It doesn't get much better than that

ASHES THRILLER

Regardless of the result the opening Test of this Ashes series was one of the best, if not the best, I can remember watching.

This age old cricket battle between Australia and England had it all - a century, a 10-wicket haul, a world record from a number 11, controversial decisions and an edge-of-your-seat finale on the fifth day.

But above all else were the twists and turns along the way, just when you thought the match was going in one direction it was flung 180 degrees like an oven ready for frozen chips.

Pic - smh.com.au

And not to mention the most incredible of international sporting debuts by Ashton Agar (pictured), who went from relative unknown to national hero inside 48 hours of taking the field following a remarkable 98 scored at sticks before dismissing the English skipper with his left-arm orthodox deliveries.

In terms of the controversial decisions, many of which were reviewed and others that were simply glaring errors, England probably got the rub of the green compared to Australia. 

However, England probably deserved to win the match over the course of the five days despite how fairytale-like it would have been for Australia to score another 14 runs with just one wicket in hand at Trent Bridge.

Overall, this Test confirmed that taking off your shoe in a deliberate attempt to slow the game down will not win you many fans after being caught at first slip and not being given out (not naming any names Stuart Broad).

It also reconfirmed something I think I might have known all along - my enduring love of this summer pastime.  

Bring on Test number two from the home of cricket, Lords, on Thursday. 

LOOKING BACK: One of the most bizarre instances to occur in a sporting arena with a football referee stoned to death and beheaded after stabbing a player for refusing to leave the field when red carded. Not the ideal tourist attraction for Brazil ahead of next year's World Cup.

  Pic - Scott Heppell AP for USA Today website

LOOKING FORWARD: The British Open tees off at Muirfield tomorrow with US Masters champion Adam Scott trying to bury the demons of last year's meltdown while compatriot Jason Day attempts to breakthrough for his first major after being close on previous occasions. Who will win the Claret Jug? That remains to be seen but this Spaniard (pictured left) is certainly enjoying that Cuban during practice rounds.

LOOKING GOOD: Agnieszka Radwanska may have been dropped by a Catholic youth group in her native Poland but the nude photo in ESPN wasn't that bad, was it?

More red than gold and more song than cents

LION TAMING 

Question: What do you get when you put an Irishman, a rugby Test, a capital city, loud anthems and a few ales together on the one night?

Answer: An almighty hangover and a craving for greasy food after being in one of the best atmospheres you could possibly imagine at a live sporting event. 

The occasion was Saturday night's third and deciding game between Australia and the British and Irish Lions in Sydney and it goes a little something like this...

"I left Newcastle a little after midday after finishing work and once I'd picked up the obligatory gold jersey I was on my way down the F3 without a ticket and without much of an idea.

Before I knew it I was walking in the footsteps of Olympians on my way to the first available bar out at Homebush.

Irish rugby mates (named Patty and Mikey - not even kidding) were successfully located after simply following the noise and suddenly sing-a-long-songs were met by hugs from strangers in red jumpers and many rounds of beer, but not necessarily in that order. 

The point arrived where this new social group was splitting up to inside and outside players before a random phone call provided a game changer.

After a brief exchange me and three blokes I had met less than 100 minutes earlier had scored bargain tickets only half an hour before kick off!

An 80-plus thousand sea of red and gold passionately supporting their teams creating more electricity around the ground than Ausgrid on a stormy night.

But the catch cry that stood out was the slow-building chant ... li-ons ... Li-ons ... LIONS!

Eventually it was back to the bar where it all started and more hugs from strangers in red jumpers, rounds of beer and more sing-a-long-songs, but not necessarily in that order.

Final destination was Central station and a nearby establishment where I was literally the only person inside with a Wallabies jersey on, it was simply wall-to-wall red.

In other environments you may fear for your life but it just didn't seem to matter one iota.

A bit of banter arm-in-arm over a pint and life was good, plus attention had turned towards the hurling match about to start between Killarney and Tipperary.

What a whirlwind 12 hours or so...

And by the way Australia lost the game 41-16 and consequentially the series 2-1, which was followed by the sacking of Robbie Deans as Wallaby coach and the appointment of former Test prop Ewen McKenzie.

Not that it really seemed to matter much by the end of the night."

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LOOKING BACK: Aussie cycling team Orica GreenEdge made quite the impact on the opening week of this year's Tour de France having parked the bus on the finish line before scoring stage wins and getting hold of the coveted yellow leaders jersey. But check out their hilarious off-course song tributes to ACDC and Call Me Maybe.

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LOOKING FORWARD: The Ashes! The first Test starts in Nottingham tonight and after all the hype it's time to get these back-to-back series underway. A few classic catches to get you in the mood.

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LOOKING GOOD: While others his age are going through mid-life crises and trying to make park football careers Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has just been signed as Chelsea's back up option for next season aged 40 years. All before signing off at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil!