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July 18

How is a Test series won?

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– Thanks to all answerers! ± Lenoxus (" *** ") 15:11, 19 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I've been following the Ashes for the first time, and I'm trying to figure out how the ultimate winner is determined -- the article The Ashes doesn't actually say, nor does Test cricket explain about Test series in general. Is it simply whichever side wins more matches than the other? If so, what would happen if one side won the first three matches-- would the teams bother playing the other two, since the outcome would be a foregone conclusion? And does the system for the Ashes apply to other international Test series? ± Lenoxus (" *** ") 19:10, 17 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

In any test series, the side winning the most Tests wins. If one side wins so many matches that they have won the series before all matches have been played, they still play the other matches although they are "dead rubbers". This system applies to all Cricket international series, and also to Rugby Union series such as the British Lions tours. --TammyMoet (talk) 19:26, 17 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Otherwise it would give the lie to what one of the Lords Mancroft said: Cricket - a game which the English, not being a spiritual people, have invented in order to give themselves some conception of eternity. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 19:45, 17 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

On a more practical note, a test series is a tour around the major cricket venues of the country. You can imagine that Yorkshire cricket fans wouldn't be best pleased if Australia decided not to play at Headingley just because they couldn't now win the series (hypothetically of course - the chances of England winning that easily seem rather remote). Alansplodge (talk) 23:20, 17 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Note also that the draw is a common result in test cricket. For the purpose of scoring test series, draws are not recorded on either team's score - so a five match series might finish 2-1 or 2-2 for instance. Another thing is that the Ashes is a form of 'challenge' tournament, in that the holders (currently England) will need to be defeated over the series by the challenger (Australia) for the trophy to change hands. In the case of a tied series (one win each and three draws, or two wins each and one draw) England will retain the trophy. Of course, the trophy is in actual fact always retained by England in the Long Room at Lord's, but that's another story. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 10:20, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Digressing momentarily to the title of the thread, which only mentioned Test series, it's worth noting that the Ashes is a special case of a Test series. Other series not between England and Australia tend not to have such a rigid adherence to the concept of a "trophy" that is retained by the holders if a series is drawn. They tend to be seen, at least by many fans, as one off events (that last for 25 days spread over a couple of months). But there is no doubt that right now England holds the Ashes. HiLo48 (talk) 10:38, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Not so much of a special case - there are other 'perpetual trophies'. International Cricket has a list, including the Frank Worrell Trophy (AUS-WI) and the Pataudi Trophy (ENG-IND). There is nowhere near the same 'buzz' around winning these trophies, though. The series are mostly regarded in isolation. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 10:45, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, that's a good way to describe it. HiLo48 (talk) 10:49, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Propaganda U2 official Magazine

Is the magazine subscription still available? And How can one subscribe to it? Miss Bono^[zootalk]^☆ 12:42, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I've had a look on their official website, and it appears that a printed magazine isn't still produced. However, if you pay a subscription fee you get access to special goodies on their website such as downloads etc. --TammyMoet (talk) 17:56, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. Miss Bono^[zootalk]^☆ 17:58, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Credits Song for 'The 4 Year Plan'

Dear WP, as the title suggests I'm trying to find the song which plays during the credits of 'The Four Year Plan' (a documentary about QPR football club). Googling what I can hear of the lyrics hasn't worked. Can anyone tell me either the song or which resources I am best searching to find out? Many thanks, 81.157.95.55 (talk) 15:47, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I think it's something by Rob Lord (musician). There's a playlist of those of his tracks used in the film here. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 17:06, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Perfect, the playlist even ends with "Credits Song". Thanks a lot. 81.157.95.55 (talk) 17:52, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]