Hanging up my backpack
England have arrived in Australia to defend you-know-what and, over the next few weeks, thousands of optimistic supporters will be following their heroes Down Under.
I've been lucky enough to see every ball of the last two Ashes series Down Under, as well as the last two overseas World Cups.
But, after trying every trick in the book to ensure I鈥檒l be in Australia to see us defend Little Ern, I'm afraid I've been left well and truly stumped.
This series is probably the most anticipated Ashes battle of all time so seeing just some, let alone all, of the five Tests was always going to be extremely, well, testing.
Like thousands of others, back in the summer I entered the various all-night phone-in lotteries (masquerading as a ticket "hotline") in order to get my mitts on some tickets.
Unfortunately, after some eight hours on the phone I ended up with, wait for this, a pair of tickets for day three in .
That鈥檚 a long way to go for seven hours of cricket!
My tickets, or more precisely lack of, only seemed to confirm a feeling that's been growing for a while.
Unless you're willing to part with thousands of pounds and jump aboard one of the ever increasing number of tour operators who are allowed to buy up a huge proportion of the tickets, getting in to see much cricket is nigh on impossible.
In a way, the independent fan has become an unwitting victim of England鈥檚 recent success over the last few years.
Series by series, securing tickets to watch England abroad as a fully independent supporter has become increasingly difficult
Of the 30 or so fans who watch all of each and every tour independently, as well as the 100 or so who see at least three or four Tests each winter, virtually all have been priced out of the tour.
Of course, the majority of people can only dream about jumping ship for three months and heading off to the sun to cheer on the England team.
However, the steady hardcore of supporters who made this "lifestyle choice" supplemented by an ever-changing posse of the recently graduated, recently redundant and recently retired is dwindling with each and every tour.
The whole thing represents an odd paradox. As independent travel generally has flourished in the last few years, the notion of watching England as an independent traveller has become increasingly difficult and less and less popular.
That鈥檚 not to say that England won鈥檛 be well supported on their Antipodean expedition.
It鈥檚 just that the sheer pleasure of combining travelling the length and breadth of a country watching the ebbs and flows of an entire series is now one becoming more and more difficult to achieve.
Of course for the once-in-a-lifetime tourists it will, literally, be the tour of a lifetime and there's no doubt will have fantastic support at all five venues.
I鈥檓 just gutted I won't be there to cheer the boys on.
Nice piece Phil, but who are you?
Complain about this postI didn't find it too hard to get tickets for the test and i can still get days 2-4 at Melbourne, I only got them the other week as well! It's all about knowing the right people ;-)
Complain about this postI feel for you mate... I have emigrated to melbourne and didn't manage to get tickets for the boxing day test until a family member with MCC membership got me some... Over here it seems to have been more about keeping the away support from the tests rather than the tickets all going to Corporate parties...
Come on Fredster!
Complain about this postIn answer to John D, Phil has been following the England cricket team around the globe for the past decade and has written numerous pieces about his experiences for this website, the most recent ones from India earlier this year.
Complain about this postI couldn't agree more. It's simply naive efforts at profiteering by the local cricket associations who decide to sell such vast numbers of tickets direct to tour operators who use them to strong-arm fans.
I'm going this Winter and have managed to sort everything apart from Sydney out as an independent and, I have to say, it's a very disappointing situation.
The cricket authorities need to realise that they could probably make more money and certainly engender better relations with the supporters if they sold tickets directly. The problem then arises about avoiding sales to unscupulous touts. If Kevball can manage that, then so, surely, can cricket.
Complain about this postWell said!
It seems to me the only thing you can do (in the future) is to open your OWN corporate/travel club with links to the authorities. Make it a non profit club with ONLY your 30 -130 'diehards' as members elligable for tickets. Wouldn't the greedy b*s masquerading as corporate travel agents love that?, it would show how much they are making! It shouldn't effect their incomes anyway because, as you say, you diehards are 'priced out' anyway.
Complain about this postI think it's a great shame that so many fans who've been the backbone of England's support on previous tours won't be over in Australia this winter to see England retain the Ashes.
I'm travelling over for two of the Tests with five mates, and we've been lucky enough to secure most of the cricket tickets we need.
That said, we're budgeting 拢4,000 each for the trip and that's doing the lot independently. It'll be worth every penny to see Fred lift the urn aloft though!
Complain about this posthear ye, hear ye,
I have managed to get tickets for first 4 tests but the way it's been organised by the ACB (the phone hotlines joke) and the way the prices have rocketed up is nothing short of daylight robbery, this is my 3rd England tour and 2nd Ashes series abroad, England's recent successes are just another excuse to bleed the 'real' fans dry of some more cash!
Complain about this postTo Paul...
Complain about this postWhat constitutes a decent job? City lawyer? Accountant? Banker? There are loads of us who work hard at 'decent' jobs and still can't afford to get over there. I could be wrong but I'm guessing you work in a very well paid sector to come up with arrogant and offensive comments like that.
Can anyone recommend any venues to watch the Ashes in London/South East?
Complain about this postThat's a pretty poor excuse, Phil.
I watch England all around the world at football and cricket (unfortunately lack of funds mean I won't be in Australia).
There are literally thousands of tickets available:
try www.stoptout.com - fans are selling tickets to other fans at face value.
or even www.barmyarmy.com - fans are willing to sell their spares at the face value.
Even if you're unsuccessful, there will always be tickets about. Where there's a will there's a way.
Yes, tour operators are wrong but there is still away of doing things independently without it costing an arm and a leg.
Complain about this postErr.......stop whining!!! It's not like England is likely to retain the Ashes anyway. Australia will blitz the tourers. It's all going to be very embarassing for Freddy's boys I fear.
Complain about this postMayeb he traveling english fan should stop his bleating and consider how hrd it is for a travelling australian fan to get tickets into the ridiculously small english grounds. and the ridiculous prices, and the very high chance it will be washed out anyway- oh i forget, australians are parochial.
Complain about this postI have been twice to Oz to watch England play and each time the tickets have been easy to come by and the experience a lot better than watching in England.It appears now though that the authorities are cashing in on the fact that large numbers of England fans are willing to pay good money for a great trip down under.The first time i went in 1990 i saw everydays play of the full series and that was probably the start of the Englands travelling Army which grows each year.
Complain about this postFour of us Book our trip ourselves Got tickets for the 1st & 2nd test all days, hard work & lots of luck,
Complain about this postthe Dream can be achived.
On the money PD Longy. Who's Ian Baker?
Complain about this postI do feel sorry for you not being able to get tickets in Australia. It is a shame, however this may give you a taste of how people from overseas feel every summer. It is impossible to get tickets in the lottery to games in London, we calculated that last Ashes series you had less than 1% chance of getting tickets in the ballot for lords.
Complain about this postIt is due to the tiny grounds in the UK, and no doubt the amount of tickets that go to corporates and tour groups.
By the way, tickets to Adelaide are not the worst thing, it is the best cricket ground in the world.
A brilliant blog post and it echoes the views felt by the majority of cricket fans around the world.
I am UK based India fan and as many the cricket world cup has outpriced the real cricket fans.
Whats worrying is that the game in its attempts to grow globally is selling out; and the real fans cant afford to make their independent arrangements and are forced to consider packages which simply one cannot afford.
Its a real concern and i hope someone at the head of the ICC is looking into this.
Simply please dont forget the real fans who have followed the game of cricket for those who find it a little more fashionable now after the success of England in the Ashes as an example.
Complain about this postWhat, exactly, made you think I give two hoots about whether you can afford to go to Australia for two months?
Would you care if I told you that I couldn't afford to pay my rent this month?
Unbelievable.
Complain about this postTouts are no longer just fat blokes outside stadia buying and selling spares. I actually managed to see the Sydney test in 1999 this way paying face value.
Now if I want to watch a test in Oz, I have to stay in a 3* hotel for 3 nights, take in a day trip to the outback and be back home by the end of the week.
In this age of instant satisfaction we are too lazy to organise anything, so packages are the easy option. With such high demand only the most wealthy can afford it.
Complain about this postPhil, do you still work for HSBC in Leicester? I remember the good old days of 4 years ago, when you could buy tickets at the gate for all the games and get drunk with Freddie in the bars afterwards.
Complain about this postErn, or Urn?
Complain about this posti joined the england supporters cricket club after failing with ticketmaster and got tickets for all days at perth, and have been contacted since offering me tickets for the other four tests so good luck
Complain about this postBut Phil, didn't you set up any contacts on your previous travels in Oz? They wouldn't even need to buy tickets for you; all you needed to join the Australian Cricketing Family (and therefore get access to the first release of tickets) was an Australian address. Surely you have friends enough Down Under to loan you a postcode or two?
Complain about this postToo bad...
Bet if you all had chins they'd be on the floor?
