innings defeat in Australia. But just as things had started to look good for England to win Ashes down under, the monsters of world's fastest pitch Perth came haunting in third test and Aus demolished England by 267 runs and level series 1-1 with 2 more tests to go. However previous test match was quickly forgotten by Poms and reduced Aus to 98 all out on day 1 of Boxing day test match at Melbourne. There was never a comeback from here and England won another test match by an innings and 157 runs. Series 2-1. This was huge moment for England as they had retained Ashes for first time in decades and celebrations had already begun. It was half job done. Fifth and final test at Sydney was marked as Pink test to sport support for Glen McGrath's Breast Cancer Foundation, however Aussie players failed to put any mark playing wise and lost another test match by an innings and giving England their first down under Ashes series win in 24 years. It was an incredible moment in history of English cricket and without any doubt celebrations didn't finish quickly for the day.


But here is the special/strange part. This time around with more technology advanced thanks to twitter and facebook, following Ashes was more than merely watching 5 test matches. Most England (& also the Aus) players are on twitter and are quite active. Their constant updates on twitter gave much more insight view of team and time they were having. England players were binded together as more than a family during the entire series. The lads had much confidence and trust in each other than ever. The Sky sports post match interviews on each day of different players gave same message. The blokes were really having a great time in dressing room, gym and the hotel. Another memorable thing was Swanny Ashes diary during each week through out the Ashes. He provided absolutely hilarious backstage coverage through his video diary. He talked about how the team is engrossed in FIFA 11, how Trott hates losing, how him and Bresnan are worst FIFA players. He also talks about why he doesn't carry his guitar on tours anymore. Swanny and Jimmy (James Anderson) are the best pals on the team and supposedly most funniest guys of all. Jimmy is awalys desperate to help Swanny and he does finally get to feature in later episodes although not in best manner (Jimmy accidentally shoots himself in Swanny's diary video coming out of bathroom in towel :)) And lastly the 'sprinkler' dance. It has been bit famous in England but post Ashes it has been most danced and watched youtube video as well. Swann was the lead who encouraged team to perform sprinkler on the tour. And mind you its hilarious when he does it :) Swann also asked people back home to send in sprinkler videos and Barney (the england videographer on tour) did nice work of putting best of videos together including backstage sprinkler by English players as well. The final edition of Swann's Ashes diary is compilation of all previous 7 videos and really rewinds the entire memories filled over last 2 months or so. Ashes is over now and despite all glory to England and celebrations, I get the feeling of something lost, something taken away or something that was good, stopped. Its been lot emotional and I am caught up in two minds. I can't decide whether it was good time to go through all these in last two months or its bad time because it ended quickly. Its never great to have such feeling. Also, unfortunately I fell ill half way through the 4th test and didn't get much chance to catch the action towards end & complete 5th test but today when I can get up a bit, thanks to internet, I can go back and view highlights, videos and final video of Swann's diary was absolutely the perfect ending to remarkable test series. It couldn't have been better ending. I have watched it over and over and still can't stop watching or laughing should I say :-) I even educated my little sister Prachi few things about English cricket & players and also made her do sprinkler ;-) If you interested in seeing dance moves any bit, do watch this video. Thank you for reading and watching :)

Final Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBpVu0Eje94



Thought worth mentioning some of the user comments as well from youtube for above video

Thank you Swanny and England for the most memorable Ashes series i will ever have. It been a joy to follow and support you!
-candistarem

I have got all Swanny's Ashes Diaries saved on a playlist to watch over and over again as they are so brilliant! Please do more
-mattpikesoton

4:10 trotts dance and KP on the other side dancing with him and idk who is sitting in the middle not paying attention to any of it...lol
-tahreem116

Brilliant! I thought video 3 and 7 were bang on! I wish you can make more, make a follow on into the World Cup!!! Well played England! Been awesome 7 weeks!
-KitManScoop

Long live the sprinkler
-jamiecanter

The 2 most enduring images of this Ashes series...
- Andrew Strauss with the Urn, and
- James Anderson with a towel on and a bottle of Vaseline Aloe Fresh in his hand
ha ha ha
-ashgough

THIS IS EPIC! Swanny you're a legend my man. BUT, jamie is def funnier lol "excuse me, theres nothing wrong in between both informative and interesting Graeme." hahaha
-ghelsappa

this made me cry.
-23bhopkinsmc

keep the diary's coming and also the sprinkler... 
-novita2803

more of swanny diaries please!! we want more
-novita2803

Swanny you hero! do one for the world cup as well pleeeeeease!
-weardo0


Song used in the video - When I Think Of You (I Smile Neon Light) by The Sunbeat Revival
http://soundcloud.com/the-sunbeat-revival/when-i-think-of-you-i-smile-neon-light