This summer could be the greatest in the history of English cricket, we’re told on an almost daily basis, when the World Cup and the Ashes come home together in a feelgood rush that might even obliterate the embarrassment of our being the biggest idiots in Europe. The last time such cheeky thoughts invaded the national psyche (cricket, not the politics), in 2005, I spoke with Alec Stewart about an upcoming Ashes series as eagerly anticipated as any since Bradman’s Invincibles toured in 1948, with a significant difference: this one was winnable.
Stewart was the perfect sounding board. Nobody had lost more nobly against the Australians than The Gaffer. He was England’s most-capped cricketer to that point, but had zilch to show for it in seven losing Ashes series. In 33 Tests against Australia, Stewart had been on the winning side only six times. They were awesome, of course, and England were punch-drunk. Stewart, who quit the game in 2003, could have been cricket’s Victor Meldrew, except he was resolutely upbeat.
Written by Kevin Mitchell
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/apr/10/alec-stewart-england-cricketing-summer-eclipse-2005-ashes-world-cup under the title “England’s cricketers can rise above 2005, Brexit and lack of free-to-air | Kevin Mitchell”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
