Cricket, the greatest game in the world!

Australians and English people everywhere are getting excited! We love cricket and the Ashes will begin on the 23rd of November. Cricket is an amazing game, loved all around the world. Traditionally the game would be played over 5 days but since the 1980's day/night games that go for about 8 hours are very popular. It is a similar game to baseball but for me, much more exciting!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket <- English
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88 <- Japanese

Pease go here for more information about cricket! Its a great game!

The most famous cricket series (apart from the World Cup), is called the Ashes. It is the oldest international cricket series and started in 1882. It is called The Ashes because the two teams compete to win the ashes of the stumps (the sticks in the middle of the field) from the first game. The Ashes travelled from England to Australia in a first class seat, handcuffed to a bodyguard! They are very valuable to us!

Japan wins 1st and 2nd in this year's Melbourne Cup!

Congratulations Japan! The horses that came in first and second in this year’s Melbourne Cup were both Japanese! The horse that won is called 'Delta Blues' and the horse that came second is called 'Pop Rock'! The two Japanese horses took both the first prize of AU$3 million and the second prize of AU$750,000. Katsuhiko Sumii, who is the trainer of both horses, is very famous in Australia now!

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most famous horse race. As a part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival it is known as "the race that stops the nation" because everyone in Australia stops what they are doing to watch or listen to the race. In Melbourne we even have a public holiday for it! It is held on the first Tuesday in November on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. It is the most prestigious "two-mile" (3200 metres) race in the world.

The event is one of the most popular spectator events in Australia, with over 110,000 people, some dressed in formal wear and others in exotic and amusing costumes, attending the race.

The first Melbourne Cup was held in 1861. The horses were racing for a gold watch and 170 pounds cash. It is said that the winner, Archer, walked 800km to the course from Nowra, New South Wales.

The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival successfully combines fashion with horse racing. As it is held in spring, it is conveniently placed between the football and cricket seasons. During the winter (where football is dominant), and summer (where cricket is dominant), racing takes a 'back seat' position in relation to the cricket or footy in terms of media coverage and attendances. However, in spring and autumn, the mass media turns its attention to the racing. The Melbourne Cup is a lot of fun and it gives everyone in Melbourne the chance to drink champagne for breakfast!

Have you heard of these horses or the Melbourne Cup before? Are there any horse races in Japan that are treated like this? I am looking forward to hearing your answers! Cya! .don