Conquer Australia and Joe Root will join the Ashes immortals

Sudip C. (India)
This is what I call excellent reporting in sports! This is why I love Simon Briggs so much! Sports reporting is a dying art now. I hope more reporters like Simon will come and take sports reporting to new heights....
Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2017/11/19/conquer-australia-joe-root-will-join-ashes-immortals/
217 words 4 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. emollient
    a substance with a soothing effect when applied to the skin
    Illingworth and Hutton were abrasive Yorkshiremen, while Brearley was an urbane, emollient Londoner with a Cambridge degree.
  2. befuddled
    perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
    The “bosie” would later be renamed the googly, but not before it had befuddled Australian batsmen from Brisbane to Hobart.
  3. unrepentant
    not feeling or expressing remorse
    Chapman was a hale and hearty character, who declined into an unrepentant boozehound later in life.
  4. abrasive
    causing irritation or erosion by friction
    Illingworth and Hutton were abrasive Yorkshiremen, while Brearley was an urbane, emollient Londoner with a Cambridge degree.
  5. aphorism
    a short pithy instructive saying
    "Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill,” said Richie Benaud, in one of his most famous aphorisms.
  6. disingenuous
    not straightforward or candid
    Len Hutton, a man of few words and even fewer Hs, introduced himself to Australian reporters in 1954-55 with a disingenuous claim.
  7. impish
    naughtily or annoyingly playful
    In fact, that impish expression is slightly deceptive, for he will be 27 next month.
  8. daunting
    discouraging through fear
    Still, if crossing the Outback on a donkey was a daunting prospect, facing Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins over 25 days of Test cricket cannot be far behind.
  9. firebrand
    a piece of wood that has been burned or is burning
    Unfortunately, Root does not possess a fast-bowling firebrand to match Larwood, Tyson or Snow.
  10. prescient
    perceiving the significance of events before they occur
    As diplomatic cables thrummed between Melbourne and London, the whole affair echoed the uncannily prescient prediction made by Jardine’s school cricket master, Rockley Wilson, before the series: “He might well win us the Ashes, but he might lose us a Dominion.”
  11. stripling
    a person who is older than 12 but younger than 20
    He feels like a stripling when compared to the gallery of legends listed above, as fresh-faced as a chorister reporting for Matins.
  12. unscathed
    not injured
    How about the John McDouall Stuart expedition of 1861, in which a group of 10 men crossed the mainland from south to north, then returned unscathed?
  13. puritan
    someone who adheres to strict religious principles
    Jardine had the burning zeal of a puritan preacher.
  14. blueprint
    something intended as a guide for making something else
    Had Ben Stokes been available, England could have tried to emulate the 1986-87 blueprint, in which a tight-knit and consistent attack was inspired to victory by the charisma of a barnstorming all-rounder.
  15. commensurate
    corresponding in size or degree or extent
    On the bright side, the rewards are commensurate with the challenge.
  16. charisma
    personal attractiveness that enables you to influence others
    Had Ben Stokes been available, England could have tried to emulate the 1986-87 blueprint, in which a tight-knit and consistent attack was inspired to victory by the charisma of a barnstorming all-rounder.
  17. subversive
    in opposition to an established system or government
    Like the googly, this tactic felt like a subversive attack on cricket’s orthodoxies.
  18. denude
    make bare or strip of a covering
    In Brearley’s case, he was up against a denuded, Packerised Australia side team who had lost their best players to World Series Cricket.
  19. hale
    exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health
    Chapman was a hale and hearty character, who declined into an unrepentant boozehound later in life.
  20. urbane
    showing a high degree of refinement
    Illingworth and Hutton were abrasive Yorkshiremen, while Brearley was an urbane, emollient Londoner with a Cambridge degree.
  21. cricket
    leaping insect with long antennae
    Still, if crossing the Outback on a donkey was a daunting prospect, facing Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins over 25 days of Test cricket cannot be far behind.
  22. fauna
    all the animal life in a particular region or period
    Even if you survive the heat and the barrenness, the uniquely venomous local fauna will probably finish you off.
  23. defining
    the process of determining the form or meaning of something
    It was a unique example of an English batsman defining the state of play Down Under.
  24. deceptive
    deliberately designed to mislead
    In fact, that impish expression is slightly deceptive, for he will be 27 next month.
