GOOGLIES & CHINAMEN
An Occasional Cricketing Journal
Edition 216
December 2020
Cotswold Matters
I received the following reassuring missive from Allen Bruton
Dear Jim, Following your reports over the last few months I thought you might possibly be interested in a Team Fundraising Event that I attended recently hosted by Robert Jenrick. I had expected it to be cancelled because of lockdown and my £12,000 to be refunded. However, I was assured that in the unpublished terms and conditions it fell into the same category as trips to Durham and was clearly allowed.
Pre-lunch Mr. Jenrick was mostly occupied with ensuring that all ticket monies had been collected. He seemed disappointed by apologies received from Dido Harding, apparently inundated with work in her committee role at the Jockey Club, and Chris Grayling who had unfortunately boarded the wrong train and found himself in somewhere that he thought was called Sheffield.
Problems continued to mount when the oven ready lunch failed to materialise and Mr. Jenrick was heard to remark that we might have to make do with a Marcus Rashford freebie. It was Ladies Captain Liz Truss who came to the rescue with a selection of cheeses, albeit mostly Stilton, that she had hoped to send to Japan. The real highlight was the excellent selection of superb wines all available at just £5 per bottle from the House of Commons Mobile Bar.
Possibly due to the wine our host appeared much more relaxed and discussion inevitably centred on whether Johnson would hang on to the captaincy. Robert thought the widespread criticism grossly unfair being based entirely on performance and results rather than his strength of promises and predictions. Just recently with coming matches in mind Boris had inspired the team by assuring them that the Europeans grovel when down and he intended to make them grovel.
The feeling seemed to be that with the selection committee not meeting for another four years he was probably safe. It was conceded however that a dressing room mutiny could not be completely ruled out and a watchful eye had to be kept on Jeremy Hunt and a few other squad members.
Bob was positively light hearted by mid afternoon and was even happy to view a short video that I had on my mobile phone. He eventually brought proceedings to a close as he faced a long drive to Shropshire to deliver the leftover Stilton to his in-laws.
On a totally unrelated personal matter you might be pleased to hear that after numerous rejections I have just received planning permission for the two storey, five bedroom extension to my thatched Cotswold cottage.
In and Within with the Professor
What can we make of England’s chances in next winter’s T20 World Cup? Well, after these three games, you would have to say that things are looking pretty good. A 3-0 win is as good as can be and optimists might draw comfort from the nature of the wins - last over in two cases and only comfortable because of a “maximum” (God save us) in the penultimate over and a crushing defeat in the third. However, the words “England cricket team” and “optimism” are not natural bedfellows. Clearly we have an excellent side who should be a match for any other in a years’ time. But a years’ time is a long while in international sport and much can, and doubtless will, change.
The players will not be short of practice, since in addition to domestic and overseas matches, and various “Bashes” in various parts of the world, I read that The Hundred is now rearranged for next summer and all the T20 squad should be available for some of the games although those in the Test side might not play the full set. How the players will adjust to twenty fewer balls is, I suppose, anyone’s guess. Will they change at all? Presumably you don’t go to the crease thinking of twenty fewer balls - “Better get on with it - can’t just nurdle it around like we do in the old prolix T20”. I suppose it will make the back end of an innings even more frenetic than it is now. So, hopefully, the out-of-form/practice issues that seem to have affected Roy will not be there and all the batsmen will have had lots of opportunity at belting the ball out of the park.
But what of the team?
Well, notwithstanding all the chat about “healthy competition” for places it would be a bit of a surprise if the front six changed. Banton seems to have faltered slightly in his progress and Billings seems destined for the (highly effective) replacement role. It seems less than clear that the case for the change in the order has made. Bairstow and Roy proved a pretty effective pairing and moving Buttler up has been a limited success before the final match. What is not clear (to me at least) is the problem that the change was intended to solve. I understand the need to get the big hitters early but Bairstow is hardly a blocker and at, say, 4, Buttler should be in early enough. Malan, of course, has been quite outstanding: difficult to imagine that he can maintain that form for the next year but let’s hope he does – always good to see Yorkshire players doing well. Malan appears to have 915 points (however they might be allotted) to put him at the top of the international rankings, thereby overtaking that other well-known Yorkshireman, Aaron Finch. I read that at this rate of progress he will easily become the fastest player to 1,000 T20I runs.
But what about the next five?
Well the issue seems to be, as it so often is, Moeen Ali. Rashid, Archer and Jordan seem like fixtures but the World Cup venue cries out for another spinner…will it be Moeen? His career must be one of the most uneven of recent times: match-winning performances in a number of games followed by hopeless efforts in others. How can the man I saw score 200 against Yorkshire walk to the wicket, chip the ball tamely to mid-off, and stroll back again? OK, I concede that the Yorkshire attack might not be quite as potent as, say, Australia, but still…
He doesn’t of course get out on purpose but sometimes it doesn’t look that far away from it. Ditto the bowling which can go from inspired to dross in no time. One has, of course, to feel sorry for bowlers in T20, bowling a perfect length spinning off-break to a left hander and watch him heave the thing over cow corner…what are you supposed to do now? Still, an in-form Moeen, most would accept, could be a crucial extra element to the England side. Perhaps his captaincy of “Birmingham Phoenix” (who makes up these names?) will do the trick.
England appear to have the easier draw in the announced World Cup schedule – where they will again play South Africa – and presumably would hope to make the semi-finals along with India. After that, who knows? Perhaps on November 15th we will be celebrating another World Cup win…but it wouldn’t do to be too optimistic.
This and That
I got back from Chicago last Wednesday and found myself on Thursday watching the inaugural match in the Lankan Premier League. Angelo Mathews won the toss for the Colombo Kings and invited the Kandy Tuskers to bat. The Afghani, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, was quickly into his business and made a delightful 53 from 22 deliveries. Kusal Perera was at the other end and he paced his effort until he was out in the final over for 87. The total of 219 for 3 looked a match winning effort and could have been more if not for the leg spin of the Bangla Deshi, Qais Ahmad, and the skill and experience of Udana, In reply Chandimal made a stylish 80 from 46 balls but after he and Andre Russell had been dismissed the Kings cause seemed hopeless. But Udana once again stepped up and scored 34 from 12 balls and the scores ended up level leaving a Super Over to decide the first match in this tournament. The Kings ended up unlikely winners. I did get a sighting of Kamindu Mendis who bowls right arm to the left handers and switches to left arm when a right hander is on strike.