Complain about this postI fully sympathise having tried to get tickets for the Lions Rugby tour to New Zealand. Unless you go on an "escorted overpriced tour" forget it.
Complain about this postMate - Your not trying very hard then, I know for a FACT tickets are still available for Gabba & MCG (First days are sold out)
And I agree with Max Anderson; you pomies stand more chance of getting a ticket to see a game down here than we'll ever have of getting a ticket to Lords or The Oval!!!
Anyway mate I don't why you or any other pom's wasting there time and $$$
Whitwash 5 nil to Punter & the boys
C'mon Aussie C'mon!!!!
Complain about this postAlex,
What makes you think that anybody reading this gives two hoots about your predicament? Phil's blog was an honest piece aimed, I imagine, at like-minded individuals, not whingers like you. Give him a break.
Perhaps if you spent more time working and less on the internet you might be able to pay your rent this month, maybe even buy a house.
It's better than moaning about the situation you find yourself in.
Complain about this postInteresting issues you raise here. I for one, found it quite annoying in the 2005 Ashes that all sorts of "jumping on the bandwagon" people were turning up to test matches and keeping real fans away. Obviously it's great that more and more people are interested in Cricket, but when you see Jade Goody or other nobodies taking up seats at sold-out test matches it's very frustrating.
Do they even know what's going on? Probably not. Whereas real cricket fans (many of whom actually play village cricket) can't get tickets.
Regarding your problem, can't you and the other independent fans get togther, form some sort of supporters group and lobby the ECB for pre-allocated tickets to tours/matches? I appreciate this would make you no longer be "independent", in the true sense of the word.
Complain about this postI have to say I agree with those who say that Phil doesn't seemed to have tried too hard to get tickets.
I'm a first timer at overseas cricket (done football before) but I managed to get 3 days of tickets to Melbourne, all Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and 20:20. Any spares I had I sold at face value on the Barmy Army or Shrimps websites. As a member of the ECB, I then went into the ballot for tickets to Melbourne on Boxing Day and got them too.
I didn't actually find it that difficult to get tickets although Cricket Australia tried to make it impossible. I think if Phil had really wanted to go, he would have got tickets by hook or by crook and I don't mean by paying tout prices.
There are plenty of people, as others mention, that are still selling their spare tickets for face value ... tickets were and are available.
I feel sorry for the original fans that have toured for years but a little bit of difficulty shouldn't stop you in my opinion.
Complain about this postOli Collet, you are suffering from an exagerrated opinion of self worth, why did you feel the need to write what you did? Smug and patronising and then you had to sign off with one of those dumb smiley faces .....
Complain about this posti've found that people are starting to moan about the deluge of boorish England fans that invade faraway corners of the earth and don't integrate with locals other than to demand more booze from poor unsuspecting bar staff. maybe some 'filtering' process is actually what is required ? maybe we'll all find another sport? Chess tournaments in Russia, with a big bottle of vodka to hand?
Complain about this postI don't think it was that hard to get tickets. After the furore with the ballot a few months ago Cricket Australia put up a whole load for sale on their official website (albeit quietly), for anyone to buy. In this way I've got a pair of tickets for days 3 and 4 at Melbourne for 拢25. I just hope it's not all over by then...
Complain about this postI am an avid sports fan too. The truth is though that humans follow sport because they dont have their own true life. Just another form of slavery for the masses.
Complain about this postThe intellectual divide between those who rule and those who are ruled.
I'm planning on going to watch England play Sri Lanka independently next year. Surely I'll be able to just turn up to those tests? The barmy army won't be able to swamp Galle or Kandy will they? I hope not or my holiday plans are up the swanny....
Complain about this postShame you can't be there Phil, I've enjoyed your blogs from the sub-continent last year. If you want to catch the action via blog as it unfurls, try
A few late nights, a bit of perseverance and some contacts have resulted in me getting tickets for every days play bar two that has gone on sale to date. Independent travellers are still alive and kicking!!
Complain about this postWe'll all just have to take the energy drinks, and stay up all night listening to Radio 4!
Complain about this postI hope the Barmy Army do swamp Galle. There won't be cricket there, and the rest of us can get on with watching it in Kandy and Colombo without their mindless, boorish drivel, kindergarten entertainment like Mexican waves, and the pathetic insistence that they "win us matches".
Complain about this postreal fans dont get the tickets anymore mate, they get given to the prawn sandwhich brigade (corperate hospitality) you only have to see whats happened to the emirates stadium 60,000 and no noise, its a disgrace whats happening to sporting events, i feel for you!
