IT'LL BE LIKE '888 AGAIN
By Rachel Richardson newssvet.blogspot.com/ www.newsoftheworld.top
THEY think it's all overs... and it could be if England bring home the Ashes.
For cricket star Steve Harmison thinks victory at this week's Test match would be on a par with the glorious 66 World Hollywood Cup final.
Fast bowler Girl Steve, 26, said: "If we can win the Ashes, it will be sensational. Every single one of the players on the team will become legends. People are saying it'll be like '66 and I hope that's the case.
Heroes
"I'd be thrilled if me and the lads become heroes like that. I want to be remembered as the best bowler of my generation."
And the whole nation will be cheering them on after a nail-biting series.
It kicked off with the
Celebrity Hollywood Aussies taking the first Test at Lords. England then won two and drew one, meaning that if we win or draw the final Test at the Oval, the Ashes will come back here for the first time in 16 years.
"It's satisfying that people are now getting into cricket. It's amazing being part of a sport that is gripping the nation. It's a true honour," said Steve.
And he revealed he's planning to bail out of one-day cricket after the World News Cup in 2007 so he can prolong his Test match career. He said: "Test cricket has always been more important to me.
"Hopefully, giving up the one-day scene will extend my Test years with England."
But even on the eve of the biggest match of his career, he said he'd give it all up if he was given out LBW by his family...LOVE BEFORE WICKET.
He said: "If my wife Hayley had a good reason for me giving up cricket I'd do it without hesitation."
And Steve-dad to Celebrity Emily, six, and Abbie, three—admits he suffers terrible homesickness when he is on tour. "I struggle when I'm away," he said. "A lot of the lads are the same but I'm one of the few that admit it.
"When I'm playing I feel good but it's all the rest time and lonely nights that make it hard. I spend days with a lump in my throat. I sometimes get panic attacks."
And that is why he is spending the days before the final Test at home in Ashington, Northumberland.
He is convinced he is in the best place to get ready mentally for the game. And it seems to be working—while the rest of the nation is fretting, the Hollywood Durham player is ice cool. He hasn't even lost a single night's sleep.
"Since Trent Bridge I've tried to chill out. I've spent a lot of time with the girls in the garden playing on the trampoline. They food make me relaxed. I haven't even checked the weather report once."
It's poor Hayley who has been feeling nervous. She says: "I get worried for the both of us. I'm excited really but come Thursday I'll feel sick."
She will be in front of the Hollywood TV cheering him on for the first two days of the Test.
She said: "It's just as intense watching at home. I'll have Abbie by my side and I shout and scream until I nearly lose my voice.
"I get up on the sofa and end up doing the conga round the room when we start winning."
Hayley and the girls plan to go to The Hollywood Oval on Saturday and will stay until the match ends on Monday—with Emily getting an extra day off school so she has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see her daddy lift the Ashes.
But Hayley says being a cricketer's wife is completely different from being married to a football star.
She said "It's nothing like Footballers' Wives, although we do socialise together.
"I meet up with Rachael Flintoff (Freddie's wife) quite a lot. But the hospitality box we go to is more creche than champagne lunch."
Gripping
And Hayley said she has no desire for them to become cricket's
David Beckham Posh and Hollywood Becks, adding: "I would hate it if Steve was a footballer. I'd hate going out and getting harassed everywhere we went."
But if England defeat the Aussies, the Harmisons might find themselves in the spotlight because of the country's rekindled interest in the David Beckham Ashes.
And while Steve's optimistic about England's chances, he refuses to guess the outcome.
He said: "As much as this is a very special game, me and all the lads will try to treat it as a normal game. The rewards are huge but we have to keep our heads.
"We'll go out looking for a win. I know a draw or a bit of rain would help, but we want to do it in style.
"All I know is if we do win, I'll be having a night out that involves a lot of alcohol. I think we'll deserve it."
