Here's to a good innings for our pubs

I was once told that cricket mirrors the ups and downs of life. With the Ashes almost upon us, are there any pointers from Ashes history from which we can learn something?

The last quarter of 2008 for Britain's economy was the worst since the last quarter of 1980. Interesting — the summer after, you may recall, was Botham's Ashes. The 3-1 home Ashes success was followed by England Ashes success that lasted until 1989.

In 1989, the win ratio stood at Australia 87, to England's 86, with 74 draws. That year, however, England lost 4-0 and by 2005 the statistics stood at Australia 115 wins to England's 93. In that period, however, England only won one Test when the Ashes were at stake.

That period of the '80s was not mirrored in our industry as brewers sold off pubs and the Beer Orders report created havoc.

In 2005, the England team won a home Ashes series again (first since 1985) and, in boom 21st-century style, did their bit for our industry, pre and post Trafalgar Square. The less said about the overcooked optimism leading up to the first ball of the Brisbane Test and the 0-5 result Down Under the better. Or was this a clue as to what was coming economically?

As mentioned, the last quarter of the UK economy in 2008 was dire, and our industry had its share of problems. Projections for 2009 were hastily revised and yet it appears, anecdotally, lots of businesses are slightly ahead of these, which is good news. Nevertheless, our industry remains under fire from all angles, so we need an England win!

The level of Ashes optimism is both mixed and, given the climate, more muted on both sides. England does have a chance, though (even a recently retired blond leggie says so).

Test matches in the UK are the best supported in the world. Twenty20 is great and drags in new people, but the Ashes are virtually sold out. Our industry has fads, but we need to get our Test-match equivalent right and ensure our British pub and beer industry continues positively, and, if we do win this summer, we need to make sure we do not lose 5-0 in 18 months time.

Cricket, beer and pubs are core to British society. The England Ashes teams of the 1980s celebrated at least eight years of success. As an industry we need to build on our relatively positive start to 2009, and, if England can win the Ashes this summer in England (and Wales!), let's drink to three great British icons: cricket, pubs and British beer, and their success for at least eight years. Cheers!