Complain about this postWhat I find worse is why the circket isn't on free to air TV.... Can someone please explain what the point of this is?
I'm supporting the aussies from the UK, although as I don't have digital television, I am unable to watch any play other than at a pub (a pretty good downside nonetheless) however its really dissapointing that I'm not able to watch the late night play in the comfort of my own home.
Now now, don't misinterperet this as a whinge about living in the UK, as I'm a massive fan of this country. But I just can't see the point in not playing it on free to air.
Surely with this article, its not a ploy from the ACB to get bums on seats over there, (as is the case when sporting events aren't shown in certain cities in Oz unless a game is sold out) but maybe someone can shed some light on who is responsible for this. Or am I simply the only person who doesn't have a subscription to SKYsports?
Complain about this postA further paradox, Phil, is that Cricket Australia welcomed the Barmy Army and all the other independents with open arms when they were beating us hands down and their own 鈥淎ustralian Cricket Family鈥 couldn鈥檛 be bothered to turn up. Amazing how all these fanatical Aussies appeared when the Ashes suddenly became a contest again.
The only reason Perth days 1-3 and Sydney days 1-4 sold out in 2002-2003 was due to the presence of the England supporters. But we didn鈥檛 hear much whining from the Aussies then did we? I have also heard that large numbers of hotel rooms are available in the first 3 Ashes cities because of Cricket Australia鈥檚 policy. Looks like Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are going to miss out on that big influx of tourist cash in their bars, restaurants and hotels that they鈥檝e been enjoying these last 3 tours.
We were fortunate enough to get tickets for all the games we are going to using a fair bit of subterfuge and persistence. But after 4 tours this will be my last to Oz. Not worth the aggro in my opinion. NZ, SA and Asia for me from now on.
Complain about this postCouldn't agree more. Despite the fact that we are a very, very small inbound tour operator to Ireland and were looking after Stade Toulouse when they came to play in Belfast, Ulster Rubgy treated us like unlanced boils. No team coach into the ground 'cos they had sold every square inch for corp hosp. We had to beg tix off the French (pity we hammered them) to even see the match and look after our guests.
Complain about this postIt is the same in all sports and whilst I can understand the blazers making the most of good times, they shd remember that sports, like investments, can go down as well as up.
Hey Phil
Sorry to hear your not going to be out their for the tests.
I couldn't get the New Year Sydney test tickets myself but managed to acquire Boxing day test tickets though a combination of ACB, ECB and ticketek.
I can recomend www.stoptout.com as members are still selling spares at face value.
I'd like to complain about the ACB favouritism towards Ozzie fans, but to be fair, it would be a little biased considering the the state of Englands ticket allocation system for any sporting events in England, not just cricket.
All I will say on the matter is anyone whose bought tickets and sold them for more than face value on sites such as Ebay, shame on you, you're basically thiefs!
To be fair I'll be enjoying a three week break in mid-winter, whether I can see the cricket or not. There is plenty more Australia and especially January in Sydney can offer, which will more than make up for missing the -5C and 3pm sunsets in London!
Here's to an Ashes RETENTION this Xmas!
Complain about this postWhole heartedly agree with Phils comments, cricket has been on the rise now since the previous ashes battle, and even at home in England ticket prices have risen and risen including a massive 拢40 I paid at Bristol for a 20:20 game.
To go abroad and guarantee a seat is getting near impossible, having been to SA and forgotten my ticket to day 3 at Cape town which I'd paid 拢20 via a travel company found that rather than go back to the hotel I'd just pay 拢3 to get in on the gate.
I too will be having a few late night on the sofa cheering on the lads
Complain about this postUnfortunately all sport is now getting this way.
Following the British Lions rugby tours is the very same. Coach loads of organised tours that cost hundreds of pounds more, and are far less appealing than traveling independently, booking your own hotels, going where you want with who you want between matches and getting match tickets independently.
Australians are always a bit worried about the home support being overwhelmed by the traveling fans. On the 2001 British Lions tour, after they were surprised by the "Sea of Red" and noise from the lions fans in the first rugby test at the GABBA, they gave out yellow T-shirts, scarves and hats to any Australian fan, and then only showed Aussie sections of teh crowd on the big screen from then on!
Having said that, it cuts both ways and it isn't easy to get cricket tickets for the Ashes here either. Our grounds are smaller (like their rugby grounds were), and the possibility of bad weather affecting the day(s) you have tickets for could well mean a completely wasted trip if you only have tickets for a couple of days in total.