  25. venomous
    extremely poisonous or injurious
    Even if you survive the heat and the barrenness, the uniquely venomous local fauna will probably finish you off.
  26. orthodoxy
    the quality of adhering to what is commonly accepted
    Like the googly, this tactic felt like a subversive attack on cricket’s orthodoxies.
  27. wayward
    resistant to guidance or discipline
    In the 1930s, his name was used to frighten wayward children, for he was the human slingshot who turned Jardine’s “Bodyline” into an irresistible force.
  28. scurry
    move about or proceed hurriedly
    The ensuing hail of bottles and beer cans sent both teams scurrying from the field.
  29. tactical
    pertaining to detailed maneuvers to achieve objectives
    We are talking about strong men here, outstanding leaders in both the tactical and human sense.
  30. kangaroo
    a leaping marsupial with powerful hind legs and a thick tail
    But when the situation called for it, they were all ready to step on the kangaroo’s throat.
  31. urn
    a large vase that usually has a pedestal or feet
    Still, should Root somehow come home with the urn, he will be the youngest man to lead a successful Ashes tour Down Under, undercutting Chapman’s record of 28.
  32. halo
    a circle of light around the sun or moon
    The halo effect can transform a man’s reputation.
  33. explorer
    someone who travels to unknown regions to make discoveries
    Australia is an unforgiving land, as a generation of 19th-century explorers discovered.
  34. elusive
    skillful at evading capture
    Lady Luck has been maddeningly elusive to date.
  35. tally
    the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
    As it is, they might be better off looking at the Chapman tour, when Wally Hammond compiled a Bradmanesque tally of 905 runs.
  36. uncanny
    surpassing the ordinary or normal
    As diplomatic cables thrummed between Melbourne and London, the whole affair echoed the uncannily prescient prediction made by Jardine’s school cricket master, Rockley Wilson, before the series: “He might well win us the Ashes, but he might lose us a Dominion.”
  37. warmly
    in a manner having a comfortable degree of heat
    Mike Gatting is warmly remembered despite winning only two Ashes Tests Credit: Adrian Murrell
  38. ensuing
    following immediately and as a result of what went before
    The ensuing hail of bottles and beer cans sent both teams scurrying from the field.
  39. tour
    a route all the way around a particular place or area
    Conquer Australia and Joe Root will join the Ashes immortals by Simon Briggs 19 November 2017 from telegraph.co.uk (Joe Root embarks on his first Ashes tour as captain)
  40. disciplined
    exhibiting self-control and obeying the rules
    To make up for all the absentees, Root will probably have to rewrite the playbook by piling up three centuries himself – a feat never achieved by an English captain in Australia – and applying scoreboard pressure via a disciplined attack.
  41. emulate
    strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
    Had Ben Stokes been available, England could have tried to emulate the 1986-87 blueprint, in which a tight-knit and consistent attack was inspired to victory by the charisma of a barnstorming all-rounder.
  42. executioner
    an official who inflicts capital punishment
    To succeed in Australia, a captain must establish some sort of relationship with their chief executioner, the man who actually fires the bullets.
  43. flinch
    draw back, as with fear or pain
    Batting on a “sticky dog” at the Oval, Bradman had flinched away from a Larwood lifter.
  44. streak
    a narrow marking of a different color from the background
    The nine names listed above had one thing in common: a ruthless streak.
  45. unique
    the single one of its kind
    Even if you survive the heat and the barrenness, the uniquely venomous local fauna will probably finish you off.
  46. evaporate
    change into gas or steam
    Any doubt over the quality of England’s attack evaporated after Ray Lindwall foolishly felled the barrel-chested Tyson with a bouncer in the second Test, sending him to hospital with a bump on his head that could reportedly be seen from 100 yards away.
  47. rebellious
    resisting control or authority
    Despite being the son of a Worcestershire vicar, as well as a published poet, Snow had a rebellious, anti-authoritarian streak that Barnes might have recognised.
  48. drought
    a shortage of rainfall
    Twelve years is the normal interval between triumphs, although Strauss broke a 24-year drought.
  49. outstanding
    of major significance or importance
    We are talking about strong men here, outstanding leaders in both the tactical and human sense.
  50. spade
    hand shovel that can be pushed into the earth with the foot
    The quote applies in spades to the nine England captains who have won Ashes series in Australia since the start of the 20th century.
