Tam... No offence meant,(by Jon) and I'm sure none taken, either way. Know what you mean,I hate it when I'm accused of playing Irish music, when It's patently English!!

Ebbie, to answer your question, why "No run offs, No do-overs?..(like that one, sounds like fun!)
The simple reason is that us Brits love to wear the hair shirt.
5 Match tests in the UK are like drawing teeth. Takes ages, and there is blood everywhere!

The situation as it stands is Australia 1, England 1, Drawn match 1.

We now have to wait 8 days before the fourth match. If you were here, you could expect acres of newsprint from both teams (in a mainly witty style) slagging/sledging the others over the next week.

Just Par for the course, and adds to the tension (and Bums on seats for the next game!)

It's been reported here in the UK, that the interest in the last test was huge, even with reduced ticket prices for the last day, and although the ground capacity in Manchester was 21,000 ....10,000 people couldn't get in!!

Cricket is the new Black!

As I might have said before, the great thing for me, is the mutual respect between the two teams. When the Brits won the second test, apart from jubilation, several UK players made a point of showing sympathy for their defeated foes. (Hugs/Kind words etc)

Truly a fine game.

Roll on next Thursday. and, thanks for your interest in our quaint pastime...Regards Ralphie