England Regain The Ashes

Six weeks ago, this didn't look a likely result! England had just escaped from Cardiff with an unlikely draw having been thoroughly outplayed. Then at Lord's, Australia were surprisingly poor and England took a 1 - 0 lead. Then on to my local test match at Edgbaston...and it rained, so another draw. Then the 4th Test Match at Headingley where England were very poor and were well beaten; 1 - 1! Having played so badly, England rebounded at The Oval and despite some early wobbles, managed to outplay the Aussies on the 1st Innings to record a famous victory and regain The Ashes!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Which English politician was born today in 1759 and was a leading figure in the movement to abolish slavery?
   
   
2. Cal Ripken Jr (right) was born today in 1960 and played a record 2,632 consecutive games for which baseball team?
   
   
3. Which object in the solar system was relegated to the status of dwarf planet today in 2006?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Australia; 2. "My Own Private Idaho"; 3. John Lennon

The Ashes - First Test Match in Cardiff

Today sees the renewal of an old rivalry when England take on Australia in the first Ashes Test Match at Cardiff. This is the first time a test match has been played on this ground, so it should be interesting as neither side should have any advantage. Let's hope it is as close and as tensely interesting as in 2005!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. Which poet drowned today in 1822 off the coast of Italy, aged 29?
   
   
2. Israeli politician Tzipi Livni (right) was born today in 1958 and, in 2008, became Prime Minister as leader of which political party?
   

   
   
3. Which newspaper was first published today in 1889 by Dow Jones & Company of New York?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Pierre Cardin; 2. "Worzel Gummidge"; 3. Sliced Bread