  51. ruthless
    without mercy or pity
    The nine names listed above had one thing in common: a ruthless streak.
  52. prediction
    a statement made about the future
    As diplomatic cables thrummed between Melbourne and London, the whole affair echoed the uncannily prescient prediction made by Jardine’s school cricket master, Rockley Wilson, before the series: “He might well win us the Ashes, but he might lose us a Dominion.”
  53. pore
    any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid
    Poring through Pathé News footage of the 1930 Ashes must have been demoralising at first, as he watched Don Bradman assemble his historic total of 974 runs at an average of 139.
  54. shifting
    changing position or direction
    In at least three cases, this was an express-pace bowler who could plunder wickets at the same time as shifting the emotional temperature of a match.
  55. perspective
    a way of regarding situations or topics
    The ultimate bogeyman – from an Australian perspective – will always be Harold Larwood.
  56. vicar
    a Catholic priest who acts for a higher-ranking clergyman
    Despite being the son of a Worcestershire vicar, as well as a published poet, Snow had a rebellious, anti-authoritarian streak that Barnes might have recognised.
  57. bounce
    spring back; spring away from an impact
    Any doubt over the quality of England’s attack evaporated after Ray Lindwall foolishly felled the barrel-chested Tyson with a bouncer in the second Test, sending him to hospital with a bump on his head that could reportedly be seen from 100 yards away.
  58. trigger
    lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun
    In Melbourne, he triggered a riot by drawing blood from the scalp of tailender Terry Jenner.
  59. disadvantage
    the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
    On the two bounciest pitches, in Perth and Brisbane, such a disadvantage is usually fatal.
  60. compile
    get or gather together
    As it is, they might be better off looking at the Chapman tour, when Wally Hammond compiled a Bradmanesque tally of 905 runs.
  61. series
    similar things placed in order or one after another
    The quote applies in spades to the nine England captains who have won Ashes series in Australia since the start of the 20th century.
  62. hatch
    a movable barrier covering an entrance
    Jardine hatched his plot after the first recorded session of video analysis.
  63. feat
    a notable achievement
    To make up for all the absentees, Root will probably have to rewrite the playbook by piling up three centuries himself – a feat never achieved by an English captain in Australia – and applying scoreboard pressure via a disciplined attack.
  64. maximum
    the greatest or most complete or best possible
    Yet those two were timed for maximum impact, coming as they did at Brisbane and Melbourne in 1986.
  65. average
    an intermediate scale value regarded as normal or usual
    Especially as it only happens – on average – once every three trips.
  66. choir
    a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
    He feels like a stripling when compared to the gallery of legends listed above, as fresh-faced as a chorister reporting for Matins.
  67. irresistible
    impossible to withstand; overpowering
    In the 1930s, his name was used to frighten wayward children, for he was the human slingshot who turned Jardine’s “Bodyline” into an irresistible force.
  68. historic
    belonging to the past
    Poring through Pathé News footage of the 1930 Ashes must have been demoralising at first, as he watched Don Bradman assemble his historic total of 974 runs at an average of 139.
  69. barren
    completely wanting or lacking
    Even if you survive the heat and the barrenness, the uniquely venomous local fauna will probably finish you off.
  70. threshold
    the starting point for a new state or experience
    This is the threshold on which Joe Root now stands.
  71. tactic
    a plan for attaining a particular goal
    Like the googly, this tactic felt like a subversive attack on cricket’s orthodoxies.
  72. plunder
    steal goods; take as spoils
    In at least three cases, this was an express-pace bowler who could plunder wickets at the same time as shifting the emotional temperature of a match.
  73. attack
    an offensive against an enemy
    Like the googly, this tactic felt like a subversive attack on cricket’s orthodoxies.
  74. emotional
    of or pertaining to feelings
    In at least three cases, this was an express-pace bowler who could plunder wickets at the same time as shifting the emotional temperature of a match.
  75. ban
    prohibit especially by law or social pressure
    Unlike the googly, it would be banned within three years.
  76. apply
    employ for a particular purpose
    The quote applies in spades to the nine England captains who have won Ashes series in Australia since the start of the 20th century.
