12/7/2023 0 Comments Simon parkes latest video![]() I’m in a very reflective frame of mind this afternoon. This is a nice, wistful email from Rob Knap My instinct was to put 2019 lower, but then I remembered Stokes’s innings and Jofra Archer’s spell to Steve Smith, the Atherton v Donald of this generation. I’d say 2009 was the poorest in terms of quality, yet at the time it was all-consuming. For eg 2013 had four tight finishes, and a genuinely astonishing match at Trent Bridge, but it was 3-0 and then 0-5. I find it hard to distinguish between the others because they all have good and bad bits. Basically made redundant by the immediate sequel down under. Haven’t won one since.Ħ) 2013 - The forgotten series. But all the matches were fairly one sided other than Cardiff.ĥ) 2015 - A 3-2 scoreline flattered the Aussies. Plus - through gritted teeth - a historic series from Steve Smith.Ĥ) 2009 - Apart from 2005, the only series since 1985 where the Ashes were at stake in the last match. Still a brilliant series that looks likely to produce the most crushing of moral victories.ģ) 2019 - Served up the greatest match/innings I’ve ever seen and some iconic moments. This one might have come close but ending 18 years of hurt against one of the greatest teams of all time is unmatched narrative.Ģ) 2023 - So nearly an all-timer before the rain did its thing. Thoughts?ġ) 2005 - Realistically will never be bettered. ![]() Ok let’s do the ranking - home Ashes series since 2005 (away Ashes is just 2010/11 and pick your poison). Max Williams sent this email yesterday but a) I missed it as we my inbox was bursting and b) it’s perfect for a rainy day If anyone’s interested, I think we talk about it on tomorrow’s Nessun Dorma podcast. I didn’t know until recently that the injury that eventually ended his career also facilitated his amazing goal against the USSR. “Marco van Basten’s retirement was certainly memorable - a packed San Siro, handshakes with Pierluigi Collina, Fabio Capello bawling - but we all wish it hadn’t been like that.” “ Bjorn Borg was 25 when he retired in 1981,” writes Nick Walmsley. ![]() Ella later expressed some regrets, because shortly after he retired the World Cup was created, which he said he would have stuck around for, coach notwithstanding. “He hung them up at age 25, reportedly because he could not stand playing under coach Alan Jones (whose day job was and is aggressive right-wing radio commentator). “Different sport, but this applies to the Australian rugby great Mark Ella, who many considered the most naturally talented player Australia had produced,” writes Martin Gillam. “I think that is a reasonable way to bow out.” “ Seymour Nurse retired (prematurely) at 35, averaging 111.60 in his last series and with a final test innings of 258,” writes Marcus Abdullahi. ![]() A few nominations for people in all sports who have retired at the top ![]()
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