Yakity Yak

Australia 327 all out
v England 491 all out
Australia 103-2
close on Day Four

Fourth Ashes Test

Played at The MCG

Melbourne Renegades 130-9
lost to Perth Scorchers 133-7
by 3 wickets

Big Bash League/07 T20

Played at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

Friday 29 December 2017

484 Australian Beer Ticks

A Mad Modern Day. Day 4 at The Ashes cut short by rain. But, I got a Cricket Double Header in because the T20 Big Bash was played with the roof shut to keep the rain out. Effectively “indoors”. Look. I'm on record. I don't think ECB Franchised T20 will work in England. I more firmly support an eighteen County solution. But. There. Right. There. Is one of the issues. The Australians have the Stadia. Indoors that one. A roof that shuts. There were over 30k in there. To all intents “more than any English Ground holds”. And, we were rattling around in a “half full” top deck. And remember, that's the “minor cricket” ground in Melbourne. That's not the proper ground at the MCG.

One look around the crowd. No. Not a prayer. We can't emulate that. Dads & THEIR Lads. Dads & their Daughters. Mums & THEIR Lads. Mums & their Daughters. And all permutations thereof. What have we got? Lads is all. Football Lads. Lager Lads. City Lads. No. We'll never have that Family Thing to this extent. I'll salute those like Denison for trying. But. No.

And. Here's another thing. If the English players want a “Big Bash”. They'll have to take a pay cut & swallow it. Because the formula needs FEWER games. To capture the “one a night”, “did you see it” mood. And Free To Air TV. Not more lucrative subscription channels.

And. While I'm on a roll. They'll have to do it all without me. I've already got a Cricket Team I support. Yorkshire County Cricket Club. I'll chuck some of my lot in with old money, unfranchised, rump T20.

That was a Fat Yak Day. Matilda Bay’s flagship. In the outer at the G, they serve Matilda Bay, Lazy Yak, Australian Pale Ale Stadium Edition at 3.5%. To get through the Mid Strength only rule. But, Day Four, we're reciprocaling in The Members Reserve. Full strength in their buddy. Fat Yak yourself up.

And, there was a rule twist at the Bash. I was allowed to buy Full Strength Fat Yak & take it to my seat “before 7pm only”. Did just that.

583/1228