Hoggie's Down Under Diary

In the first of a regular series, England cricket hero Matthew Hoggard gives his view on cricket, beer and life.

This week he reports from Down Under as the First Test against the Aussies kicks off.

So this is it, then - the Ashes roller-coaster is up and running all over again. After all the hype of the last few weeks since we arrived in Australia, most of us in the England squad feel that it's actually something of a relief when the cricket starts and the talking stops.

Of course, playing in front of 41,000 people for this first Test in Brisbane will give us our initial taste of a stadium full of Aussie fans. We have already been given an idea of what to expect, though, in some of our warm-up matches.

You wouldn't believe some of the Aussie spectators - for their own players, they just chant relentlessly: "Go Aussie, go Aussie, go!", or "Go McGrath, go McGrath, go!"

They only seem to have one tune and they just think up different words to fit in appropriately.

There have been a few other - more colourful - chants aimed in the direction of England players, but I'm not sure they're suitable for a respectable publication!

For some of the younger England lads who are on their first tour of Australia, it has been an eye-opener. But you soon get used to the banter.

You can see why we're so grateful to have the Barmy Army and hordes of other England fans following us around Australia - at least they can answer back on our behalf.

I know how happy the England supporters are to have Marston's as the official England beer, supplying some of the pubs out here with proper English ale.

It goes without saying that most of them will be having, shall we say, more than just the occasional drink on their way round Australia.

And it is perhaps not the best country for a real-ale connoisseur to tour, so well done to Marston's for providing our supporters with a much-needed decent pint.

We need them to be in good voice over the next few weeks!