The next day I started watching the match between the Galle Gladiators and the Jaffna Stallions but part way through Sky switched over to the South Africa/England T20 from the Six Gun Grill Newlands. This seems a singularly inappropriate name for this magnificent venue but if they bid highest or made an offer they couldn’t refuse it is the way of the modern game. I didn’t think that the South African innings really got underway but they ended up with 179 for 6 which looked like being enough for most of the England innings. It was one of those wickets which the commentators find excuses for anything other than clean hitting – “the ball is sticking in the surface a little”. They should have played on uncovered wickets at the Bush. However, Bairstow was in a very angry mood and was brutal. He won the match almost singlehandedly for England and was so intense that he didn’t even manage a smile of pleasure after performing an extraordinary feat of powerful clean hitting.
Incidentally, it turned out that the Galle Gladiators are captained by Shahid Afridi who is, I believe, 71 this month. He rescued his side with a typical 58 from 23 balls, striking four of his last five deliveries for six. But it wasn’t enough as Nuwanido Fernando and Shoaib Malik, who is nearly as old as Afridi, saw the Jaffna Stallions home.
On Saturday it rained in Sri Lanka and the first game was decided by the D/L method. The second game got underway so late that it was just a 5 over match. Question- who would you least like to be batting against you in a five over match? England and Middlesex players would probably say Aaron Finch, many would say Chris Gayle, there are those who would pick Roy, Buttler or Bairstow but none of these could have seen Andre Russell in action. He is very much like an Action Man in status. Intimidation is everything. He takes guard outside off stump and crouches low. In this innings it should be clear that not everything went his way. There were both miss hits and misses. Nevertheless, he reached 53 from 14 balls and ended up 65 not out from just 19 balls. The Kings reached 96 for 1 in their five overs which not surprisingly proved more than enough.
The latest bowling tactic to keep batsmen quiet in T20 cricket is to bowl wide yorkers. There are two problems with this tactic. The first is that the umpires call some of these deliveries as wides. The second is that some of the batsmen now play a wide drive at these deliveries from deep in the crease with an angled bat. Clean contact, which is not infrequent, results in the ball sailing over third man for six. Not the sort of shot Jack Morgan or I would ever have considered.
Azam Khan keeps wicket and bats at number three for the Galle Gladiators. He is also the son of their manager, Moin Khan. You might think that I am about to whinge on about nepotism but I’m not. Azam is not particularly tall but in all other respects is enormous and would fit nicely into the Northants set up, which clearly likes such attributes.
This afternoon I watched the second ODI from Kalle. At most UK venues the boundaries are brought in to about 60 yards so that everyone can be excited by an avalanche of sixes. Kalle is up country and clearly land has little or no value there. The stadium is vast in acreage and the boundary was marked inside the perimeter of the playing area. Nevertheless, much of the boundary was in excess of 80 metres distant. This is an incredible distance since it is nearly ninety yards. Malan must consider himself incredibly unlucky to have been caught on the boundary from a hit which would have travelled another five yards over the rope. He may go down in the record books as having been dismissed off the longest hit ever.
Earlier in the month in the Sheffield Shield South Australia had made a modest 200 in their first innings. Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris commenced their reply on the first evening and were not parted for over eight hours when Harris was dismissed for 239 with the score on 486. When the declaration came Pucovski was undefeated on 255. Pucovski scored 188 in his second Shield match and scored 243 aged 20 in the same competition the following season. He has been promoted to open for Victoria this season and has scored 495 runs in three innings, including a score of 202 in addition to his 255.
.Morgan Matters
The GJM finds one Lockdown much like any other
Rs in the lead sensation! Yes, Rangers are 2-1 up at home to Cardiff after 70 mins... and went on to win 3-2 with the winner coming from Ball in stoppage time... it seems a long time since the last win... it was the first game of the season wasn’t it?
Ex-Acton resident Sir Sean Connery is dead aged 90.
Thanks for Googlies 215. Strange XI: all Middlesex overseas players?
M Morkel is leaving Surrey, he said "the pandemic and the quarantine requirements have made travel challenging and it is no longer feasible to spend large amounts of time away from home".
Oz allrounder Shane Watson has now retired from all forms of cricket. He played 59 Tests, 190 ODIs and 58 T20s for Oz.
I Salisbury and J Kirtley are the new Sussex head coaches. Salisbury is in charge of first class and one-day cricket while Kirtley looks after T20.
The November Cricketer:
Chris Gayle has hit 1,000 sixes in T20. K Pollard, in 2nd place, has hit 694 and B McCullum, in third, 485. I am still on 7 myself.
Today's G has a four-page article entitled "Why athletes choke". We hear about Scott Boswell of Leicester "choking" in the C&G Trophy final in 2001 when he could not stop bowling wides and his second (and last) over lasted 14 balls. He only ever played one more game of professional cricket. We also hear about the semi-final of the 1999 World Cup when South Africa needed 9 off the last over with 9 wkts down and Lance Klusener hit the first 2 balls for four. However, off the fourth ball, Klusener started to run as soon as he had hit the ball, but Allan Donald did not move at all, he said his legs felt like jelly and when he did finally get moving, he was run out by yards and SA were out of the competition. These snippets are taken from a book by A Mark Williams and Tim Wigmore called The Best: How Elite Athletes Are Made.
Ex-Middx cricketer Bill Higginson received an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to Disability Cricket. I know the name: did he coach us at Finchley? Or was that Tom?
It is true that I do not take very much interest in footy these days, but I always look out for any news about Queens Park Rangers, so I was shocked to read in today's O that Rs man Eberechi Eze put in an "inspirational performance" for C Palace in the 4-1 win over Leeds, scoring the second goal and creating several other chances. Apparently he was a "£19.5 million summer signing". I knew Rs were prepared to sell him for a good price, but I never heard that it had actually happened until today!
Graham Cowdrey has died aged 56, he made 450 appearances for Kent.
England wicket-keeping coach Bruce French has retired after 11 years in the role. He played 16 Tests and 13 ODIs for England.
Ray Clemence has died aged 72 after a long battle with cancer.
The ECB is to take action after admitting that its pool of first-class umpires is "lacking in diversity" after J Holder and I Dawood accused them of downright racism in its selection of umps. Their campaign (Stump Out Racism) has highlighted the lack of non-whites amongst the first-class umpires in England. Holder said, "it's a concern of mine that not one black cricketer has passed on to the full-time panel in nearly 30 years".
