The bowler's Holding, the batsman's Willey

I was going to write a blog about cricket - rather than camping - being the new rock n roll.

For those of you equipped with memories think back to September 2005 - it WAS the new rock n roll for-ever-such-a-brief moment back then.

Yes, that was when England won the ashes and Freddie Flintoff got pissed in front of the whole nation.

He played one hell of a blinder, then promptly decided to go out and get hammered on one hell of a bender.

There is talk about him trying to recapture the spirit (what about the beer and wine?) of 2005. He is trying to play in a relaxed, carefree way - the way he did four years ago.

Sadly, on the evidence of the first three days of the First Test - in Cardiff of all places - 2005 was a vintage year and 2009 nothing more than an ordinary harvest. He might be relaxed and carefree but no Man Of The Series moments so far.

There have been hints of what the great man can do. Only the merest of hints. But so far it has not been enough - he has been all too human.

The overwhelming professionalism of the Australian Cricket team - no stars (despite the stats I don't see Ricky Ponting as a star - I see him more as the long-lost son of George W Bush - believe me folks the resemblance is strong) just faceless professionals - have been the clear winners so far.

Those faceless professionals are doing a better job than any star the England team can field at the moment - maybe we should get the guy in the black and white photo out of retirement, he seems to know what a batsman should do when he sees a ball (or two).

Don't even get me started about Kevin Pietersen - when he played 'that' shot to get out he was probably as disorientated as the rest of us that the first test was being held in Wales. What the?!

Still, it might not be a vintage summer for cricket but, now that there are another 22 more days of Test cricket to look forward to, Lord Loafer can indulge in as much loafing as befits a man of my leisurely status.

Cricket is not the new rock n roll - or if it is it is the new Prog Rock and everyone who is a cricket fan should get there hands on one of these...


... oh yeah baby.