The only reason that I keep up with the ashes is that I used to have Aussies try to wind me up in the office I used to work in back in about 05 ish, I think it was over there and the pom's won so as the series went on I had to remind the guys who were ribing me what the score was, as they got quieter and quieter as the series went on. Since then I have always kept up with the score even if I don't watch it.
Anyway Rugby is a much more interesting game which I still enjoy playing every now and then.