Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
17 September 2007
Aussie soldiers claim 'Desert Ashes'
The Darwin-based Aussies thrashed a British Army cricket team by 9 wickets and 11 overs to claim the 'Desert Ashes' urn, a replica of the Ashes trophy.
The plucky Australians bowled the Brits out for 92 runs in just 15 overs, and needed only 55 balls for the loss of one wicket to clinch the 'Desert Ashes' urn.
The 'Desert Ashes' was played at the Australian Camp Terendak in southern Iraq, on Friday 14 September.
The match involved the best 11 from the Australian Overwatch Battle Group (West)-Three, and cricketers from the British Army's 1st Brigade (Forward) based at Basrah.
The Australians played in the Official One Day International strip thanks to Cricket Australia which donated uniforms especially for the campaign.
The Brits were one wicket down for no runs after two deliveries from pace-man Captain Marco De Freitis, of 5 RAR in Darwin. Captain De Freitis finished with 4 wickets for 12 runs.
Commanding Officer of the OBG(W)-3, Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood, joked that the match was the first time that an Australian Battle Group of 515 personnel had routed a British Brigade of 5000.
Sportsmanship was a feature of the match that was played in stifling heat that reached 44 degrees celsius.
More than 600 Coalitiion soldiers watched the game, that raised US$10,000 for local charities.
The Desert Ashes is an annual cricket event staged by the Australian and British armies in southern Iraq.
Approximately 515 personnel, drawn mostly from Darwin's 1st Brigade, make up the Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Three (OBG(W)-3).
The battle group is helping the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Provincial Governments build a secure and stable Iraq.
| 20070914army8500215_ 022 Mascot for the Australian Battle Group 'Terry the Tiger' cheers the Australian team to victory in the 'Desert Ashes' won by the Aussies in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 027 Mascot for the Australian Battle Group Terry the Tiger consoles a British batsman who was bowled for a duck in the 'Desert Ashes', won by the Aussies in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 031 Australian fielders crowd around the last British batsman during the 'Desert Ashes' won by Australia in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 052 Australian fieldsmen scramble for the ball during the 'Desert Ashes' won by Australia in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 057 Australian slip fieldsmen successfully appeal for a caught-behind during the 'Desert Ashes' won by Australia in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 071 Corporal James Thompson hits a six in the 'Desert Ashes' match won by Australia in convincing fashion in southern Iraq on Friday 14th September. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 077 Corporal James Thompson hits a six in the 'Desert Ashes' match won by Australia in southern Iraq. Corporal Thompson, of 5 Royal Australian Regiment based in Darwin, was caught after smashing 34 runs in 5 overs. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 110 The triumphant Australian and vanquished British Army cricket teams pose with the 'Desert Ashes' in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 130 The triumphant Australian and vanquished British Army cricket teams pose with the 'Desert Ashes' in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 135 The victorious Australian team pose with the 'Desert Ashes' after defeating a British Army cricket team by 9 wickets and 11 overs. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 138 The victorious captain of an Australian Army cricket team, Sergeant William Ross and vice-captain Trooper Robert Lavendar, raise the 'Desert Ashes' after crushing England in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070914army8500215_ 139 The victorious captain of an Australian Army cricket team, Sergeant William Ross and vice-captain Trooper Robert Lavendar, raise the 'Desert Ashes' after crushing England in southern Iraq. (Date taken: 14 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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