From a Land Down Under

Those of us who tend to just leave the TV on Sky Sports News after a period of fruitless flicking will know that next year's instalment of cricket's greatest series, The Ashes, was thrown into doubt recently due to a serious pay dispute down under.

Were the Aussie players just perturbed about facing their British equivalents? Well, probably not, and certainly their comedian compatriots aren't. At the Edinburgh Fringe this August was The Ashes Comedy Showdown, a five 'test' series in which the rival nations' representatives bounce gags at each other, hit mighty mirth boundaries, and other awkward cricket/comedy analogies.

Actually there were absolutely loads of Aussie comics vying with the Brits (and beyond) for our ticket money this year, some of whom have become huge Fringe favourites, if not yet household names. But how do you choose which of the umpteen antipodeans to see? Well, you could utilise the Fringe website's search box and do some online gambling Australia style. Or let us take you through some hot tips.

It's certainly a mixed bag. Edinburgh comedy's most inventive, elaborate shows are invariably put together by Bec Hill (pictured), for example, who uses illustrated pop-ups, post-it notes, and this year is letting her audience choose the show's order. Which sounds risky, but probably won't top her 2013 show's unforeseen audience interaction: her boyfriend popped up and proposed.

Good story. And Oz also boasts one of the finest storytellers on the comedy scene right now, Sarah Kendall, whose wonderful Australian Trilogy transformed into a Radio 4 series earlier this year. She's packing a sizeable room again, having sold out her last few Fringe hours.

For those who prefer the free-and-easier Fringe experience of rocking up on the day and seeing what random shows still have seats available, you might be luckier with a few guys who are big-in-Oz but still up-and-coming over here. Rhys Nicholson is dapper but can be deliciously dirty, Nick Cody has a fine beard and an equally solid stand-up style, while the painfully candid Nath Valvo won a best newcomer nomination for his Fringe debut last year.

Speaking of that coveted recognition, 2014 newcomer nominee Steen Raskopoulos is back this year with his popular duo The Bear Pack, plus a game-themed solo show: The Coolest Kid in Competitive Chess. His dad was one of Australia's top soccer players, y'know.

Also returning and in sport-related mode is the now shaven-headed Brendon Burns, who won the big Edinburgh award ten years ago. A major grapple fan, he does a nightly show with a pro wrestler, the self-explanatory Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana Do Comedy and Commentary to Bad Wrestling Matches, now in its fifth turnbuckle-yanking year.

And if that or the ashes show aren't competitive enough for you, how about Comedy Boxing, as Australia's moustachioed Sam Kissajukian takes on Britain's big-haired Kyle Legacy in a battle of gags and, ultimately, actual swinging-at-each-other. Punchlines ahoy.