Yes it is that time of the year again, summer and cricket is back on TV.
The English cricket team is touring Australia and playing at the Gabba, that arena famous for the Lillie and Thommo fast bowlers terrorising the english players.
In train with the England Cricket team is the Barmy Army and I'm curious what motives a person to fly across the world to drink beer and sit at the cricket all day? Actually in this case it is a large group of supporters that travel on their own pound and see very little of the country except inbetween the test matches.
Indeed you have to admire the fact that until recently this Barmy Army has had little to cheer about.
Just like the LION supporters who are the definition of boisterous, this group has a number of songs and chants that they sing and sound out to support their team.
Not the snobby and polite hand clapping that the Lords would appreciate, however this is now part and parcel of the test scene.
Actually in truth, Australia from a sporting prowess has declined. But is this really an issue?
Would I prefer that Australia wins the Maths or Science Olympiad -- I think the answer is yes.
We need to also be encouraging that our children learn one or more foreign languages and I mean Chinese and not French or Indonesian. The future of Australia lies north of these shores and while I am starting to see evidence that some people get it, it was saddening to see the Victorian Educators not embracing this clear fact.
Do we want to me the Barmy Army, no offence they are a fun lot and are great for the economy but it is not where Australia needs to focus.
Sports are fun, and I enjoy being an armchair competitor, however it the game of life it only matters somewhat.
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