Anchorman 2 star Ron Burgundy is back reading the headlines ahead of his massive December return and he’s not a huge fan of the Ashes series.
Burgundy was present in the lead-up to the AFL Grand Final and returns to dissect Australia’s oldest sporting tradition.
“The pride of each nation is at stake,” says Burgundy.
“The spoils? An almighty trophy cut from the bone of the gods.”
Check out the clip below.
The usual slate of headlines are emerging after Australia secured a 2-0 series lead on Monday.
The Aussies copped the brunt of the negative and exaggerated backlash after being beaten down during their England visit earlier in the year. Now it’s the visitors’ turn.
Former Australian Test hero Matthew Hayden took a sly jab at England, questioning the leadership of their out of luck captain Alastair Cook.
“He’s really under the pump and his leadership is now under the pump as well,” Hayden told 7 News.
“He’s starting to make comments about belief, about hunger and now we’re starting to see the real England.
“We’re starting to see how dour they are, how doubtful they are, how uninspiring they’ve been throughout this series.”
Shane Warne presented a less biased opinion in his column in the London Telegraph, saying he believed Cook is made of the right stuff to turn around England’s fortunes, culminating in combined losses of 599 runs in Brisbane and Adelaide.
Warne complimented Cook’s tactical strategies and said he believed the captain had an opportunity turn around his personal, and the team’s, lack of success thus far on tour.
The British tabloids were not as friendly as the visitors announced the withdrawal of stars Kevin Pietersen and James Anderson from the one-day series following the current Ashes series.
Coach Andy Flower said the veterans, both into their 30s, will receive some much needed rest after heavy schedules.
“This is going to be another month of tough cricket and then a heavy schedule from the West Indies tour onwards,” Flower said.
“Straight after the World T20, the Indian Premier League begins and while that’s on, the English season starts. Our players who play all three forms cannot play 12 months a year.
“Guys like Anderson and Pietersen are in their early 30s now and they are prize assets and we need to look after them. From a physical perspective, they’re always dealing with various niggles and sometimes they need to be taken out of competition.”
Spinner Graeme Swan will also be forced to miss the one-day action starting January 12.
Former England skipper Michael Vaugh was just one of the many pundits turning against his team, predicting a 5-0 sweep by the Aussies.
“England showed character in the second innings but this wicket was slow. I really feel 5-0 could be on the cards,” said Vaughan.
“Australia has been fantastic and it could be a whitewash. England look frazzled.”
The Ashes heads to Perth for the third Test with the visitors last collecting a win in the west at the WACA in 1978-79.
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