It has now been agreed that England will play in Pakistan for the first time in 16 years ("tour" is too grand a term for the 2 T20s they will reluctantly play next October).
The ECB has now announced England's fixtures for 2021:
ODIs: 29/6 v SL Riverside; 1/7 v SL Oval; 4/7 v SL Bristol; 8/7 v Pak Cardiff; 10/7 v Pak Lord's; 13/7 v Pak Edgbaston.
T20s: 16/7 v Pak Trent Bridge; 18/7 v Pak Headingley; 20/7 v Pak OT.
Tests v Ind: 4-8/8 Trent Bridge; 12-16/8 Lord's; 25-29/8 Headingley; 2-6/9 Oval; 10-14/9 OT.
D Malan is no 1 in the World T20 batting rankings (he averages 48.7 with a strike rate of 146), but he knows that his place in the side is not guaranteed amongst some fierce competition.
There is a huge article in today's G about R’s man Anton Ferdinand, racism and John Terry which had its beginnings in a Premier League game against Chelsea in October 2011 when Terry said the words "fucking black cunt" in a spat with Anton that ended up in court.
S Harmison is very upset that his mate M Wood has got only a white-ball deal on the SA trip, calls it a "huge mistake" and he fears that Woody will now sign up for the IPL.
I am just hearing that a maximum of 4,000 fans are to be allowed at outdoor sporting events in low risk areas when the lockdown ends on December 2. Personally, I think it is too soon so pardon my lack of ecstasy.
Maurice Setters is dead aged 83. He is yet another to die of Alzheimer's.
C Silverwood says that J Buttler will open in the T20 series v SA starting on Fri 27/11 despite B Stokes wanting the role. J Root is not expected to feature.
Middlesex news: M Holman, M Andersson and T Walallawita have all signed up until the end of the 2023 season while Durham University student J Cracknell has signed a 2 year deal. Berks batsman D Lincoln has been released by Middlesex.
Following a number of allegations about racism in English cricket, the ECB has announced measures to increase "diversity" in the game, establish a "forum for race" and introduce an "equality code".
Chelsea are asking £75 from fans wanting to see their game against Leeds, but the fans are revolting!
IPL- Top Team
The Cricketer puts together the best XI from the eight-team competition in the United Arab Emirates, using just four overseas slots
KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab)
(14 matches, 670 runs, 55.83 ave, 129.34 SR)
The Orange Cap winner is the only choice to open the innings. The 28-year-old led a disjointed Kings XI side by example, with a handful of sterling knocks. His century in their opening match of the tournament might have been enough to see off RCB but too often his innings were in vain. That knock was the highest by any Indian in the IPL and the fourth best in the competition's history.
Shikhar Dhawan (Delhi Capitals)
(17 matches, 618 runs, 44.14 ave, 144.73 SR)
One of only two players to surpass 600 runs yet it was still an up and down campaign for Dhawan. He struck two of the five centuries during the competition, and four half-centuries alongside. But in 17 innings, four of them ended with him failing to score. Nevertheless, he was key to DC reaching their maiden final, scoring faster than any opener and is showing no sign of slowing down.
Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Capitals)
(17 matches, 519 runs, 34.60 ave, 123.27 SR)
“Iyer is a brilliant player, captain and person. He’s definitely grown in stature in the last 12 months. Hopefully, we can work together a bit more in the future.” Glowing praise from Ricky Ponting reflects the impact Iyer made on DC. Indeed, his leadership was hailed as one of the key reasons for their run to the final. Only three players scored more runs and if it weren't for his 65 in the final, Mumbai Indians could have strolled to an embarrassing win.
AB de Villiers (wk, Royal Challengers Bangalore)
(15 matches, 454 runs, 45.40 ave, 158.74 SR, 10 dismissals)
For the sixth time in seven seasons, the South African went past 400 runs in the tournament but this felt like his best performance in some years. Shifted down the order to perform the role of finisher, he was utterly sublime against the older ball. The highlights came via a stunning 73 off 33 balls to help beat Kolkata Knight Riders, and a half-century to inspire victory over Rajasthan Royals. And at 36 he performer ably with the gloves.
Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians)
(14 matches, 516 runs, 57.33 ave, 145.76 SR)
The IPL's breakout star, at least on a global level. The eventual champions' highest run-scorer was a pocket-rocket in the middle order, finishing with a better strike-rate than Jos Buttler or Andre Russell. His ability to leather the ball over the boundary punctuated MI's run to their fifth title. Missed out on a deserved century against RCB but it mattered little, as his metronomic consistency earned him something much more valuable.
Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings)
(14 matches, 232 runs, 46.60 ave, 171.85 SR, six wickets, econ 8.75)
It remains to be seen whether Jadeja will be part of the next CSK era after they missed out on the playoffs, but he still had time to offer a reminder of his star quality in the middle overs. Only four players scored their tournament runs at a faster rate, while the six wickets which came via his tricky left-arm spin proved he more than just helps make up the overs.
Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)
(14 matches, 281 runs, 35.12 ave, 178.98 SR)
The relentless Mumbai Indians batting order was often capped by some fireworks from Pandya, who is fit again and certainly firing. Contributions were often fleeting but nearly always entertaining. His unbeaten 60 from 21 balls against RR was a blink and you miss it eruption, as first Ankit Rajpoot and then Kartik Tyagi were each smashed for 27 from the 18th and 20th overs. A glorious cricketer who needs protecting.
Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals)
(14 matches, 113 runs, 18.83 ave, 179.36 SR, 20 wickets, econ 6.55)
The Barbados-born seamer elevated himself into exclusive company during the IPL thanks to his new ball expertise and some blistering spells. Rajasthan almost always got off to a good start thanks to the England man, whose 20 scalps don't do justice to his hostility and intensity, which is regularly questioned back home. He is pure box office.
Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
(16 matches, 35 runs, 8.75 ave, 116.66 SR, 20 wickets, econ 5.37)
The best leg-spinner in the world enjoyed perhaps his best tournament with some inspired, frugal spells punctuated by wickets and bamboozled batsmen. There isn't a major global league Rashid hasn't yet dominated. It was perhaps telling that his stand-out display came against Delhi Capitals when he claimed 3-7. He is a real nuisance with runs behind him.
Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)
(15 matches, 5 runs, 166.66 SR, 27 wickets, econ 6.73)
The best seam bowler in the world across all formats? There is certainly an argument that when the ball is white, there are few better at any stage of an innings. Accurate with the new ball, potent and deadly with the old. Given when he is deployed, his economy rate of 6.73 is barely believable, particularly as he has 27 wickets to boot - the most by any Indian in a single tournament.
Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians)
(15 matches, 25 wickets, econ 7.97)
Saved his best for when his team needed it. His new-ball spell in the final virtually delivered the title for MI, taking 3-30 and bowling 12 dots. The back-to-back champions never looked back once he got Marcus Stoinis first up. Protected somewhat for the early overs and not exposed to the death, Boult's angles terrorise openers looking to stamp their authority while his short ball can act as a genuine surprise.
Strange Elevens
John Williams sent me this
Your jazz hat team seems to be stacked with Middlesex overseas players although I am surprised Nante got in ahead of Vincent. You seem to have confused Tommo with your mate Steve.
Seeing the jazz hat list reminded me of DCS's memorial service in Westminster Abbey on 1st July 1997. I had attended the service with Ken Biddle of Hatch End. We were outside the Abbey after the service and watching the incredible number of stars from all walks of life. Among them was a 21 year old very slim and youthful looking Jacques Kallis. Ken and I had got a taxi to the Abbey and we understood there was to be a do back at the Cricketers Club. Wondering how we were to get there we spotted a coach which had Cricketers Club on it. We thought how splendid it was to lay on a coach to the Cricketers so we jumped on board and ended up back there. Whilst there I bumped into an old friend - John Smith of Berkhamsted. I told him how thoughtful it was of club to lay on a coach. He looked somewhat miffed. It transpired that he had organised the coach which had not only brought people from the Abbey but had taken them there as well! Oops but nothing ventured nothing gained.
Here is a similar jazz hat XI, easily identifiable, which could have given the Middlesex boys a good game.
Glenn Turner
John Parker
Steve Smith
Graeme Hick
Phillip Hughes
Imran Khan
Tom Moody capt
Shakib Al Hasan
Nathan Lyon
Kemar Roach
Vanburn Holder
Glenn McGrath.
Hall of Shame
This section is reserved for those highly paid athletes who have yet to master the basics of their chosen profession
In their Monday Night match at West Ham, Aston Villa were trailing 2-1 with ten minutes to go when they were awarded a penalty. Their expensive signing from Brentford, Ollie Watkins, strode up leaned back and blasted the ball against the crossbar. Watkins has form on missing penalties. He has missed three of the last five he has taken. Why is this OK? Any professional footballer should be able to take and score at least nine out of ten. Directional kicking is a basic skill. Maybe they should fine those who miss a couple of months salary. It would focus the mind.
In the LPL and the South Arfrica/England white ball series local umpires are being used and for this reason two appeals per side are being allowed. This is just as well since there have been some appalling decisions. It is very difficult for right arm bowlers bowling over the wicket to gain LBW decisions against left-handed batsmen. In the third T20 Malan was fingered to a ball which clearly pitched outside leg stump. On replay it had landed six inches outside the line and the decision was overturned. In the LPL the splendidly named Umpire Hannibal had one overturned when the replay showed it pitching a foot outside leg stump. These two umpires were both standing about fifteen yards from where the ball pitched and got it hopelessly wrong. They were not marginal decisions.
In the third T20 Malan hit the ball to midwicket and set off for two. Bavuma fielded and threw to the keeper’s end where Malan would have been run out by some distance. However, de Kock failed to take the ball which bounced off his body and ran away. He acknowledged his error to all but instead of the game resuming the umpires referred the non-decision upstairs where the action was replayed endlessly before the off field umpire eventually confirmed what deKock had told the on field umpire at the time. Someone has to put a stop to unnecessary delays.
Ged Matters
Ged (Ian Harris) writes
The Heavy Rollers has been a cricket-watching group, primarily at Edgbaston, for more than 20 years. This year, for the first time, we were joined by some antipodean guests of Nigel Father-Barry’s.
I hesitate to use the term “the enemy” but let’s be frank about it, England cricket fans and Australian cricket fans do not exactly see eye to eye over cricket. But we were acting as hosts and we are British, so I thought I should help ensure that there would be no embarrassing silences or awkward moments while we were in the company of visitors from “the dark side”. So, I produced the following conversation starter pack on moral and ethical issues with an Ashes theme, in the style of the Radio 4 panel programme, The Moral Maze. As much as anything else, I thought the moral conundrums below might help us to locate The Line.
(1) Talking of lines, under precisely which circumstances is bodyline bowling morally justified – e.g. when the opposition has at least one batsman who you simply don’t seem able to dismiss any other way?
(2) What type of sandpaper is ethically acceptable material for “shining” the ball – please specify exact grit-grades and colours (e.g. yellow, undetectable-cricket-whites-colour)?
(3) Which of the following behaviours is permissible after one of your team’s players (e.g. Jenner) has had to retire hurt after ducking into a bouncer (e.g. from Snow)?
a. Bottle-throwing?
b. Can-throwing?
c. Partially-eaten pie-throwing?
d. Manhandling?
e. All of the above?
f. None of the above?
(4) At exactly what angle of deviation from the bat or glove does it become a moral imperative to walk rather than, Broad-ly speaking, wait for the umpire to raise his finger and then brave it out if the digit-of-doom fails to appear? Please provide your answer to the nearest second – rough estimates in degrees or even minutes will not be acceptable answers.
(5) Give examples of bar-room behaviour by a member of one team that would justify a member of the other team throwing a punch at the member of the first team in said bar? Would your answer be different if the punch were to land, rather than be the pugilists equivalent of a batsman wafting away at thin air? Does it make a difference if the pugilistic gesture were to be a friendly head-butt rather than a punch?
Googlies Website
All the back editions of Googlies can be found on the G&C website. There are also many photographs most of which have never appeared in Googlies.
www.googliesandchinamen.com
Googlies and Chinamen
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James Sharp
Broad Lee House
Combs
High Peak
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[email protected]
An Occasional Cricketing Journal
Edition 216
December 2020
Cotswold Matters
I received the following reassuring missive from Allen Bruton
Dear Jim, Following your reports over the last few months I thought you might possibly be interested in a Team Fundraising Event that I attended recently hosted by Robert Jenrick. I had expected it to be cancelled because of lockdown and my £12,000 to be refunded. However, I was assured that in the unpublished terms and conditions it fell into the same category as trips to Durham and was clearly allowed.
