Biggest sporting event...the 2005 Ashes or the 2005 Lions tour??

[Swervy]

Most were optimistic they would wineasily against them. Atleast that is what was reflected before the series. It turned out to be a close, very good series.

I think the scoreline flattered SA a bit to be honest!!!!

I think the Ashes will receive more attention from sports fans in general in the UK...well in England at least

 

[BoyBrumby]

I'd say it's a tough call; The Ashes will garner more coverage because it's on terrestrial telly (for maybe the last time ever) and there'll be (probably) 20+ days of sporting action, but The Lions tours are pretty special if you're a Rugby Union fan (& I am).

The Lions only tour every 4 years, so visit one of the SH giants only every 12 years. That, in a way, makes them special events. For 99% of current All Blacks this will be their one & only chance to take on The Lions. For The Lions? Well it's their shot at immortality. Only once have they won a series in NZ; that's a lot of history to overcome.

I know without looking it up that The Lions won in 1971 2-1 with the 4th test drawn, I'm afraid I'd have to look up The 1971 Ashes result. So I guess there's your answer: The Lions tour for me.

 

[Swervy]

an indication of the interest in the cricket this coming summer:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4465823.stm

 

[superkingdave]

yeah there's a pair on Ebay at Lords second day for £485, Oval ones for about £250 and even Old Trafford ones 150 a pair even though tickets haven't been sent out yet (i haven't got mine!).

Its a bit strange that Surrey have apparently sold 5th day tickets though, i thought that didnt happen these days?

 

[Swervy]

yeah there's a pair on Ebay at Lords second day for £485, Oval ones for about £250 and even Old Trafford ones 150 a pair even though tickets haven't been sent out yet (i haven't got mine!).

Its a bit strange that Surrey have apparently sold 5th day tickets though, i thought that didnt happen these days?

Last day of an Ashes series...could be the deciding day (prob not though)...they are just cashing in

 

[Zinzan]

I'd say it's a tough call; The Ashes will garner more coverage because it's on terrestrial telly (for maybe the last time ever) and there'll be (probably) 20+ days of sporting action, but The Lions tours are pretty special if you're a Rugby Union fan (& I am).

The Lions only tour every 4 years, so visit one of the SH giants only every 12 years. That, in a way, makes them special events. For 99% of current All Blacks this will be their one & only chance to take on The Lions. For The Lions? Well it's their shot at immortality. Only once have they won a series in NZ; that's a lot of history to overcome.

I know without looking it up that The Lions won in 1971 2-1 with the 4th test drawn, I'm afraid I'd have to look up The 1971 Ashes result. So I guess there's your answer: The Lions tour for me.

Are you going to try and get tickets for the rugby Brumby?

 

[psxpro]

Easily the Lions for me. I couldn't give a stuff about the ashes if i only had to choose 1.

It will be far more intersting and exciting than a ashes seires that is played every year and is way too predictable.

Overall the lions will be bigger than the ashes imo, maybe not in england but overall it will be as rugby is followed in more countires than cricket and this is for me the most exciting rugby tour.

 

[Zinzan]

Easily the Lions for me. I couldn't give a stuff about the ashes if i only had to choose 1.

It will be far more intersting and exciting than a ashes seires that is played every year and is way too predictable.

Overall the lions will be bigger than the ashes imo, maybe not in england but overall it will be as rugby is followed in more countires than cricket and this is for me the most exciting rugby tour.

Just a couple of observations psxpro.....

The ashes aren't played every year at all and this is clearly the most anticipated series for at least a decade.

Your right that Rugby is played by more countries, but as far as populations following the sport, i'd say cricket would have millions more followers, simply because of the number of fans in Asian countries such as India and Pakistan. Remember India has around 1 billion people on its own.

I can't say I'm suprised that a fellow kiwi would be more hyped up about the Lions V All Blacks than Aussie V Eng in cricket. Thats why I was particularly interested in the British Perspective.

 

[psxpro]

Just a couple of observations psxpro.....

The ashes aren't played every year at all and this is clearly the most anticipated series for at least a decade.

Your right that Rugby is played by more countries, but as far as populations following the sport, i'd say cricket would have millions more followers, simply because of the number of fans in Asian countries such as India and Pakistan. Remember India has around 1 billion people on its own.

I can't say I'm suprised that a fellow kiwi would be more hyped up about the Lions V All Blacks than Aussie V Eng in cricket. Thats why I was particularly interested in the British Perspective.

Sure , cricket has more by population but would you say that it means its bigger?

I heard the rugby world cup was the 4rth biggest sporting event in the world and cricket wasn't part of the 4.

I actually think a lions tour is more interesting than a world cup because its a proper tour and those are non-exsistant in rugby now.
Also the result is so unknown.

With the ashes I think it a all time great side playing a good england team. I think its pretty predictable.

 

[Sir Redman]

Sure , cricket has more by population but would you say that it means its bigger?

I heard the rugby world cup was the 4rth biggest sporting event in the world and cricket wasn't part of the 4.

I think you'll find that rugby is not actually that big in the rest of the world. Really, only in NZ and South Africa are the majority of the sporting public interested in rugby. Even in Australia you'd be suprised at the lack of interest in rugby union - one of the reasons why they don't have an equivalent of the NPC. In England many people just jumped on the bandwagon at the 2003 World Cup, and now that they look hopeless again interest will dwindle.

It's fairly obvious that in NZ the Lions will be bigger than the Ashes, but globally the Ashes are probably far more important.

 

[psxpro]

I don't think so, rugby is popular in many places where as with cricket its either love it or hate it.
Either the country loves cricket or hates it.
with rugby there are many countires where there is a big fan base but not enough to take over from other sports in that country.

 

[aussie]

the ashes without doubt

 

[aussie]

for the rugby union fans the lions tour will be bigger for them while cricket fans the ashes will be bigger, especially up here in manchester you dont hear much folks talking about the lion's tour its all about cricket & the odd football chat

 

[JBH001]

The Lions Tour for me - no question.
Though I am a bit biased being a New Zealander.

I really couldnt give a toss about an over hyped contest (English dreams and Media wishes notwithstanding) like The Ashes.
Especially when it has been so one sided since 1989.

In either case, the English are going to get slaughtered.

 

[Pratters]

I think the scoreline flattered SA a bit to be honest!!!!

Not at all from a south african perspective.

 

[Pratters]

The title reads biggest sporting event.

Can some one explain how the ashes or lions wuold be bigger than the champions league with two english clubs in the semis and all the excitement when one of them plays in the finals with the prospect of winning?

 

[marc71178]

Not at all from a south african perspective.

Only a one-eyed SA perspective.

 

[Pratters]

Only a one-eyed SA perspective.

Coming from an English fan who has had a lot of perspective.

 

[Swervy]

Not at all from a south african perspective.

what does it matter whose perspective it was

 

[BoyBrumby]

Are you going to try and get tickets for the rugby Brumby?

If I were single I probably would; I'd love to go & follow the tour. Unfortunately I can't see the other half being too overjoyed on me pi$$ing away £2 or £3k on a Rugger jolly!

If Leicester make it to the final of the Heineken I'm hoping I can beat her up into letting me go to Edinburgh to watch it.