It certainly is an exciting time to be a sports fan, or indeed a fan of sport if you are offended by the Americanisation of our language. In particular it is fine to be me. Not only do Southampton sit third in the Premier League but the Ashes begin in Brisbane tonight. And nothing gets my juices flowing quite like the Ashes.
If results go their way this weekend then Saints could be top after twelve games. First place after three games is perhaps a freak start to the season; top after 12 makes you genuine contenders, perhaps not for the title but certainly for a hallowed top four spot. It was also refreshing to see three Saints players turn out for England in the last week. Jay Rodriguez may have looked a little out of his depth but Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert both look the part for me. If you factor in ex-academy players Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (currently both injured) plus Gareth 'the-most-expensive-player-in-the-world' Bale (currently Welsh), then the football landscape could look even more Sainty.
As far as the cricket goes there are just two small problems. Firstly, and for the first time in the last few series, I have absolutely no idea which way the contest will go. If England are as shoddy as they were this summer then surely they will receive a battering allowing the Aussies to prove that not only are they the worst losers in the world but also the worst winners. However, should England play to the potential they showed when last 'down-under' then it could turn into another crushing defeat for our Australian friends. Let's hope so. Problem number two is the time difference. Should one stay up late and watch the first session thereby ensuring a bleary eyed day in the office, head bobbing around like one of those Churchill dogs on a dashboard? Alternatively one could try and get a really early night, get up at 5am and watch the last session of the day over a nice cup of tea and a bowl of muesli? Quite a dilemma I am sure you will agree.
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