Pre-lunch Mr. Jenrick was mostly occupied with ensuring that all ticket monies had been collected. He seemed disappointed by apologies received from Dido Harding, apparently inundated with work in her committee role at the Jockey Club, and Chris Grayling who had unfortunately boarded the wrong train and found himself in somewhere that he thought was called Sheffield.
Problems continued to mount when the oven ready lunch failed to materialise and Mr. Jenrick was heard to remark that we might have to make do with a Marcus Rashford freebie. It was Ladies Captain Liz Truss who came to the rescue with a selection of cheeses, albeit mostly Stilton, that she had hoped to send to Japan. The real highlight was the excellent selection of superb wines all available at just £5 per bottle from the House of Commons Mobile Bar.
Possibly due to the wine our host appeared much more relaxed and discussion inevitably centred on whether Johnson would hang on to the captaincy. Robert thought the widespread criticism grossly unfair being based entirely on performance and results rather than his strength of promises and predictions. Just recently with coming matches in mind Boris had inspired the team by assuring them that the Europeans grovel when down and he intended to make them grovel.
The feeling seemed to be that with the selection committee not meeting for another four years he was probably safe. It was conceded however that a dressing room mutiny could not be completely ruled out and a watchful eye had to be kept on Jeremy Hunt and a few other squad members.
Bob was positively light hearted by mid afternoon and was even happy to view a short video that I had on my mobile phone. He eventually brought proceedings to a close as he faced a long drive to Shropshire to deliver the leftover Stilton to his in-laws.
On a totally unrelated personal matter you might be pleased to hear that after numerous rejections I have just received planning permission for the two storey, five bedroom extension to my thatched Cotswold cottage.
In and Within with the Professor
What can we make of England’s chances in next winter’s T20 World Cup? Well, after these three games, you would have to say that things are looking pretty good. A 3-0 win is as good as can be and optimists might draw comfort from the nature of the wins - last over in two cases and only comfortable because of a “maximum” (God save us) in the penultimate over and a crushing defeat in the third. However, the words “England cricket team” and “optimism” are not natural bedfellows. Clearly we have an excellent side who should be a match for any other in a years’ time. But a years’ time is a long while in international sport and much can, and doubtless will, change.
The players will not be short of practice, since in addition to domestic and overseas matches, and various “Bashes” in various parts of the world, I read that The Hundred is now rearranged for next summer and all the T20 squad should be available for some of the games although those in the Test side might not play the full set. How the players will adjust to twenty fewer balls is, I suppose, anyone’s guess. Will they change at all? Presumably you don’t go to the crease thinking of twenty fewer balls - “Better get on with it - can’t just nurdle it around like we do in the old prolix T20”. I suppose it will make the back end of an innings even more frenetic than it is now. So, hopefully, the out-of-form/practice issues that seem to have affected Roy will not be there and all the batsmen will have had lots of opportunity at belting the ball out of the park.
But what of the team?
Well, notwithstanding all the chat about “healthy competition” for places it would be a bit of a surprise if the front six changed. Banton seems to have faltered slightly in his progress and Billings seems destined for the (highly effective) replacement role. It seems less than clear that the case for the change in the order has made. Bairstow and Roy proved a pretty effective pairing and moving Buttler up has been a limited success before the final match. What is not clear (to me at least) is the problem that the change was intended to solve. I understand the need to get the big hitters early but Bairstow is hardly a blocker and at, say, 4, Buttler should be in early enough. Malan, of course, has been quite outstanding: difficult to imagine that he can maintain that form for the next year but let’s hope he does – always good to see Yorkshire players doing well. Malan appears to have 915 points (however they might be allotted) to put him at the top of the international rankings, thereby overtaking that other well-known Yorkshireman, Aaron Finch. I read that at this rate of progress he will easily become the fastest player to 1,000 T20I runs.
But what about the next five?
Well the issue seems to be, as it so often is, Moeen Ali. Rashid, Archer and Jordan seem like fixtures but the World Cup venue cries out for another spinner…will it be Moeen? His career must be one of the most uneven of recent times: match-winning performances in a number of games followed by hopeless efforts in others. How can the man I saw score 200 against Yorkshire walk to the wicket, chip the ball tamely to mid-off, and stroll back again? OK, I concede that the Yorkshire attack might not be quite as potent as, say, Australia, but still…
He doesn’t of course get out on purpose but sometimes it doesn’t look that far away from it. Ditto the bowling which can go from inspired to dross in no time. One has, of course, to feel sorry for bowlers in T20, bowling a perfect length spinning off-break to a left hander and watch him heave the thing over cow corner…what are you supposed to do now? Still, an in-form Moeen, most would accept, could be a crucial extra element to the England side. Perhaps his captaincy of “Birmingham Phoenix” (who makes up these names?) will do the trick.
England appear to have the easier draw in the announced World Cup schedule – where they will again play South Africa – and presumably would hope to make the semi-finals along with India. After that, who knows? Perhaps on November 15th we will be celebrating another World Cup win…but it wouldn’t do to be too optimistic.
This and That
I got back from Chicago last Wednesday and found myself on Thursday watching the inaugural match in the Lankan Premier League. Angelo Mathews won the toss for the Colombo Kings and invited the Kandy Tuskers to bat. The Afghani, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, was quickly into his business and made a delightful 53 from 22 deliveries. Kusal Perera was at the other end and he paced his effort until he was out in the final over for 87. The total of 219 for 3 looked a match winning effort and could have been more if not for the leg spin of the Bangla Deshi, Qais Ahmad, and the skill and experience of Udana, In reply Chandimal made a stylish 80 from 46 balls but after he and Andre Russell had been dismissed the Kings cause seemed hopeless. But Udana once again stepped up and scored 34 from 12 balls and the scores ended up level leaving a Super Over to decide the first match in this tournament. The Kings ended up unlikely winners. I did get a sighting of Kamindu Mendis who bowls right arm to the left handers and switches to left arm when a right hander is on strike.
