Tom DecentFormer Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke has once again earned a cheer from a bumper crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground by skolling a beer while being egged on by Test great Shane Warne in the Channel Nine commentary box.
During the first session of play on Friday, television cameras spotted the 88-year-old in the stands and it didn't take long for members of the crowd to get excited.
Hawke continues SCG beer-skolling ...
The 88-year-old former PM gave the Ashes crowd at the SCG a bit of entertainment, knocking back a glass of beer on Day 2.
It isn't Hawke's first skol of a beer at the cricket. He has been spotted at least three separate times guzzling down a cold one at the SCG and it is becoming synonymous with the former Labor PM.
In 2012, Hawke only needed a "one for the country, Robert" line from a fan to get him going.
Bob Hawke alongside the former federal sports minister John Brown at the SCG on day two of the Ashes Test. Photo: Screengrab
With his face on the big screen, it was then up to an excitable Warne to commentate the moment.
"Show us your technique," Warne said. "He doesn't sip it, he gets it down in one. Look how quick he is."
In his younger days Hawke once downed a yard of ale – about 1.4 litres or 2.5 pints of beer – in 11 seconds, which at the time was a Guinness World Record.
However, Hawke did not seem to possess the same engine he once had as coverage cut to a Pat Cummins delivery as the time passed.
"Oh, oh, hang on, he hasn't finished yet," Warne said. "He is 88 years of age, give him a little bit of leeway."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said: "You've got to say it's a pretty poor effort".
Shortly after though, Hawke finished the beer to the delight of the crowd and raised his glass in what might be one of the most Australian things you will ever see.
"Well down Bob, great work, super stuff Bob," Warne said.
Hawke's effort was lauded on social media afterwards, with many claiming it was quintessentially Australian. There were also others who felt it promoted binge drinking.
Replies
Now thats our PM. What a Champion
Probably the only thing he was ever good at.
Gez I hope that I can still enjoy a whiskey if I get to his age. Good on him.
No need for ‘caps lock’ to write my name Vince, unless of course you feel I’m an extremely important person. I wouldn’t consider Hawke as the ‘catalyst’ of our nations current prosperity.
That’s my story as well.
I suppose Medicare was a failure as well.
Don't rewrite history.
Yeah, it’s broke
I suppose the USA medical system is better, lol
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