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Is this the golden age of sport for Britain?

With Britain on a sporting high, thanks to Andy Murray, the Lions and Chris Froome, should Australia be worried ahead of the Ashes tour?

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4 min read

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Source: SBS


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When it comes to sport, it seems Britain has got talent.

Andy Murray has broken a 77-year Wimbledon drought; the British Lions left Australia reeling and Brit Chris Froome is currently leading the Tour de France, which could be an ominous sign for Australia ahead of the Ashes series.

When it comes to sporting triumphs in the past year, British athletes have strived for greatness, and in return it seems they've achieved it.

The UK's 'The Independent', along with many other British media outlets, has announced to the world that Britain is once again "Great".

“We are the champions: Britain basks in a golden age of sport," writes Robin Scott-Elliot. "From tennis to athletics, rugby to cricket, cycling to golf, these islands are producing world-beaters as never before".

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Andy Murray has been the centre of Britain's patriotic storm, after a win that rocked the nation.

When Briton's No.1 player, Andy Murray defeated World No.1 Novak Djokovic, Britain knew their 77 years of wait was finally over.

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Briton's Andy Murray climbs down after celebrating in his player's box with friends and family (GETTY)

This historic moment has been celebrated and analysed from every possible angle in the British press.

"Champion", "Great Briton", "The History Boy" and simply "At last!" were some of the headlines that greeted readers on Monday morning.

The Daily Mail pointed out that the victory came on the seventh day of the seventh month, and 77 years after Fred Perry's triumph, along with Twitter trending the success of Murray.

In London's The Daily Telegraph, Paul Hayward wrote:

"The shame has passed. Frustration has been banished. Wimbledon fortnight is no longer a ritual of hope and despair. Centre Court has shed its inhibitions".

Wimbledon shame is not the only thing the Brits let go of this weekend; The British Lions took a long-awaited victory in Australia against the Wallabies, 24 hours before Murray's win.

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The British and Irish Lions (GETTY)

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Alun Wyn Jones and Jamie Roberts from The British and Irish Lions (GETTY)

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan‏ (@MichaelVaughan) who is still digesting 12 months of awesome British sport tweeted:

Britain's "Tour De Great" does not stop there.

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Briton's Chris Froome riding stage nine of the Tour de France (GETTY)

Briton's Chris Froome moved into the race leader's yellow jersey at the Tour de France after a challenging mountain stage nine.

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Chris Froome receives the yellow jersey in the Tour de France (GETTY)

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Briton's Justin Rose wins US Open 2013 (GETTY)

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Briton's Justin Rose wins US Open 2013 (GETTY)

Steve Douglas from The New Zealand Herald wrote:

"Popular and modest player's in victory in US Open ends long wait between drinks for thirsty English fans.

"Ever since Greg Norman's memorable final-found implosion let Nick Faldo win the Masters in 1996, a generation of fine English talent has come up short in golf's four major champions...

"...Finally, after a 17 year wait, England has a major winner: US Open champion Justin Rose."

After breaking several sporting droughts, this nation is on a sporting high.

This means, Britain surely has its sights now set firmely on Australia and the first Ashes test, which start on Wednesday.

Paul Hayward believes, "These are honeyes days for sport. On Wednesday a five-Test Ashes cricket-series starts with England favourites to inflict more misery on Australia."

As the Aussies and Brits brace for a suspenseful Test series, only time will if the Aussies are able to break Great Britain's victory streak.


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