  77. embark
    go on board
    Conquer Australia and Joe Root will join the Ashes immortals by Simon Briggs 19 November 2017 from telegraph.co.uk (Joe Root embarks on his first Ashes tour as captain)
  78. equivalent
    being essentially comparable to something
    But they are both into their final acts, and are probably giving away around 15mph between them to their Australian equivalents, Starc and Cummins.
  79. victory
    a successful ending of a struggle or contest
    Gatting’s captaincy record stands at just two victories from 23 Tests.
  80. impact
    the striking of one body against another
    Yet those two were timed for maximum impact, coming as they did at Brisbane and Melbourne in 1986.
  81. riot
    a state of disorder involving group violence
    In Melbourne, he triggered a riot by drawing blood from the scalp of tailender Terry Jenner.
  82. diplomatic
    relating to negotiation between nations
    As diplomatic cables thrummed between Melbourne and London, the whole affair echoed the uncannily prescient prediction made by Jardine’s school cricket master, Rockley Wilson, before the series: “He might well win us the Ashes, but he might lose us a Dominion.”
  83. boundary
    the line indicating the limit or extent of something
    When he returned, Tyson bowled with such extreme pace that the slips had to retreat halfway to the boundary.
  84. skill
    an ability that has been acquired by training
    "Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill,” said Richie Benaud, in one of his most famous aphorisms.
  85. unfortunately
    by bad luck
    Unfortunately, Root does not possess a fast-bowling firebrand to match Larwood, Tyson or Snow.
  86. analysis
    abstract separation of something into its various parts
    Jardine hatched his plot after the first recorded session of video analysis.
  87. session
    a meeting for execution of a group's functions
    Jardine hatched his plot after the first recorded session of video analysis.
  88. cross
    a marking that consists of lines that intersect each other
    Still, if crossing the Outback on a donkey was a daunting prospect, facing Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins over 25 days of Test cricket cannot be far behind.
  89. match
    a formal contest in which people or teams compete
    In at least three cases, this was an express-pace bowler who could plunder wickets at the same time as shifting the emotional temperature of a match.
  90. cable
    a very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire
    As diplomatic cables thrummed between Melbourne and London, the whole affair echoed the uncannily prescient prediction made by Jardine’s school cricket master, Rockley Wilson, before the series: “He might well win us the Ashes, but he might lose us a Dominion.”
  91. conspire
    act in agreement and in secret towards a deceitful purpose
    Thus far, events have conspired against Root.
  92. hail
    precipitation of ice pellets
    The ensuing hail of bottles and beer cans sent both teams scurrying from the field.
  93. relationship
    a mutual connection between people
    To succeed in Australia, a captain must establish some sort of relationship with their chief executioner, the man who actually fires the bullets.
  94. temperature
    the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment
    In at least three cases, this was an express-pace bowler who could plunder wickets at the same time as shifting the emotional temperature of a match.
  95. transform
    change or alter in appearance or nature
    The halo effect can transform a man’s reputation.
  96. bullet
    a projectile that is fired from a gun
    To succeed in Australia, a captain must establish some sort of relationship with their chief executioner, the man who actually fires the bullets.
  97. immortal
    not subject to death
    Conquer Australia and Joe Root will join the Ashes immortals by Simon Briggs 19 November 2017 from telegraph.co.uk (Joe Root embarks on his first Ashes tour as captain)
  98. inspired
    of surpassing excellence
    Had Ben Stokes been available, England could have tried to emulate the 1986-87 blueprint, in which a tight-knit and consistent attack was inspired to victory by the charisma of a barnstorming all-rounder.
  99. record
    anything providing permanent evidence about past events
    Gatting’s captaincy record stands at just two victories from 23 Tests.
  100. necessarily
    in such a manner as could not be otherwise
    They do not necessarily have to like this fellow.
  101. mutual
    common to or shared by two or more parties
    But some sort of mutual understanding, a sense of confidence in each other’s work, is essential.
  102. zeal
    a feeling of strong eagerness
    Jardine had the burning zeal of a puritan preacher.
  103. consistent
    the same throughout in structure or composition
    Had Ben Stokes been available, England could have tried to emulate the 1986-87 blueprint, in which a tight-knit and consistent attack was inspired to victory by the charisma of a barnstorming all-rounder.
  104. resent
    feel bitter or indignant about
    Indeed, Archie MacLaren (who captained the 1902-03 tour to defeat) resented his ill-tempered spearhead Sydney Barnes enormously.
