And God bless everyone.
Just to quickly get the cricket out of the way; it is hardly a pleasure to be proved right! A little more one sided than I imagined, but Australia have thoroughly deserved their victory, which is likely to be 5-0 in a weeks time. The demonic looking Mitchell Johnson has done just what I feared and become the star of the series. So well done to him, especially after all the stick he has taken over the years when playing us.
But another particular well done is called for. Brad Haddin, approaching 35, has had a quite fantastic series. Brilliant behind the stumps and equally so at No.7 in the batting order. He has been ridiculously good, and fully vindicates the decision of Darren Lehman the coach to bring him back into the team.
These two men, apparently in the wilderness this time last year, have been brought back and have personified the difference between the sides. We can hope that England learn from this horror tour and make the changes that are clearly needed. Players are no longer getting better in the England team environment.
Quiet night in for all of us toight, away from all the rubbish, but I'll put some predictions down anyway.
General.
A wave of people will arrive into the UK from Bulgaria and Romania. Chaos will ensue, and politiicans will spend their time lying about it and dodging the issue. A vile pox on all their houses.
Economy.
It will look as if it is getting better, but it is a mirage. All borrowed money and illusion. The state borrows and spends too much, and until it does not we will continue sliding down into eventual ruin.
Sport.
Sunderland.
Who knows! We are in the deepest brown stuff once more, but there are slight signs of hope. Only slight, but if Gus Poyet can keep this lot up, then he might be the manager we have been waiting for since Peter Reid.
In Cricket, there will be a bit of a blood letting over the Ashes thrashing, but probably not sufficient. England lose the summer series to India. Durham do well again, but miss Stokes and finish fourth and struggle to keep hold of the inspirational Paul Collingwood who is wanted by England.
Man Utd, astonishingly, win the league. Leicester, QPR and Ipswich are promoted.
I won't be betting on any of the above!
Happy New Year.!