The next day I started watching the match between the Galle Gladiators and the Jaffna Stallions but part way through Sky switched over to the South Africa/England T20 from the Six Gun Grill Newlands. This seems a singularly inappropriate name for this magnificent venue but if they bid highest or made an offer they couldn’t refuse it is the way of the modern game. I didn’t think that the South African innings really got underway but they ended up with 179 for 6 which looked like being enough for most of the England innings. It was one of those wickets which the commentators find excuses for anything other than clean hitting – “the ball is sticking in the surface a little”. They should have played on uncovered wickets at the Bush. However, Bairstow was in a very angry mood and was brutal. He won the match almost singlehandedly for England and was so intense that he didn’t even manage a smile of pleasure after performing an extraordinary feat of powerful clean hitting.
Incidentally, it turned out that the Galle Gladiators are captained by Shahid Afridi who is, I believe, 71 this month. He rescued his side with a typical 58 from 23 balls, striking four of his last five deliveries for six. But it wasn’t enough as Nuwanido Fernando and Shoaib Malik, who is nearly as old as Afridi, saw the Jaffna Stallions home.
On Saturday it rained in Sri Lanka and the first game was decided by the D/L method. The second game got underway so late that it was just a 5 over match. Question- who would you least like to be batting against you in a five over match? England and Middlesex players would probably say Aaron Finch, many would say Chris Gayle, there are those who would pick Roy, Buttler or Bairstow but none of these could have seen Andre Russell in action. He is very much like an Action Man in status. Intimidation is everything. He takes guard outside off stump and crouches low. In this innings it should be clear that not everything went his way. There were both miss hits and misses. Nevertheless, he reached 53 from 14 balls and ended up 65 not out from just 19 balls. The Kings reached 96 for 1 in their five overs which not surprisingly proved more than enough.
The latest bowling tactic to keep batsmen quiet in T20 cricket is to bowl wide yorkers. There are two problems with this tactic. The first is that the umpires call some of these deliveries as wides. The second is that some of the batsmen now play a wide drive at these deliveries from deep in the crease with an angled bat. Clean contact, which is not infrequent, results in the ball sailing over third man for six. Not the sort of shot Jack Morgan or I would ever have considered.
Azam Khan keeps wicket and bats at number three for the Galle Gladiators. He is also the son of their manager, Moin Khan. You might think that I am about to whinge on about nepotism but I’m not. Azam is not particularly tall but in all other respects is enormous and would fit nicely into the Northants set up, which clearly likes such attributes.
This afternoon I watched the second ODI from Kalle. At most UK venues the boundaries are brought in to about 60 yards so that everyone can be excited by an avalanche of sixes. Kalle is up country and clearly land has little or no value there. The stadium is vast in acreage and the boundary was marked inside the perimeter of the playing area. Nevertheless, much of the boundary was in excess of 80 metres distant. This is an incredible distance since it is nearly ninety yards. Malan must consider himself incredibly unlucky to have been caught on the boundary from a hit which would have travelled another five yards over the rope. He may go down in the record books as having been dismissed off the longest hit ever.
Earlier in the month in the Sheffield Shield South Australia had made a modest 200 in their first innings. Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris commenced their reply on the first evening and were not parted for over eight hours when Harris was dismissed for 239 with the score on 486. When the declaration came Pucovski was undefeated on 255. Pucovski scored 188 in his second Shield match and scored 243 aged 20 in the same competition the following season. He has been promoted to open for Victoria this season and has scored 495 runs in three innings, including a score of 202 in addition to his 255.
.Morgan Matters
The GJM finds one Lockdown much like any other
Rs in the lead sensation! Yes, Rangers are 2-1 up at home to Cardiff after 70 mins... and went on to win 3-2 with the winner coming from Ball in stoppage time... it seems a long time since the last win... it was the first game of the season wasn’t it?
Ex-Acton resident Sir Sean Connery is dead aged 90.
Thanks for Googlies 215. Strange XI: all Middlesex overseas players?
M Morkel is leaving Surrey, he said "the pandemic and the quarantine requirements have made travel challenging and it is no longer feasible to spend large amounts of time away from home".
Oz allrounder Shane Watson has now retired from all forms of cricket. He played 59 Tests, 190 ODIs and 58 T20s for Oz.
I Salisbury and J Kirtley are the new Sussex head coaches. Salisbury is in charge of first class and one-day cricket while Kirtley looks after T20.
The November Cricketer:
- the 2021 County Championship looks horribly complicated with 3 stages to it and the top 2 teams in Division One must play off for the Bob Willis Trophy; I think they are trying to drive away old traditionalists like me;
- I enjoyed the four page spread on the “Demon of Frome”, Somerset’s Colin Dredge, who was one of seven brothers, who are all pictured in the same photo;
- there is an interesting article on Somerset’s Phil Slocombe, who became an oenophile and a wine-trader in USA, France and London, he thinks there is too much one-day cricket, I agree there is too much 20 over cricket, I like the 50 over stuff;
- Darren Gough is an MBE; and
- Nick Friend says that Middlesex have “changed direction” by opting for youth over experience and points out that seeing Adam Rossington, Ryan Higgins, George Scott and Harry Podmore doing well elsewhere may have caused this change.
Chris Gayle has hit 1,000 sixes in T20. K Pollard, in 2nd place, has hit 694 and B McCullum, in third, 485. I am still on 7 myself.
Today's G has a four-page article entitled "Why athletes choke". We hear about Scott Boswell of Leicester "choking" in the C&G Trophy final in 2001 when he could not stop bowling wides and his second (and last) over lasted 14 balls. He only ever played one more game of professional cricket. We also hear about the semi-final of the 1999 World Cup when South Africa needed 9 off the last over with 9 wkts down and Lance Klusener hit the first 2 balls for four. However, off the fourth ball, Klusener started to run as soon as he had hit the ball, but Allan Donald did not move at all, he said his legs felt like jelly and when he did finally get moving, he was run out by yards and SA were out of the competition. These snippets are taken from a book by A Mark Williams and Tim Wigmore called The Best: How Elite Athletes Are Made.
Ex-Middx cricketer Bill Higginson received an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to Disability Cricket. I know the name: did he coach us at Finchley? Or was that Tom?
It is true that I do not take very much interest in footy these days, but I always look out for any news about Queens Park Rangers, so I was shocked to read in today's O that Rs man Eberechi Eze put in an "inspirational performance" for C Palace in the 4-1 win over Leeds, scoring the second goal and creating several other chances. Apparently he was a "£19.5 million summer signing". I knew Rs were prepared to sell him for a good price, but I never heard that it had actually happened until today!