  105. successful
    having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
    Still, should Root somehow come home with the urn, he will be the youngest man to lead a successful Ashes tour Down Under, undercutting Chapman’s record of 28.
  106. toss
    throw with a light motion
    Australian captain Bill Lawry Ray Illingworth at the the toss for the Third Test in Melbourne, 1971 Credit: Getty Images
  107. decent
    socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
    Jake Ball, Steven Finn, Mark Wood – you could field a decent attack from those lying in the sick bay.
  108. legend
    a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
    He feels like a stripling when compared to the gallery of legends listed above, as fresh-faced as a chorister reporting for Matins.
  109. probably
    with considerable certainty; without much doubt
    Even if you survive the heat and the barrenness, the uniquely venomous local fauna will probably finish you off.
  110. chap
    a boy or man
    “Got a chap called [Frank] Tyson but you won’t ’ave ’eard of ’im because ’e’s ’ardly played.”
  111. examination
    the act of scrutinizing something closely (as for mistakes)
    They had to be, because they were putting themselves through one of the toughest examinations in sport.
  112. gallery
    a porch along the outside of a building
    He feels like a stripling when compared to the gallery of legends listed above, as fresh-faced as a chorister reporting for Matins.
  113. ultimate
    furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
    The ultimate bogeyman – from an Australian perspective – will always be Harold Larwood.
  114. reporter
    a person who investigates or communicates news stories
    Len Hutton, a man of few words and even fewer Hs, introduced himself to Australian reporters in 1954-55 with a disingenuous claim.
  115. situation
    physical position in relation to the surroundings
    But when the situation called for it, they were all ready to step on the kangaroo’s throat.
  116. difficult
    requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish
    “Unkind people said that I ‘ran’ Bosanquet into this team because he was a friend of mine,” wrote Warner in his book, “[but] when he gets a length he is, on hard wickets, about the most difficult bowler there is.”
  117. miracle
    a marvelous event brought about by a divine being
    Yet miracles do happen in Australia.
  118. interval
    the distance between things
    Twelve years is the normal interval between triumphs, although Strauss broke a 24-year drought.
  119. hearty
    showing warm and sincere friendliness
    Chapman was a hale and hearty character, who declined into an unrepentant boozehound later in life.
  120. plot
    a small area of ground covered by specific vegetation
    Jardine hatched his plot after the first recorded session of video analysis.
  121. fatal
    bringing death
    On the two bounciest pitches, in Perth and Brisbane, such a disadvantage is usually fatal.
  122. reputation
    the general estimation that the public has for a person
    The halo effect can transform a man’s reputation.
  123. enormous
    extraordinarily large in size or extent or degree
    Indeed, Archie MacLaren (who captained the 1902-03 tour to defeat) resented his ill-tempered spearhead Sydney Barnes enormously.
  124. retreat
    the act of withdrawing or going backward
    When he returned, Tyson bowled with such extreme pace that the slips had to retreat halfway to the boundary.
  125. assemble
    create by putting components or members together
    Poring through Pathé News footage of the 1930 Ashes must have been demoralising at first, as he watched Don Bradman assemble his historic total of 974 runs at an average of 139.
  126. available
    obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service
    Had Ben Stokes been available, England could have tried to emulate the 1986-87 blueprint, in which a tight-knit and consistent attack was inspired to victory by the charisma of a barnstorming all-rounder.
  127. pile
    a collection of objects laid on top of each other
    To make up for all the absentees, Root will probably have to rewrite the playbook by piling up three centuries himself – a feat never achieved by an English captain in Australia – and applying scoreboard pressure via a disciplined attack.
  128. foolish
    lacking good sense or judgment
    Any doubt over the quality of England’s attack evaporated after Ray Lindwall foolishly felled the barrel-chested Tyson with a bouncer in the second Test, sending him to hospital with a bump on his head that could reportedly be seen from 100 yards away.
  129. normal
    being approximately average or within certain limits
    Twelve years is the normal interval between triumphs, although Strauss broke a 24-year drought.
  130. ball
    an object with a spherical shape
    His name was Bernard Bosanquet, and he had come up with a new way of spinning a ball out of the back of the hand while playing a parlour game called Twisti-Twosti.
