London: Terrorism, trade and North Korea dominated discussions between Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and British Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street on Monday afternoon. The two leaders agreed on just about everything during their 30 minute press conference, including an issue that was pitched up like a googly in the final over the day: Ashes cricket.
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Of all the the many things that Australians and Brits have in common, a shared love of the game remains near the top of the list.
But Australia's leading cricketers are locked in a bitter pay dispute with Cricket Australia; an Australia A tour of South Africa has been cancelled, a two-Test tour of Bangladesh is in doubt and - it hardly seems believable - there are suggestions the Ashes series due to get under way in the next Australian summer may not go ahead.
Thus, the cheeky final ball was bowled to both world leaders: "On an issue of grave interest and concern to both our countries, there is a real risk there may not be an Ashes series because of the players strike, I was wondering if either of you would like to reflect on that?"
Mr Turnbull invited Mrs May to the crease first to answer the question, and the British PM did not falter, immediately highlighting a three run win by the English women's team over Australia in the cricket World Cup in the last 24 hours or so
"We always welcome any opportunity to play the Australians at cricket and show them a thing or two, how it is done," she said.
Mr Turnbull joked that the question had "made me feel young again" and pointed out that 40 years ago he had been working for the late media mogul Kerry Packer, helping to set up World Series Cricket.
The comparison with that famous split between administrators and players was apt and, as the PM noted, "had a certain resonance about it".
"Australians want their team on the field, beating the Poms, so I encourage both sides to settle it as quickly as possible," Mr Turnbull said.
While he is not known for his love of cricket, Mr Turnbull's words neatly summed up the hopes of all Australian fans.
