UK’s Sunny Days
- August 7th, 2013
- Posted by EU Australia
Even the traditional wet weather of Manchester could not dampen this year’s Summer of sunshine for the United Kingdom.
Rain stopped play at Old Trafford on Monday as the England cricket team showed signs of collapse against Australian bowlers, escaping with a draw — and in the process securing their Ashes series win.
The event added dim extra cheer in the country edging out of economic recession and reveling in some glory in Summer sports.
In the cricket, following on from wins against Australia at Trent bridge, Nottinghamshire, and by a devastating margin at Lord’s, London, England faltered at Manchester.
In their last innings on the final day (5.8.13), England were trailing by 292, on 3-35 when the rain came on. They added two in intermittent play before the match was abandoned. The damage had been done by Australia’s opening innings, 527 declared, headed by the captain’s knock of 187, by Michael Clarke.
England started as holders of the Ashes, and now lead in the series of five, 2-0, with two matches to play.
The sunny month of July had produced clearer victories:
In cycling, Britain’s Chris Froome easily maintained a stage-by-stage lead, cruising into the Champs Elysee as winner of the Tour de France, 21.7.13.
Earlier, Andy Murray triumphed at Wimbledon, a rare home victory in tennis (9.7.13), and two days before that, in Rugby football, the British and Irish Lions defeated the Wallabies, winning their series in Sydney.
See EUAustralia Online, Wimbledon: Brits break hoodoo, 9.7.13.
Reference
Sam Sheringham, Ashes 2013: England retain Ashes …, BBC, London, 5.8.13. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23579840, (6.8.13).
Cricbuzz.com, scores. http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-scorecard-archives/scorecard/11456, (6.8.13).