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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Tony Abbott’s low-scoring over in the Ashes commentary box | Tony Abbott’s low-scoring over in the Ashes commentary box |
| (3 days later) | |
| He lasted but a single over and yet unleashed more cringe than Shane Warne’s entire Twitter feed. Prime minister Tony Abbott hit the Ashes commentary box on the first day of the last Ashes test, joining Mark “Tubby” Taylor and Michael “Slats” Slater in prime position over the SCG to shoot the breeze on the match, the England team and the state of his political leadership. | He lasted but a single over and yet unleashed more cringe than Shane Warne’s entire Twitter feed. Prime minister Tony Abbott hit the Ashes commentary box on the first day of the last Ashes test, joining Mark “Tubby” Taylor and Michael “Slats” Slater in prime position over the SCG to shoot the breeze on the match, the England team and the state of his political leadership. |
| The recently elected prime minister conceded that the jury “is still out on me” as the country’s leader when comparing his tenure to that of victorious Australian cricket captain and nation’s favourite Michael Clarke. The latest opinion polls would appear to back Abbott’s less than ringing endorsement of his own leadership. | The recently elected prime minister conceded that the jury “is still out on me” as the country’s leader when comparing his tenure to that of victorious Australian cricket captain and nation’s favourite Michael Clarke. The latest opinion polls would appear to back Abbott’s less than ringing endorsement of his own leadership. |
| As a man never to break with the populist demands of the nation, Abbott responded to a viewer poll proclaiming overwhelmingly that Tubby should indeed be given the keys to Kirribilli House. That was okay, Abbott said, so long as the big guy didn’t get the keys to the fridge too. | As a man never to break with the populist demands of the nation, Abbott responded to a viewer poll proclaiming overwhelmingly that Tubby should indeed be given the keys to Kirribilli House. That was okay, Abbott said, so long as the big guy didn’t get the keys to the fridge too. |
| And then it happened. A wicket in the 29th over. George Bailey fell to Stuart Broad caught at slip by Alastair Cook. | And then it happened. A wicket in the 29th over. George Bailey fell to Stuart Broad caught at slip by Alastair Cook. |
| Abbott was full of praise, describing the England captain leading one of the weakest Ashes performances in recent decades as an “extremely stylish man in every sense”. Ever the diplomat. | Abbott was full of praise, describing the England captain leading one of the weakest Ashes performances in recent decades as an “extremely stylish man in every sense”. Ever the diplomat. |
| The talk turned to budgie smugglers, no doubt a reference to Abbott’s entirely authentic, accidental interview on Channel Ten earlier this morning. The bemused PM had stood dutifully as he was interviewed, (“I’ve been sprung!” he protested) on the beach at Queenscliff surf club after enjoying a morning riding the waves. | |
| Dripping wet, chest hair soaked, the prime minister stood in aforementioned budgie smugglers and told Channel Ten viewers of his new year’s resolution to “be the best I can be” and vowed to get in at least a few more surfs before the end of January. | |
| The over ended and Abbott made it clear he’d like to come back to the commentary box when the baggy green were fielding. It wasn’t clear if Tubby and Slats were keen on the idea. | The over ended and Abbott made it clear he’d like to come back to the commentary box when the baggy green were fielding. It wasn’t clear if Tubby and Slats were keen on the idea. |
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