'Poke the bear' at your peril
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (372510)
Rockingham, Australia
December 8, 2025 6:46pm CST
Australians love their cricket and the Ashes series are played out between England and Australia. In 1882, Australia won a match at the Oval, their first Test win on English soil.
A newspaper of the time stated that English cricket had died and that that "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”. A small urn supposedly holds the ashes of a wooden cricket ball. The Ashes series of five matches is held about every two years, alternating between England and Australia.
The Ashes are currently being held in Australia and, as usual, tensions are running high. I loved the headline which said something about England ‘pokiing the bear’. Whatever they said must have had an effect on the Australian team as they are trouncing the English at the moment. Be that as it may, what a great expression – to poke the bear.
The photo is mine but it looks like the site is having trouble with photos again. 
14 people like this
14 responses
@wolfgirl569 (130090)
• Marion, Ohio
9 Dec
@JudyEv People here need told not to poke buffalo too
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (372510)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Dec
@wolfgirl569 I can well imagine that would be a very bad idea. 
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (203388)
• United States
9 Dec
I would like to see a Cricket game sometime. I think there were leagues in Wash DC, but just like friends playing together in a club. It isn't a widely practiced sport here. Soccer as we call it is reasonably popular here though.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (12539)
• United States
9 Dec
I saw the post about Go Ask Alice talking about the bug again. I have had issues for days, but oddly, I can post some photos in comments. Just not in a discussion. That is a fun story. I watched a cricket game on a video once and so surprised it's not real active here.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (12539)
• United States
19 Dec
@JudyEv I just did and found his website. The first that popped up was the video. That one minute video gave me goose bumps. Something about his driving the team and the spattering in-between is spectacular and could tell his story. Thank you for this recommendation. I'm intrigued!
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17156)
• China
9 Dec
Out of curiosity, I look up the Ashes series and know where the Ashes name stems from.It is so interesting !
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17156)
• China
10 Dec
@JudyEv Here cricket isn't popular as ping-pong.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (372510)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Dec
@changjiangzhibin89 Oh yes, I've heard about how popular ping-pong is in China.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (83228)
• United States
9 Dec
That’s a humorous way for a trophy to be born. Personally, I like cricket!!!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (83228)
• United States
10 Dec
@JudyEv — it isn’t. We have baseball, which is a very modified version of cricket. But the similarities of the two and my love of baseball is probably why I do like cricket. 
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39558)
• Toccoa, Georgia
9 Dec
I have never watched Cricket. I'm not even sure of the rules of the game.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (94575)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Dec
I do like that expression and it can be altered to accomodate more stressful moment like never poke a sleeping bear 
1 person likes this
@sathviksouvik (22470)
•
10 Dec
there is only one concern the spectators might lose interest if England continue playing B grade cricket and Australia dominate the way they did in the first 2 tests. England's batting is hopeless and a single Root or Stokes are not matching Head, Smith, Labuchane. The bowling of England is hopeless with Carse, Atkinson failing in wickets where Starc Boland are bowling marvellously. Cricket is enjoyed where there is even contested matches. This England is disappointing playing worst than New Zealand, India, South Africa.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (372510)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Dec
Yes, that's very true and the association lost a lot of money when the first Test was over in two days. A lot of food was donated to charities but a lot was wasted too as food vendors had prepared for at least four days of match play.
@sathviksouvik (22470)
•
10 Dec
@JudyEv thanks Judy I feel the cricketers only have rights they dont have duties. But they should be made responsible may be match fees should be reducted
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (214620)
• United States
10 Dec
The photo bug is fixed. I, like Anna, have never seen a cricket match.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (372510)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Dec
@LindaOHio It doesn't worry me like it used to. I just think well, we'll just have to wait until it's fixed. 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (214620)
• United States
11 Dec
@JudyEv Yes, they need to have an exterminator come in. lol
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (4811)
• Northampton, England
9 Dec
Third test we will roar back ! Hazlewood out and Starc will be rested
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (372510)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Dec
Let's hope so. It would be nice if they could make a match of it.
@Dreamerby (9923)
• Calcutta, India
9 Dec
Oh Ashes series have always been something I watch without nervousness...mostly for the banter on field
1 person likes this