Complain about this postWhole heartedly agree with Phils comments, cricket has been on the rise now since the previous ashes battle, and even at home in England ticket prices have risen and risen including a massive 拢40 I paid at Bristol for a 20:20 game.
To go abroad and guarantee a seat is getting near impossible, having been to SA and forgotten my ticket to day 3 at Cape town which I'd paid 拢20 via a travel company found that rather than go back to the hotel I'd just pay 拢3 to get in on the gate.
I too will be having a few late night on the sofa cheering on the lads
Complain about this postIt's the same as what happened with the cricket on TV - the supporters are being robbed
Complain about this postHi Phil,
I will be in Oz for the first two tests and the only day I could not get was day 3 in Adelaide!
I have managed to do the whole trip, including a few days in Melbourne and a few in Sydney site seeing; flights out and back, internal flights, accomodation and test tickets + 拢700 for food for less than 拢1600!
Very sorry that you will not be there but would you sell your tickets to me?
Complain about this postThere seem to be plenty of tickets at good prices - me and my 6 mates have got days 1-4 at both Melbourne and Sydney, which are arguably the most popular tests, and we havnt paid more than 60 quid per ticket per day - some are even face value - my Ozzie mates are whingeing that they cant get tickets because the poms have them all - well guess what ?- theyre spot on - sorry Ozzies its going to be like being at home again - still Im sure youll drown out the Barmy Army with "ozy, ozy, ozy..." until you get board of it that is!
Complain about this postCan anyone help me find a bar in the manchester area which is staying open to show the ashes??!!!
Complain about this postI agree with your comments - I decided not to go on the Ashes tour because of my experience of wathing the Lions in NZ last summer.
I had been on 2001 Lions tour - organised my own tickets and went to 6 games. In NZ the place was full of people on big package tours!
These big tours are full of Johnny come latelys - who have never been supporting a team overseas before.
I was in Perth on the last Ashes tour and it was a great atmosphere despite the result. I also did the Lions in 2001 and again this was full of lots of independant travellers.
If i went on the Ahses tour i would get annoyed by all the supporters wearing their matching tour operators jackets.
But as i need my winter fix of cricket I did the Champions trophy in India - not a tour company in sight!!!!!!!!
Complain about this postYou may be in luck...Cricket Australia are now selling their remaining tickets to supposedly sold out matches on Wednesday.
Complain about this postIf your looking for someone to take the Adelaide tickets off your hands give me a shout!
Complain about this postHi Phil,
Complain about this postSo are you goin to be in the UK all winter? Surely that must be a first if you are....
I have decided to skip off to India again where the time difference will be slightly less gruelling and the weather a lot more pleasant!
Take it easy and hope you get some winter sun!
Emily
At least the UK tour operators don't insist on you wearing a canary yellow t shirt. I鈥檇 rather go to the events, but these days all our good seats are set aside for those who wanna be known as Fanatics, and I鈥檇 rather stay home than be a formulaic jingoistic so and so.
Complain about this postI was also caught up in the farce for tickets, Ticketmaster wouldn't let me buy them as I didn't have an Aus address.
However I got tickets in a package with a hotel, it seemed the only option to guarantee them. They are expensive, but you get full accomm in a 3star hotel for the duration of the test, and a match ticket for each day. It works out at around 拢50 per night to stay in the hotel, and also a similar price per match day ticket. When you consider the price of the Ashes tickets over here last summer (around 拢50-55 per day), it's a reasonable deal in some ways.
Complain about this postoh u whinging poms get a life so u didnt get tickets to the ashes.. well tuff. australia will win 5 nill so dont matter if your here or not does it. now go cry some where else
Complain about this posttell you what, that Scott's got some incisive commentary on the modern game eh ?
Complain about this postI was made redundant this year and considered going to Australia for the Ashes. I could afford it but when I realised that it would work out at 拢2000 a week I decided that I was been exploited. I don't mind paying the going rate but I am not been taken for a fool. So I shall stay at home and listen to the matches on the radio. Thank God for the B.B.C. The big tour companies buy up all the tickets and then sell them only to those with fat pockets full of cash and plenty of time on their hands. It's a sad situation but the result of England's success in 2005.
Complain about this postCouldnt agree more Phil. Too many corporate cowboys on board these days. Hows the tambourine by the way? Still in safe keeping I hope.