  131. expedition
    an organized group of people undertaking a journey
    How about the John McDouall Stuart expedition of 1861, in which a group of 10 men crossed the mainland from south to north, then returned unscathed?
  132. explanation
    making something understandable
    Today, Gatting is remembered more warmly than many leaders with better stats, and the explanation must lie in that hell-raising, party-till-we-drop tour.
  133. frighten
    cause fear in
    In the 1930s, his name was used to frighten wayward children, for he was the human slingshot who turned Jardine’s “Bodyline” into an irresistible force.
  134. prospect
    the possibility of future success
    Still, if crossing the Outback on a donkey was a daunting prospect, facing Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins over 25 days of Test cricket cannot be far behind.
  135. understanding
    the condition of someone who knows and comprehends
    But some sort of mutual understanding, a sense of confidence in each other’s work, is essential.
  136. survive
    continue in existence after
    Even if you survive the heat and the barrenness, the uniquely venomous local fauna will probably finish you off.
  137. achieve
    gain with effort
    To make up for all the absentees, Root will probably have to rewrite the playbook by piling up three centuries himself – a feat never achieved by an English captain in Australia – and applying scoreboard pressure via a disciplined attack.
  138. century
    a period of 100 years
    The quote applies in spades to the nine England captains who have won Ashes series in Australia since the start of the 20th century.
  139. injury
    physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident
    To make the Stokes situation worse, the roll call of injuries among the seamers is longer than Paul Hollywood’s shopping list.
  140. challenge
    a call to engage in a contest or fight
    On the bright side, the rewards are commensurate with the challenge.
  141. leader
    a person who rules or guides or inspires others
    We are talking about strong men here, outstanding leaders in both the tactical and human sense.
  142. conquer
    take possession of by force, as after an invasion
    Conquer Australia and Joe Root will join the Ashes immortals by Simon Briggs 19 November 2017 from telegraph.co.uk (Joe Root embarks on his first Ashes tour as captain)
  143. pace
    the relative speed of progress or change
    When he returned, Tyson bowled with such extreme pace that the slips had to retreat halfway to the boundary.
  144. reward
    compensation for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
    On the bright side, the rewards are commensurate with the challenge.
  145. pitch
    the high or low quality of a sound
    On the two bounciest pitches, in Perth and Brisbane, such a disadvantage is usually fatal.
  146. essential
    basic and fundamental
    But some sort of mutual understanding, a sense of confidence in each other’s work, is essential.
  147. quote
    repeat a passage from
    The quote applies in spades to the nine England captains who have won Ashes series in Australia since the start of the 20th century.
  148. pressure
    the act of putting pressure on something
    To make up for all the absentees, Root will probably have to rewrite the playbook by piling up three centuries himself – a feat never achieved by an English captain in Australia – and applying scoreboard pressure via a disciplined attack.
  149. root
    underground plant organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes
    Root’s mission is scarcely less difficult.
  150. weapon
    any instrument used in fighting or hunting
    Warner had a secret weapon in 1903-04.
  151. defeat
    an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
    Indeed, Archie MacLaren (who captained the 1902-03 tour to defeat) resented his ill-tempered spearhead Sydney Barnes enormously.
  152. generation
    group of genetically related organisms in a line of descent
    Australia is an unforgiving land, as a generation of 19th-century explorers discovered.
  153. section
    one of several parts or pieces that fit with others
    During a particularly rough section of the three-month sea crossing, he harrumphed: “At least if we go down we’ll take that bugger Barnes down with us.”
  154. preach
    deliver a sermon
    Jardine had the burning zeal of a puritan preacher.
  155. decline
    grow worse
    Chapman was a hale and hearty character, who declined into an unrepentant boozehound later in life.
  156. hero
    someone who fights for a cause
    Win an Ashes series in England and you are a hero; win one Down Under and you are made for life.
  157. putt
    strike a golf ball lightly
    They had to be, because they were putting themselves through one of the toughest examinations in sport.
  158. famous
    widely known and esteemed
    "Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill,” said Richie Benaud, in one of his most famous aphorisms.
  159. bay
    an indentation of a shoreline smaller than a gulf
    Jake Ball, Steven Finn, Mark Wood – you could field a decent attack from those lying in the sick bay.
  160. triumph
    a successful ending of a struggle or contest
    Twelve years is the normal interval between triumphs, although Strauss broke a 24-year drought.
