The Net JamBritish companies have been warned of a computer meltdown with millions of workers expected to log on to track this week’s fifth Ashes Test. Companies could face costs of œ300,000 ($723,000) an hour as internet connections get blocked. Even 10 workers logging on to the live commentary from The Oval could reduce a network’s performance by 50 per cent. Suddenly, it seems Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan have Punters still back PunterIt may be the English cricket follower’s ingrained pessimism, or the humiliation of a generation of losses at the hands of Australia, but patriotic Ashes fever has yet to reach the nation’s betting shops. Despite being comprehensively outplayed by England in the last three Tests, all the major high street firms have made Australia favourites (Coral have them 6-4 along with the draw), with England trailing them in the market at 11-5. "We are not sure whether English cricket followers just cannot believe the evidence of their own eyes, but all the money in the run up to the Oval has been for Australia," said David Stevens of Coral.Thursday, 10.25 am sing JerusalemEngland is being urged to join in a rousing chorus of Jerusalem, the inspirational song penned by William Blake and set to music by Sir Hubert Parry before the fifth Test. Team captain Michael Vaughan is backing a campaign for the nation to break into the historic hymn at 10.25 am on Thursday. The hymn is traditionally sung by England supporters at rugby internationals and has accompanied the England cricket team since 2003.Oz bogeyAustralia's ridiculous schedule has been highlighted again with the Aussies having just a two-day game against Essex which started last night to prepare for Thursday’s Test. Bizarrely, the team is staying at a golf resort 50 minutes from the Chelmsford ground. Australia probably expected the tour to be over by this stage and had plotted a few days’ golf and a "who cares" two-dayer, plus a two-day holiday in London on the way.
