The Republic of Heaven

Well we have threads for everything else, and I just wanted to complain about this

I can't fecking believe we're going to lose after their poor innings...

It's not as bad as when you posted that. They need 50 runs off 8 overs though still.

...you were saying?

Well, I was glad to see us pull it back at the last, but we really really really should have won that match. It is nice to be actually disapointed we didnt beat Australia though.

In other news, Venus Williams defied her many critics and won wimbledon, causing one of the largest outpourings of happiness Ive ever seen from one.

Am I allowed discuss football here without being castrated? Not that I want to now.

When does the ashes start? It should be a contest this year(If it is this year), I may even tune in, if only I knew all the rules of Cricket. Also, how come if Austrailia win they can't take the ashes home? I heard that somewhere so I could be wrong. It seems a bit silly to me but then again I'm no cricket expert.

I watched the Wimbledon final on and off, I was glad she won but I don't like her style of play. I'm really looking forward to the game tomorrow, Federer really is a pleasure to watch. The best player I've ever seen play at Wimbledon. He hasn't lost on grass since 2002.

When does the ashes start?

21st of July.

It should be a contest this year

*Doubts it*

Also, how come if Austrailia win they can't take the ashes home? I heard that somewhere so I could be wrong. It seems a bit silly to me but then again I'm no cricket expert.

Because they belong to the MCC, and are probably too fragile to travel that far.

It should be a contest this year

*Doubts it*.

Why the hell not, England have proven themselves Australia's equal, its deffinitley going to be close this year.

It should be a contest this year

*Doubts it*.

Why the hell not, England have proven themselves Australia's equal, its deffinitley going to be close this year.

They tied with Australia in a one-day match. Anything can happen on one day. A series of 5 test matches is quite a different affair. This series may be a bit closer than some of the ones in recent years, but that really ain't saying much.

They tied with Australia in a one-day match. Anything can happen on one day.

They also hammered them in one a couple of weeks back. Stop being so damned pessimistic, we finally have a great cricket team, we can win the ashes, we probably wont but for once its not a foregone conclusion.

Also, how come if Austrailia win they can't take the ashes home? I heard that somewhere so I could be wrong. It seems a bit silly to me but then again I'm no cricket expert.

Because they belong to the MCC, and are probably too fragile to travel that far.

That's what we keep telling them to stop them taking them, yep..

I watched the Roddick - Johansson match, and I was impressed by both players. I'd forgotten the quality of Johansson's backhand. Roddick was amazing though. Also watched the women's final while channel hopping from live8. Thought it was a good final, though I wish that people would stop screaming when hitting the ball. It doesn't help!

Where can I watch tennis on tv the rest of the year? Is it only on sky?

Any rugby fans around? I think the lions tour has gone wrong somewhere, probably through picking too many england world cup winners, who didn't deserve the red jersey. But personally, I don't think we can just blame the Lions. I saw today's match, and New Zealand are playing like world champions on fire. Daniel Carter - genius. They were all very impressive.

As for cricket...well. I don't really understand it all fully, but my general armchair spectatorial view, isthat while Australia will still walk the ashes, England have made massive gains in quality of play. They have shown that the aussies are aging, and they've shown that with work, england can get better.

Oh, and while we're on cricket, do you all think that Zimbabwe should get punished by the ICC for having a scumbag regime? I'm split on the issue personally. Perhaps you could tell me which way to think?

I'll discuss football with you Darragh. What do you want to discuss about it. What does everybody think of Stockport Countys chances this season? (we got relelgated last season again )

Football - I've been depressed lately because the Irish team I support, Shamrock Rovers(The most successful Irish club ever), have put all their players on the transfer list to avoid becoming, well, nothing. Bottom of the league after getting docked 9 points. Fairly annoyed, my dad was a supporter all his life, he's gutted. He gave about €400 to them this year. The Irish league starts as the British leagues finish. Oh well, 'tis only football.

The problem I see with the Lions is the fact that they are all great players that can't play together. New Zealand on the other hand play together all the time and their players are just as great.

Roddick was utterly annihilated today.. Oh well, onto mixed and senior doubles now, much more entertaining.

The lions did have a disadvantage since they haven't played as a team before, it was a pretty good game though. I was getting stressed at the start after what's his name scored a try in the first 10 minutes. Dan Carter is our new national hero for the moment, he deserves to be to - what a game.

I have never been explained what that game is all about. Would anybody care to explain it?

I have never been explained what that game is all about. Would anybody care to explain it?

Very well. The aim of the game is.. oh bloody hell, read this.

I get the idea of it from that but I would like to see a game played to fully undersatnd it. Unfortunatly, I don't think they have any games on tv in the states.

66-4!

.. oh dear.