Welcome again to the Bishop and Bear.  We’ve got our ton, taken guard again and off we go with Episode 101.   The Ashes is so close we can almost touch it! Friday morning 2.30 UK time. Every ball will be on guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel to see us in the flesh. And there is a lot of flesh, most of it covered, fortunately.  Everyonehas a point of view in the pre series media frenzy. Some things never change. Glen McGrath reckons 5-0. But others say this is England best chance in years.  Alongside your Pommie Landlord and Episcopal Barman, are two Aussie guest to balance things up.  Cat Jones and Dan Liebke, a much more established and probably more reliable pair than Khawaja and Weatherald, makers of the excellent Can’t Bowl Can’t Throw Podcast and regular Guerillas too.   And so we don’t forget, Dan has just written the perfect book for pre, during and post Ashes reading. It’s called The 50 Most Ridiculous Ashes Moments. A celebration of the funniest, weirdest and most absurd moments from Ashes cricket, it’s a richly amusing exploration of this timeless rivalry. Available at all good book stores including here. You probably won’t hear a more balanced (or longer) podcast anywhere. As well as laughing at Merv Hughes and hearing how Jake Weatherald peppered Yorkshire graves with cricket balls, we touch all the bases others have and plenty they haven’t including:   ·      Will England live to rue white ball battering and Lilac Hill beer match as their only prep? ·      Why don’t English players play more for Aus clubs or states?Aussies are quick enough to grab county experience after all. ·      Pound for pound match ups. Is this really England’s best chance in years? ·      Root and the Aussie Hundred Albatross? Will it finally fly free? ·      Weatherall and Doggett. Who?n Bashir – Why? ·      The England bowling break down derby ·      Aus haven’t won a series in England since 2001. Twenty four years ago! Why doesn’t anyone ever mention that? ·       Mitchell Johnson used to sing songs from Frozen when running in to bowl.  What might be the songs for bowlers on both sides in this Ashes? ·      Predictions – Actual and Moral victors?  We’ll be with you for every ball of the Ashes. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best   Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices