I’ve just read over at the BBC Sport site that an Australian politician has written to Tony Blair requesting intelligence on “known sporting hooligans” prior to the Ashes series.

It seems that Morris Iemma, the Premier for New South Wales, is concerned that there is likely to be poor crowd behaviour at the matches which will “adversely impact the enjoyment of thousands of families who love cricket” and “reflect poorly on national reputations”.

He’s absolutely right, you know, although asking Tony Blair’s government for any kind of “intelligence” is like asking an Aussie for lessons in etiquette. Something has to be done about the lager swilling hooligans that will descend on Australian sporting venues over the coming months and Flintoffs Ashes has the answer.

Ban anyone with a mullet, a tache, a sister-wife or who refers to flip-flops as thongs. That should do the job.

Tags : Australia, Cricket, The Ashes, England, Barmy Army