It was the day we've all been waiting for for so long - Day 1 of the first Ashes Test at Nottingham - and due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn't able to be there. Thankfully, guest blogger KYLY CLARKE was in the thick of the action and has kindly written what it was like to be there.
"Day one of the most anticipated Ashes series to date is upon us and it's a fan frenzy in our hotel as the players walk downstairs to breakfast before the short trip to Trent Bridge oval. As a wife, the nerves are setting in and along with the breeze there's tension in the air. The toss may have been won by England but as the clouds blanket the skies I don't think that’s such a bad thing (not that I am a cricket expert but I can't tell you how many times I have heard that cloud cover is good for bowling... positivity breeds the will to win!). The anthems are sung and it’s a proud Australian moment.
It's not long before our fearless Australian captain leads out his team with confidence and pride. The crowd roars with excitement and the English batters follow - but early in the innings with 1/27 on the board the giddy-feeling of the crowd soon changes. The green and gold army applaud as Kayla (the partner of James Pattinson) is in shock to see a replay and notice the valuable wicket of Captain Cook had been taken by her man! I look around hoping to see Mrs Cowan and Princess Romy grace us with their presence but after an unpleasant night they didn’t quite make it to the game.
The team morale is that of winners. With 2/78 its Siddle's turn to upRoot the English opener as he clean bowls him back to the change rooms. 2/98 and with lunch taken, the girls on tour team of 11 takes to our allocated dining table where we're treated to pepper crusted fillet of beef and half a glass of pineapple juice. The half a glass not at my request, at least it’s a glass half full :) There's a sea of chitter-chatter between the girls and soon our table erupts, the girls jumping to their feet as lunch is pleasantly interrupted by an outstanding wicket from Sidds (as we know him) and a magnificent catch from the husband. Okay maybe it was only two of the 25 tables that stood to applaud as I was told to "sit down, sit down" from one cheeky green tweed jacket-wearing English man (!) who cheekily announced "we are going to win the series" to which I sweetly and politely replied "I wish you luck!".
It's nice to see late afternoon of day one that our boys are out to bat. Watson started strong but our stomachs soon turned as wickets started to fall. It’s these moments that we as wives and partners dread. Day in, day out, we see the constant hard work, long days of training and hours in the nets and all we want for them is success. It is part of the game of pleasure and pain and one that is so very unpredictable, but they keep carrying on, heads high and still strong with faith for the new day of play ...
It's not long before our fearless Australian captain leads out his team with confidence and pride. The crowd roars with excitement and the English batters follow - but early in the innings with 1/27 on the board the giddy-feeling of the crowd soon changes. The green and gold army applaud as Kayla (the partner of James Pattinson) is in shock to see a replay and notice the valuable wicket of Captain Cook had been taken by her man! I look around hoping to see Mrs Cowan and Princess Romy grace us with their presence but after an unpleasant night they didn’t quite make it to the game.
The team morale is that of winners. With 2/78 its Siddle's turn to upRoot the English opener as he clean bowls him back to the change rooms. 2/98 and with lunch taken, the girls on tour team of 11 takes to our allocated dining table where we're treated to pepper crusted fillet of beef and half a glass of pineapple juice. The half a glass not at my request, at least it’s a glass half full :) There's a sea of chitter-chatter between the girls and soon our table erupts, the girls jumping to their feet as lunch is pleasantly interrupted by an outstanding wicket from Sidds (as we know him) and a magnificent catch from the husband. Okay maybe it was only two of the 25 tables that stood to applaud as I was told to "sit down, sit down" from one cheeky green tweed jacket-wearing English man (!) who cheekily announced "we are going to win the series" to which I sweetly and politely replied "I wish you luck!".
It's nice to see late afternoon of day one that our boys are out to bat. Watson started strong but our stomachs soon turned as wickets started to fall. It’s these moments that we as wives and partners dread. Day in, day out, we see the constant hard work, long days of training and hours in the nets and all we want for them is success. It is part of the game of pleasure and pain and one that is so very unpredictable, but they keep carrying on, heads high and still strong with faith for the new day of play ...
The passion continues tomorrow to #ReturnTheUrn." - KC