Complain about this postIf it makes you people feel any better most australians cant get tickets either. Its not like we are swimming in them either. there is controversy because people feel that England have far far to many. Im sure more englishmen will see the tests here than they would in England. (largely due to the fact that our grounds are often twice the size).
Complain about this postI think that the days of the independent supporters are over, washed away by the tidal wave of all those who seek a share of the cash, genertaed mostly from TV Rights that most sports are awash with these days.From football through cricket tennis and golf unless you are prepared to fork out large amounts of cash the chances of getting tickets are limited. I am a pom in Perth, in 1970 I watched the Illingworth lead side at the WACA Test Match, no fuss , turned up at the ground, bought a ticket, walked in. This time had to buy an extortionate hotel linked packet to get tickets. Times change,maybe those of my age have to be thankful that we were around in the 'good times' when local lads played for local teams, sporting behaviour was the norm and players did not get elevated into the role of icons. The fact is that the term 'sport' does not fit anymore it's all jsut another business venture. Joe
Complain about this postPhil,
HST's down Leicester station are free, mate!
Complain about this postIn case you blokes didn't realise, this Ashes series is in Australia. Pommies don't have a God given right to tickets just because they're English! Empire's over lads, time to accept the fact, move on and stop your whinging. Anyway as sloggers Peitersen and Flintoff are about to find out, Australian grounds are much larger than the grounds in England so your grounds would be worse at satisfying demand. By the way, are Australia playing England or the United Nations this series?
Complain about this postIt's funny all this talk. I was under the impression that sport's fans(especially independent ones) were of the opinion that the best way of doing things was on a first come first served basis. It's funny how things change when all of a sudden, one or more of those individuals who have been very lucky to get tickets in the past( when some of us were unable to) can't get the tickets they long for.
Complain about this postWell welcome to the world that exists for the vast majority of average people.Just think yourself lucky you've been able to get to all the stuff you have in the past.
I'm a POM living in Melbourne. It's no wonder we have a reputation for whingeing, listening to you lot.Get over it and get on with finding a good venue to watch it from afar.
There are still tickets available on Ticketmaster.com.au , you just have to have an Aussie Crickt membership... Which they stupidly allowed us POMS to have!! heheheh See yah there Phil...
Complain about this postYeah - Nice one DASH!!!! Have you fools thought of anymore songs yet? I cant wait to hear the next rendition of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi"
Complain about this posthii found it easy to get tickets for any of the tests, but i`ve been leain in new zeland but got tickets to every test and most one day internationals its having the right phone numbers and been lucky
Complain about this postI know how you feel. As an ex-pat living in Perth i can't get a ticket either and i was a member of that great invention the "Australian cricket family" The people here have no idea how to run a ticket agancy. None what so ever. I go to all Australias tests here every year. Now because of the interest i have no chance. It will be fun here on day one. There are thousands of members and not thousands of seats for them. You see members trying to get in at 7am for a seat.
Complain about this postThrough the ECB and the Barmy Army I managed to procure a pair of tickets to the first 4 days at Melbourne and days 1,3,4 at Sydney. Seems like Mr. Phil did not try that hard
Complain about this postI shall miss your fans eye view of watching England on tour.
Complain about this postPhil me old mate,
Complain about this postYou must be in dreamland. Get yourself onto ebay and you will find that you do not have to part with 1000's of pounds for tickets. True they are turning over at between two and five times face value but this is still dirt cheap compared to a day at Lords.
I suspect your negotiations with your partner have finally run their course and you just can't swing another jolly.
As for the hardcore of fans...its always changed since people do have to earn at some point in their lives as travelling the world watching England does not yet command a salary (note ECB this could perhaps be examined if Sky were to pay even more for TV rights). There will plenty of old and new faces this time round as there always is and always will be.
You must be sore about not going to write such rubbish hoping that it won't be as good as when you did go - but you will be wrong!!
I managed to get tickets for the First Test in Brisbane via the phone, ( Only $25 a day ) which is a 1/4 of the price you would pay over here.Ok it took some time, You had to be prepared to put in the effort. There are plenty of tickets out there , Seems Phil did'nt try hard enough.
This is my second Ashes tour, Im only doing the first test this time as I did the other 4 on a 6 month trip last time. The Tours are alot more popular now but that was always going to happen after the series win over here and the fact more and more people head out to Oz in the winter now anyway.
I manged to get return flights for 拢800 , A week in a caravan is costing 拢50 and then spending money on top so if your willing to stay in a caravan or hostel you can still make it a fairly cheap trip !
