The Ashes

Quidditch. A sport invented by a novelist (if I say female novelist will I be revealing my latent sporting sexism?). A sport where two teams struggle away for a period of time to score a trivial amount of points and then a 1000 points are awarded to whoever (i.e. Harry Potter) catches the little ball, thus making all preceding play utterly pointless.

At it's best it is edge of the seat stuff. But even I have to admit that over a period of 5 days there are points where it is more hypnotic than truly intense.During a big series (e.g the Ashes) we have it on the radio at work for the 5 day match pretty much non-stop. When a match turning period of play is taking place we all sprint down the pub to see the action or get the big screens in the boardroom up and running with TV coverage.

The quintessentially English sport!

Not really, but you are trying to explain how great sports are to a sports fan. You are preaching to the choir, I get that it can be an exciting game, and people love it. Some people like golf, or Tennis, or watching people drive cars really fast, or cricket or soccer, or whatever.For the most part in many circumstances draws are really booring to watch. Yeah there may be some good ones, for instance if your team is in the world cup and you are playing the best team in the world and to get to the next round you need to not lose to them, then a draw against them would be great (not as great as an upset), but I think I can understand.The Ashes as I understand it is a different circumstance, because it is only two teams, and the same two teams play each other for the same trophy every year, here a draw would probably result in the last winner retaining the trophy. It seems more like a rivalry game than a championship. There are a lot of these in USA college football, where one school plays another school every year (and has for 100 years) for a trophy that the winner gets to keep until next year when they both play again.

I'd put it down in the south west. Somewhere near Baraboo or spring Green. Then you could be secluded but also fee off some tourism runoff.

I already have the 300 acre spot picked out. Part of my wife's grandfather's old farm(family doesn't own it anymore). It is up near Superior, could get some of the Duluth tourist crowd I guess. But a "field of Dreams" needs to be a destination spot. A place people pursue not go to ad an afterthought.But need to start buying those lottery tickets fist.

Build it, and they will come.....

It is roughly every two years (there are other countries to play as well in between!!!!) and alternates between Australia and England in location. To win the ashes away from home is a big big achievement.If the series is drawn the previous winner does indeed retain the ashes. You have to actually defeat th present holder to win the ashes back.

I can't wait until Straggler starts to try and explain the Duckworth Lewis Method.

i agree it should be a destination, but why would I even know about Spring Green, WI? because of the amazing destination there. would I travel and stay in spring green? no, but I would take a day trip there from the Dells, or from Madison. The Circus brought me to Baraboo, but once again it is a day trip.There is a lot of fun "destinations" in the cheesey state, but a central location is somewhat key IMHO.

one thing at a time.rules, gameplay, and draws for now.

Fortunately proper cricket (i.e. Test cricket of the 5 day variety) doesn't rely on such statistical chicanery. Only the fast food versions of cricket (McCricket) which nobody really cares about anyway can be won by the team with the best statistician on board.But for those wondering what this rather oddly named Duckworth Lewis stuff is about here is a link.But be warned that neither of even Duckworth or Lewis actually understand it so to anyone unfamiliar with cricket terminology or the basic rules of the game they might as well be speaking in tongues.

Nothin like watching a game of Cricket while throwing down some bangers and mash while the pudding is singing on the copper.

For best results, turn off the cricket and put a game that does not take 5 days to watch.

Chuck I have no idea what you are talking about.Are you (along with Duckworth and Lewis) speaking in tongues.