Ashes, England and Indonesia

Ashes, England and Indonesia

I do not know how many Indonesians have been paying attention
to the just concluded Ashes Test cricket series between England
and Australia but those who have will have witnessed a truly
marvelous sporting spectacle.

It's not because I am an Englishman and England have won that
I am saying this, I would have settled for a drawn series, which
would have allowed the Aussies to retain the Ashes. The level of
competition and the general spirit in which it has been played
have been uplifting and it has been a privilege to watch the
wonderful Aussie bowler Shane Warne in action.

Warne is in the pantheon of sporting greats like Indonesia's
badminton star Rudy Hartono, Lance Armstrong and the West Indian
cricketer Gary Sobers.

A team representing Indonesia is at an international
tournament for the first time. Development cricket is underway in
this country and it is to be hoped that young Indonesians will
catch the fever of the game. There is no reason why a team of
young Indonesians cannot progress and do well. After all, there
is little to choose in physique between Indonesians and the
talented Sri Lankans. Bring them on!

DAVID JARDINE, Carlisle, UK