Come on England!
Complain about this postBe happy to offer you two tickets I have spare for day two of the Melbourne Boxing Day test at face value. If not any other real fan would be welcome.
Complain about this postFrom an Aussie who spends his time between England and Australia, I am astounded you guys are complaining about ticket access. I found it near impossible to get tickets in the UK while living there or in Australia. I am sure it is far easier for you guys to get Ashes tickets in Oz. This will be confirmed by the numbers Barmy Army fans over here this summer. Blame your travel companies.
Complain about this postI could not agree more
Tour operators are really a form of legalised touts.
When England visit these days the host country effectively sets up a black market in those tickets not pre allocated to tour operators.
Some of this is unintentional (as in this case I think ) but the effect is the same. Touts have been allowed to buy 12 tickets per day in some cases. We have to buy from them at inflated prices
THis happened on the last Caribbean tour and will be the norm now.
It would not be allowed in most consumer trades
Cheers
Complain about this postAs an England fan living in England, I agree with Gordon. It's far from easy to get tickets for our Tests, especially at Lords. In the light of that, we can hardly complain. I've managed to get two tickets for all 5 days of Sydney and Melbourne without much difficulty.
By the way, has anyone else heard the rumour that the Aussies will be bringing back Dennis Lillie and David Boon as they are worried about the age of their team and this would bring the average down? Can't wait to see the old boys again.
Complain about this postPhil - although not easy, with planning it was poss to get tickets. me and girlfriend have 19 out of 15 poss days.
does this mean we wont have to be subjected to your 'journalsim any more'
ps. we are recently graduated
Complain about this postJust to give people an insight into the difference between this Ashes series in Australia compared to the previous one in 2002/2003 with regards to tickets.
In 2002/2003, I went to the Melboune and Sydney tests but I did not buy tickets before hand.
For the Melbourne test I paid cash at the turnstiles!
For the Sydney test, I rang up the ticket office at 4pm the day before and reserved tickets for the following day.
If only tickets were so easy to come by this time. It's funny what a difference 4 years makes!
Complain about this postI met Phil backpacking round New Zealand for the 1996/97 winter tour. Having since seen England bowl Australia out in a session to win the Boxing Day test in Melbourne and been at The Oval to see us lift the Ashes, that first tour remains my favourite. A five day test match ticket cost NZ $15 and the atmosphere was fantastic as genuine fans combined travelling with cricket.
Tours have simply been hijacked by prohibitive ticket pricing and over-priced travel operators. But demand has still outweighed supply so perhaps most of all we are victims of England's success.
I don't remember a problem getting into Eden Park when Nathan Astle and Danny Morrison (most ducks in test cricket at time) were putting on that century stand 10 winters ago to foil Mullally and co in the First test
Complain about this postCould they put up a fanfest with a giant screen and plenty of beer like at the footy world cup in germany? It was always a good atmosphere AND you've got a chance of scalping a ticket if you're actually there.
Complain about this postMore tickets have been made available,
Far more low key than the first release.
Complain about this postSame old 大象传媒! Support the enemy. criticise the England team. No wonder you lost the cricket, and rightly so with your pathetic coverage.
Complain about this postI cannot believe all the winging!!? The reason that it is now so difficult for you all to get tickets is that Cricket is now in the same (or higher) league to Premiership football and about time.
I live in Eilat Israel and could never afford the time or money to travel to Aus but I can watch the games live on T.V. so what's the problem.
Its the age old case of supply and demand, 10 years ago nobody wanted to watch cricket, now if you want to go then dig deep into your pockets and stop complaining like a bunch of English wallies. Bravo England and Australia for putting this fantastic game on the Map
Eilat ex-pat Eilat
Complain about this postI have to say that I agree with vivalasvegan below. As an Englishman living in Oz, although the tours do snap up a lot of tickets, it has been noticeable that there has definately been a conscious effort by the Ozzies to try and keep the games dominated by home support.
I think they learned that lesson from the lions tour a few years ago and the rugby world cup when English/British fans just swamped the place.
I think that after losing the Ashes last time they are still a bit sore and are willing to take every path possible to get them back.
Complain about this postI'll have your day 3 tickets for Adelaide, all I have are a pair of tickets for day 5 and the South Australia vs. England tour match there.