Graham Cowdrey has died aged 56, he made 450 appearances for Kent.
England wicket-keeping coach Bruce French has retired after 11 years in the role. He played 16 Tests and 13 ODIs for England.
Ray Clemence has died aged 72 after a long battle with cancer.
The ECB is to take action after admitting that its pool of first-class umpires is "lacking in diversity" after J Holder and I Dawood accused them of downright racism in its selection of umps. Their campaign (Stump Out Racism) has highlighted the lack of non-whites amongst the first-class umpires in England. Holder said, "it's a concern of mine that not one black cricketer has passed on to the full-time panel in nearly 30 years".
It has now been agreed that England will play in Pakistan for the first time in 16 years ("tour" is too grand a term for the 2 T20s they will reluctantly play next October).
The ECB has now announced England's fixtures for 2021:
ODIs: 29/6 v SL Riverside; 1/7 v SL Oval; 4/7 v SL Bristol; 8/7 v Pak Cardiff; 10/7 v Pak Lord's; 13/7 v Pak Edgbaston.
T20s: 16/7 v Pak Trent Bridge; 18/7 v Pak Headingley; 20/7 v Pak OT.
Tests v Ind: 4-8/8 Trent Bridge; 12-16/8 Lord's; 25-29/8 Headingley; 2-6/9 Oval; 10-14/9 OT.
D Malan is no 1 in the World T20 batting rankings (he averages 48.7 with a strike rate of 146), but he knows that his place in the side is not guaranteed amongst some fierce competition.
There is a huge article in today's G about R’s man Anton Ferdinand, racism and John Terry which had its beginnings in a Premier League game against Chelsea in October 2011 when Terry said the words "fucking black cunt" in a spat with Anton that ended up in court.
S Harmison is very upset that his mate M Wood has got only a white-ball deal on the SA trip, calls it a "huge mistake" and he fears that Woody will now sign up for the IPL.
I am just hearing that a maximum of 4,000 fans are to be allowed at outdoor sporting events in low risk areas when the lockdown ends on December 2. Personally, I think it is too soon so pardon my lack of ecstasy.
Maurice Setters is dead aged 83. He is yet another to die of Alzheimer's.
C Silverwood says that J Buttler will open in the T20 series v SA starting on Fri 27/11 despite B Stokes wanting the role. J Root is not expected to feature.
Middlesex news: M Holman, M Andersson and T Walallawita have all signed up until the end of the 2023 season while Durham University student J Cracknell has signed a 2 year deal. Berks batsman D Lincoln has been released by Middlesex.
Following a number of allegations about racism in English cricket, the ECB has announced measures to increase "diversity" in the game, establish a "forum for race" and introduce an "equality code".
Chelsea are asking £75 from fans wanting to see their game against Leeds, but the fans are revolting!
IPL- Top Team
The Cricketer puts together the best XI from the eight-team competition in the United Arab Emirates, using just four overseas slots
KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab)
(14 matches, 670 runs, 55.83 ave, 129.34 SR)
The Orange Cap winner is the only choice to open the innings. The 28-year-old led a disjointed Kings XI side by example, with a handful of sterling knocks. His century in their opening match of the tournament might have been enough to see off RCB but too often his innings were in vain. That knock was the highest by any Indian in the IPL and the fourth best in the competition's history.
Shikhar Dhawan (Delhi Capitals)
(17 matches, 618 runs, 44.14 ave, 144.73 SR)
One of only two players to surpass 600 runs yet it was still an up and down campaign for Dhawan. He struck two of the five centuries during the competition, and four half-centuries alongside. But in 17 innings, four of them ended with him failing to score. Nevertheless, he was key to DC reaching their maiden final, scoring faster than any opener and is showing no sign of slowing down.
Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Capitals)
(17 matches, 519 runs, 34.60 ave, 123.27 SR)
“Iyer is a brilliant player, captain and person. He’s definitely grown in stature in the last 12 months. Hopefully, we can work together a bit more in the future.” Glowing praise from Ricky Ponting reflects the impact Iyer made on DC. Indeed, his leadership was hailed as one of the key reasons for their run to the final. Only three players scored more runs and if it weren't for his 65 in the final, Mumbai Indians could have strolled to an embarrassing win.
AB de Villiers (wk, Royal Challengers Bangalore)
(15 matches, 454 runs, 45.40 ave, 158.74 SR, 10 dismissals)
For the sixth time in seven seasons, the South African went past 400 runs in the tournament but this felt like his best performance in some years. Shifted down the order to perform the role of finisher, he was utterly sublime against the older ball. The highlights came via a stunning 73 off 33 balls to help beat Kolkata Knight Riders, and a half-century to inspire victory over Rajasthan Royals. And at 36 he performer ably with the gloves.
Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians)
(14 matches, 516 runs, 57.33 ave, 145.76 SR)
The IPL's breakout star, at least on a global level. The eventual champions' highest run-scorer was a pocket-rocket in the middle order, finishing with a better strike-rate than Jos Buttler or Andre Russell. His ability to leather the ball over the boundary punctuated MI's run to their fifth title. Missed out on a deserved century against RCB but it mattered little, as his metronomic consistency earned him something much more valuable.
Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings)
(14 matches, 232 runs, 46.60 ave, 171.85 SR, six wickets, econ 8.75)
It remains to be seen whether Jadeja will be part of the next CSK era after they missed out on the playoffs, but he still had time to offer a reminder of his star quality in the middle overs. Only four players scored their tournament runs at a faster rate, while the six wickets which came via his tricky left-arm spin proved he more than just helps make up the overs.
Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)
(14 matches, 281 runs, 35.12 ave, 178.98 SR)
The relentless Mumbai Indians batting order was often capped by some fireworks from Pandya, who is fit again and certainly firing. Contributions were often fleeting but nearly always entertaining. His unbeaten 60 from 21 balls against RR was a blink and you miss it eruption, as first Ankit Rajpoot and then Kartik Tyagi were each smashed for 27 from the 18th and 20th overs. A glorious cricketer who needs protecting.
Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals)
(14 matches, 113 runs, 18.83 ave, 179.36 SR, 20 wickets, econ 6.55)
The Barbados-born seamer elevated himself into exclusive company during the IPL thanks to his new ball expertise and some blistering spells. Rajasthan almost always got off to a good start thanks to the England man, whose 20 scalps don't do justice to his hostility and intensity, which is regularly questioned back home. He is pure box office.
