Wello's Ashes Blog

After a longish journey from L.A, I arrive in Brisbane to find a city building up nicely to the most eagerly awaited test series in living memory. Groups of England supporters, identifiable by their Umbro tracksuits and polar bear coloured skin, gathered excitedly at the Gabba only to be denied access to their heroes - the England team boarded their bus behind closed doors, without signing bats and autographs (understandable I think).

Security for the 1st test is, to put it mildly, tight. No rucksacks, no cans, no flags, no professional cameras (assessed by the security staff), no instruments, no mobile phone images to be sent. Spectators are allowed to take in water, but it can't be frozen - this is to avoid mass ice fights breaking out between unruly mobs of drunken fans, or so I'm told. Everything taken into the ground must be carried in virtue of a clear plastic bag, unless you're a girl whereby handbags will be allowed. Whether this means hordes of Aussie males will be seen visiting Prada stores in Brisbane in an attempt to smuggle contraband into the ground remains to be seen, but I wouldn't put it past them.

The beauty of Brisbane strikes you the moment you walk along the river and it prompted the comment from one of my touring group as to why Britain couldn't make our cities more like this, with it's underground bus lanes and city beaches (sandy swimming pools located in public areas). 'Our cities date back over a thousand years and have had to develop with an infrastructure already in place, that's why they're not as nice or user friendly', I suggested. 'The Aussies have only been building theirs for a few decades, so it's not surprising they look so nice'.

'If that's the case, how did we make such a pig's ear of Milton Keynes Wello?' came the reply. I pondered my reply, but realised it was pointless.

The build up continues, more to come tomorrow.

Wello