(as well as tickets for day 4 in Melbourne, and the ODI between New Zealand and England in Adelaide)
Complain about this postI have been lucky enough to get my hands on tickets for every day of every test. It only came about because of the fact that I'm already in Oz, on a working holiday. To say that tickets are impossible to get is wrong, as has already been said, www.stoptout.com and barmyarmy.com have both got people with spare tickets. I myself have managed to get hold of many tickets through the barmy army website.
Complain about this postBasically, if you looked hard enough, there are enough people willing to sell tickets at face value.
How times have changed with the English cricket team, regarding its following both at home and over seas. The 1993 tour of India was followed by about 30 of us who went to all three tests + the Sri Lanka tour. Even the Australia tour in 95 didn't have a huge following. The Barmy Army started off as a bit of a laugh with Dave Peacock having about 20 t -shirts printed with Michael Parkinson and his wife taking a couple of his hands at an England XI game in Sydney ! Now look at them. It was a laugh then. Now its about every greedy joker starting up travel companys, buying up as many of the tickets as possible, which then gives them the freedom to fleece us.
Complain about this postA five day pass for the 95 series cost us 55 dollars for each test and none of us bothered getting them untill a day or two before the tests were due to start. How times have changed ?
The prices in England are out of control. The reason why ? Because "they can get away with it"
The game in England is watched by people who either have so much money[ 拢 50 + per day is nothing to them . The south ] or people who go along "caus its a laugh" and like wearing their Mrs clothes.
The E.C.B couldn't care less who goes, as long as they pay. Living in a era with so much disposable incombe flying around, ain't so good for the old school fan..................
You are not alone. I am an ex - pat living in Brisbane and only managed to bag an adult and junior ticket for day 4 at the Gabba. That despite being part of the Australian Cricket Family. I spent a day and a half on the internet for the pleasure. The ticketing has been a bit of a farce has it not? The ticketing company released all international tickets ( in Australia), for the season on the same day. Three venues were on the same telephone number.... recipe for chaos and discontent.
Complain about this postAs an aside the tickets only cost A$30 ( 拢12) in total and include free public transport..... the tour companies must be raking it in?
You are not alone. I am an ex - pat living in Brisbane and only managed to bag an adult and junior ticket for day 4 at the Gabba. That despite being part of the Australian Cricket Family. I spent a day and a half on the internet for the pleasure. The ticketing has been a bit of a farce has it not? The ticketing company released all international tickets ( in Australia), for the season on the same day. Three venues were on the same telephone number.... recipe for chaos and discontent.
Complain about this postAs an aside the tickets only cost A$30 ( 拢12) in total and include free public transport..... the tour companies must be raking it in?
If you guys want tickets, then why don't you buy them? Thanks, James
Complain about this postA really good way to buy tickets is over the internet. thanks, Jack
Complain about this postload of rubbish. I've been picking up tickets for myself and friends everywhere. were theres a will theres a way.
sounds to me that you've got to 35 and realised theres more to life than cricket tours and yet you've got nothing to show for your 35 years other than a well inked passport. but now you've found the excuss you needed to avoid your annual work shy winter and get on with life.
either that or your probably one of the many snobbish 'independant traveller' who can't bear the thought of going on such a main stream holiday and being unnoticed and lost in thousands of england fans heading down under.
but please whatever your reason for not going don't fill the internet with such rubbish, surely theres enough out there already.
Complain about this postWell England you are here at last.
As an Englishman living in Melbourne--ex-Kettering Northants--I am looking forward to seeing the lads on the 28th Dec in the fourth Test at the MCG--or the "G" as it is called by the locals.
You will need all your psyche and mental toughness--Aussies slag off any thing that moves,so don't be upset if they get at you thro your Mum,sister, girlfiend,ex wife!!!--get the picture??
My Aussie wife and I have been married for years --we both speak English--but believe me we speak a different language.
Anything that slags off the "Old Country" is fair game.
Of course they seem to forget that Oz is now beginning to look like an old country too!!!
So,get it right in Brisbane--don't be chasing the dream after that ---you must NOT lose in the first test or things will get very nasty.
Good Luck
Geoff Marshall
Complain about this postWhy is it that brief success makes every British Sportsman an instant sports reporter.Almost every English Test cricketer has his own column in the British Press,they are treated like Hollywood Stars ,which in itself is an insult to the great sport of cricket.Even Strauss is talking up the Brisbane test as if we only have to turn up and play as well as we did in the last Ashes series.Hey you fellers only a few runs in what turned out to be a crucial test separate you from being in Australia now or spending a cold winter back home.Stop spouting like a geyser,get your heads down and let bat and ball do the talking.
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