  161. might
    physical strength
    As diplomatic cables thrummed between Melbourne and London, the whole affair echoed the uncannily prescient prediction made by Jardine’s school cricket master, Rockley Wilson, before the series: “He might well win us the Ashes, but he might lose us a Dominion.”
  162. grant
    let have
    They were also all fortunate, in different ways, to be granted that opportunity.
  163. particularly
    to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
    During a particularly rough section of the three-month sea crossing, he harrumphed: “At least if we go down we’ll take that bugger Barnes down with us.”
  164. actually
    in fact
    To succeed in Australia, a captain must establish some sort of relationship with their chief executioner, the man who actually fires the bullets.
  165. mission
    an operation that is assigned by a higher headquarters
    Root’s mission is scarcely less difficult.
  166. reduce
    make smaller
    His monomania delivered a 4-1 series victory, mainly by reducing Bradman’s average to a near-mortal 56.
  167. heat
    a form of energy transferred by a difference in temperature
    Even if you survive the heat and the barrenness, the uniquely venomous local fauna will probably finish you off.
  168. remember
    recall knowledge; have a recollection
    Mike Gatting is warmly remembered despite winning only two Ashes Tests Credit: Adrian Murrell
  169. confidence
    belief in yourself and your abilities
    But some sort of mutual understanding, a sense of confidence in each other’s work, is essential.
  170. yard
    enclosed land around a house or other building
    Any doubt over the quality of England’s attack evaporated after Ray Lindwall foolishly felled the barrel-chested Tyson with a bouncer in the second Test, sending him to hospital with a bump on his head that could reportedly be seen from 100 yards away.
  171. scarcely
    only a very short time before
    Root’s mission is scarcely less difficult.
  172. quality
    an essential and distinguishing attribute of something
    Any doubt over the quality of England’s attack evaporated after Ray Lindwall foolishly felled the barrel-chested Tyson with a bouncer in the second Test, sending him to hospital with a bump on his head that could reportedly be seen from 100 yards away.
  173. warn
    notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
    Warner had a secret weapon in 1903-04.
  174. speed
    a rate at which something happens
    Back on the field, the need for speed applied equally well to the next two successful tours.
  175. human
    a person; a hominid with a large brain and articulate speech
    We are talking about strong men here, outstanding leaders in both the tactical and human sense.
  176. deliver
    bring to a destination
    His monomania delivered a 4-1 series victory, mainly by reducing Bradman’s average to a near-mortal 56.
  177. fortunate
    having unexpected good luck
    They were also all fortunate, in different ways, to be granted that opportunity.
  178. local
    of or belonging to or characteristic of a particular area
    Even if you survive the heat and the barrenness, the uniquely venomous local fauna will probably finish you off.
  179. opportunity
    a possibility from a favorable combination of circumstances
    They were also all fortunate, in different ways, to be granted that opportunity.
  180. total
    the whole amount
    Poring through Pathé News footage of the 1930 Ashes must have been demoralising at first, as he watched Don Bradman assemble his historic total of 974 runs at an average of 139.
  181. introduce
    bring something new to an environment
    Len Hutton, a man of few words and even fewer Hs, introduced himself to Australian reporters in 1954-55 with a disingenuous claim.
  182. extreme
    of the greatest possible degree, extent, or intensity
    When he returned, Tyson bowled with such extreme pace that the slips had to retreat halfway to the boundary.
  183. expression
    the communication of your beliefs or opinions
    In fact, that impish expression is slightly deceptive, for he will be 27 next month.
  184. burn
    destroy by fire
    Jardine had the burning zeal of a puritan preacher.
  185. degree
    a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series
    Illingworth and Hutton were abrasive Yorkshiremen, while Brearley was an urbane, emollient Londoner with a Cambridge degree.
  186. compare
    examine and note the similarities or differences of
    He feels like a stripling when compared to the gallery of legends listed above, as fresh-faced as a chorister reporting for Matins.
  187. example
    an item of information that is typical of a class or group
    It was a unique example of an English batsman defining the state of play Down Under.
  188. affair
    a vaguely specified social event
    As diplomatic cables thrummed between Melbourne and London, the whole affair echoed the uncannily prescient prediction made by Jardine’s school cricket master, Rockley Wilson, before the series: “He might well win us the Ashes, but he might lose us a Dominion.”
