da 888： The Ashes memories just keep on coming as two more DVDs arrive for your viewing pleasure

da brdice： Edward Craig28-Jan-2007

Another Christmas, another Ashes series andyet another Phil Tufnell DVD. Here, Phil, with anold twist to an old theme, trades on his loveablerogue image to string together another series ofcricket clips, linked with toe-curling one-linersand limp explanation from the ex-king of thejungle.This seems little different to Tufnell’s effortslast year, except he wanders round quirkylocations at Lord’s and The Oval as opposed toquirky locations at Arundel and the Rose Bowl(increase in budgets, no doubt) introducingclips of Ashes Geezers (Botham), Gaffes (Englandin 1989) and Greats (Keith Miller).In theory, this could make for an interestingretrospective, and some of the clips aremagnificent – Harold Larwood’s bowling action,Gooch batting at The Oval in 1985 – but youcould watch this footage through goggles filledwith ink and still enjoy them. Cutting themtogether with an irritating soundtrack and anirritating script only diminishes their value.That said, Tufnell is one of the better thingsabout the DVD. You know what he’s going todo, how he’s going to do it, you can see thejokes coming and, although it can be painful, hedoes it pretty well – he’s natural and energeticbut needs a better writer. Throw in somehorrendous editing and an awful “chat” withTMS commentator Henry Blofeld (he’s on radiofor a reason), you’ll do well to reach the end.

This is not an easy time for English people toview an Ashes DVD. The past seems very similarto the present. Australian victories, like a SteveHarmison over, just go on and on.Our famous guides, Ian Botham and AllanBorder, do their best, but Shakespeareannarrators they ain’t. In between Tests they faceeach other across the table and dissect. “AndAustralia went on their merry way,” says ABseveral times. Beefy nods and scratches theside of his nose in preparation for rememberinganother ad-lib.But what they describe is magnificent- lots and lots of great cricket. They begin onIllingworth’s 70-71 tour and the clips just keeprolling. John Snow getting menaced by theworld’s oldest hooligan. Lillee and Thomson;Tony Greig hitting, then signalling, a four. ColinCowdrey, aged 42, with no need for a chestprotector, getting one on the elbow.There are little moments of beauty too.Those Gower cover drives. How could aman stand so still when the ball was aboutto be delivered? And on disc two, enjoythe wicketkeeping of Ian Healy below, thebest Australia has had. Speaking of brilliantAustralians, there’s nothing like a Benaud bonmot. Bill Lawry, on the other hand, with 30 yearsin the comm box on his CV, may never knowwhether a swipe to the boundary will becomea four or a six.If you’re English, the fast forward button may be useful on disc two. A decade-and-a-half of Australian skill and English ineptitude. If only we’d known in 1989, when disc one shows Kim Barnett getting slogged to all parts by Merv Hughes, that – 2005 excepted – Australia wouldjust keep going on their merry way.

This is Australian sporting nirvana. Amazing Adelaide records the critical second Test of the 2006-07 Ashes at the Adelaide Oval, in which the hosts were 15-1 to win on the final morning… and went on to win. Each of the five days’ play, plus the post-match celebrations, have been put into one 115-minute highlight reel. The DVD, hosted by Michael Slater and Richie Benaud, is a compilation taken from Channel 9’s excellent coverage over the Australian summer.Features are few; there is no 5.1 stereo available for proper effect. There is only the one menu to navigate, though, and the image is represented well on any HD television or projector. A great gift and not to mention lesson. England should be sat down and made to watch the highlights again and again to learn just why it’s important to play the full five days out – and play them with total concentration.