  189. finish
    come or bring to an end
    Even if you survive the heat and the barrenness, the uniquely venomous local fauna will probably finish you off.
  190. slight
    small in quantity or degree
    In fact, that impish expression is slightly deceptive, for he will be 27 next month.
  191. establish
    set up or found
    To succeed in Australia, a captain must establish some sort of relationship with their chief executioner, the man who actually fires the bullets.
  192. event
    something that happens at a given place and time
    Thus far, events have conspired against Root.
  193. length
    the linear extent in space from one end to the other
    “Unkind people said that I ‘ran’ Bosanquet into this team because he was a friend of mine,” wrote Warner in his book, “[but] when he gets a length he is, on hard wickets, about the most difficult bowler there is.”
  194. especial
    surpassing what is common or usual or expected
    Especially as it only happens – on average – once every three trips.
  195. claim
    assert or affirm strongly
    Len Hutton, a man of few words and even fewer Hs, introduced himself to Australian reporters in 1954-55 with a disingenuous claim.
  196. publish
    prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
    Despite being the son of a Worcestershire vicar, as well as a published poet, Snow had a rebellious, anti-authoritarian streak that Barnes might have recognised.
  197. succeed
    attain success or reach a desired goal
    To succeed in Australia, a captain must establish some sort of relationship with their chief executioner, the man who actually fires the bullets.
  198. mine
    excavation from which ores and minerals are extracted
    “Unkind people said that I ‘ran’ Bosanquet into this team because he was a friend of mine,” wrote Warner in his book, “[but] when he gets a length he is, on hard wickets, about the most difficult bowler there is.”
  199. equal
    having the same quantity, value, or measure as another
    Back on the field, the need for speed applied equally well to the next two successful tours.
  200. discover
    determine the existence, presence, or fact of
    Australia is an unforgiving land, as a generation of 19th-century explorers discovered.
  201. respect
    regard highly; think much of
    With respect to Benaud’s aphorism, 10 per cent skill may not be enough in this case.
  202. final
    an exam administered at the end of an academic term
    But they are both into their final acts, and are probably giving away around 15mph between them to their Australian equivalents, Starc and Cummins.
  203. possess
    have ownership of
    Unfortunately, Root does not possess a fast-bowling firebrand to match Larwood, Tyson or Snow.
  204. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
    Then there was John Snow – a real handful for everyone in 1970-71, including Illingworth himself.
  205. common
    having no special distinction or quality
    The nine names listed above had one thing in common: a ruthless streak.
  206. lost
    confused as to time or place or personal identity
    In Brearley’s case, he was up against a denuded, Packerised Australia side team who had lost their best players to World Series Cricket.
  207. effect
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
    The halo effect can transform a man’s reputation.
  208. character
    a property that defines the individual nature of something
    Chapman was a hale and hearty character, who declined into an unrepentant boozehound later in life.
  209. report
    to give an account or representation of in words
    He feels like a stripling when compared to the gallery of legends listed above, as fresh-faced as a chorister reporting for Matins.
  210. through
    having finished or arrived at completion
    They had to be, because they were putting themselves through one of the toughest examinations in sport.
  211. doubt
    the state of being unsure of something
    Any doubt over the quality of England’s attack evaporated after Ray Lindwall foolishly felled the barrel-chested Tyson with a bouncer in the second Test, sending him to hospital with a bump on his head that could reportedly be seen from 100 yards away.
  212. thus
    from that fact or reason or as a result
    Thus far, events have conspired against Root.
  213. fact
    a piece of information about events that have occurred
    In fact, that impish expression is slightly deceptive, for he will be 27 next month.
  214. different
    unlike in nature, quality, form, or degree
    They were also all fortunate, in different ways, to be granted that opportunity.
  215. state
    the way something is with respect to its main attributes
    It was a unique example of an English batsman defining the state of play Down Under.
  216. need
    require or want
    Back on the field, the need for speed applied equally well to the next two successful tours.
  217. force
    influence that results in motion, stress, etc. when applied
    In the 1930s, his name was used to frighten wayward children, for he was the human slingshot who turned Jardine’s “Bodyline” into an irresistible force.
Created on Sun Nov 19 09:44:12 EST 2017

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.