Rashid Khan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
(16 matches, 35 runs, 8.75 ave, 116.66 SR, 20 wickets, econ 5.37)
The best leg-spinner in the world enjoyed perhaps his best tournament with some inspired, frugal spells punctuated by wickets and bamboozled batsmen. There isn't a major global league Rashid hasn't yet dominated. It was perhaps telling that his stand-out display came against Delhi Capitals when he claimed 3-7. He is a real nuisance with runs behind him.
Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians)
(15 matches, 5 runs, 166.66 SR, 27 wickets, econ 6.73)
The best seam bowler in the world across all formats? There is certainly an argument that when the ball is white, there are few better at any stage of an innings. Accurate with the new ball, potent and deadly with the old. Given when he is deployed, his economy rate of 6.73 is barely believable, particularly as he has 27 wickets to boot - the most by any Indian in a single tournament.
Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians)
(15 matches, 25 wickets, econ 7.97)
Saved his best for when his team needed it. His new-ball spell in the final virtually delivered the title for MI, taking 3-30 and bowling 12 dots. The back-to-back champions never looked back once he got Marcus Stoinis first up. Protected somewhat for the early overs and not exposed to the death, Boult's angles terrorise openers looking to stamp their authority while his short ball can act as a genuine surprise.
Strange Elevens
John Williams sent me this
Your jazz hat team seems to be stacked with Middlesex overseas players although I am surprised Nante got in ahead of Vincent. You seem to have confused Tommo with your mate Steve.
Seeing the jazz hat list reminded me of DCS's memorial service in Westminster Abbey on 1st July 1997. I had attended the service with Ken Biddle of Hatch End. We were outside the Abbey after the service and watching the incredible number of stars from all walks of life. Among them was a 21 year old very slim and youthful looking Jacques Kallis. Ken and I had got a taxi to the Abbey and we understood there was to be a do back at the Cricketers Club. Wondering how we were to get there we spotted a coach which had Cricketers Club on it. We thought how splendid it was to lay on a coach to the Cricketers so we jumped on board and ended up back there. Whilst there I bumped into an old friend - John Smith of Berkhamsted. I told him how thoughtful it was of club to lay on a coach. He looked somewhat miffed. It transpired that he had organised the coach which had not only brought people from the Abbey but had taken them there as well! Oops but nothing ventured nothing gained.
Here is a similar jazz hat XI, easily identifiable, which could have given the Middlesex boys a good game.
Glenn Turner
John Parker
Steve Smith
Graeme Hick
Phillip Hughes
Imran Khan
Tom Moody capt
Shakib Al Hasan
Nathan Lyon
Kemar Roach
Vanburn Holder
Glenn McGrath.
Hall of Shame
This section is reserved for those highly paid athletes who have yet to master the basics of their chosen profession
In their Monday Night match at West Ham, Aston Villa were trailing 2-1 with ten minutes to go when they were awarded a penalty. Their expensive signing from Brentford, Ollie Watkins, strode up leaned back and blasted the ball against the crossbar. Watkins has form on missing penalties. He has missed three of the last five he has taken. Why is this OK? Any professional footballer should be able to take and score at least nine out of ten. Directional kicking is a basic skill. Maybe they should fine those who miss a couple of months salary. It would focus the mind.
In the LPL and the South Arfrica/England white ball series local umpires are being used and for this reason two appeals per side are being allowed. This is just as well since there have been some appalling decisions. It is very difficult for right arm bowlers bowling over the wicket to gain LBW decisions against left-handed batsmen. In the third T20 Malan was fingered to a ball which clearly pitched outside leg stump. On replay it had landed six inches outside the line and the decision was overturned. In the LPL the splendidly named Umpire Hannibal had one overturned when the replay showed it pitching a foot outside leg stump. These two umpires were both standing about fifteen yards from where the ball pitched and got it hopelessly wrong. They were not marginal decisions.
In the third T20 Malan hit the ball to midwicket and set off for two. Bavuma fielded and threw to the keeper’s end where Malan would have been run out by some distance. However, de Kock failed to take the ball which bounced off his body and ran away. He acknowledged his error to all but instead of the game resuming the umpires referred the non-decision upstairs where the action was replayed endlessly before the off field umpire eventually confirmed what deKock had told the on field umpire at the time. Someone has to put a stop to unnecessary delays.
Ged Matters
Ged (Ian Harris) writes
The Heavy Rollers has been a cricket-watching group, primarily at Edgbaston, for more than 20 years. This year, for the first time, we were joined by some antipodean guests of Nigel Father-Barry’s.
I hesitate to use the term “the enemy” but let’s be frank about it, England cricket fans and Australian cricket fans do not exactly see eye to eye over cricket. But we were acting as hosts and we are British, so I thought I should help ensure that there would be no embarrassing silences or awkward moments while we were in the company of visitors from “the dark side”. So, I produced the following conversation starter pack on moral and ethical issues with an Ashes theme, in the style of the Radio 4 panel programme, The Moral Maze. As much as anything else, I thought the moral conundrums below might help us to locate The Line.
(1) Talking of lines, under precisely which circumstances is bodyline bowling morally justified – e.g. when the opposition has at least one batsman who you simply don’t seem able to dismiss any other way?
(2) What type of sandpaper is ethically acceptable material for “shining” the ball – please specify exact grit-grades and colours (e.g. yellow, undetectable-cricket-whites-colour)?
(3) Which of the following behaviours is permissible after one of your team’s players (e.g. Jenner) has had to retire hurt after ducking into a bouncer (e.g. from Snow)?
a. Bottle-throwing?
b. Can-throwing?
c. Partially-eaten pie-throwing?
d. Manhandling?
e. All of the above?
f. None of the above?
(4) At exactly what angle of deviation from the bat or glove does it become a moral imperative to walk rather than, Broad-ly speaking, wait for the umpire to raise his finger and then brave it out if the digit-of-doom fails to appear? Please provide your answer to the nearest second – rough estimates in degrees or even minutes will not be acceptable answers.
(5) Give examples of bar-room behaviour by a member of one team that would justify a member of the other team throwing a punch at the member of the first team in said bar? Would your answer be different if the punch were to land, rather than be the pugilists equivalent of a batsman wafting away at thin air? Does it make a difference if the pugilistic gesture were to be a friendly head-butt rather than a punch?
Googlies Website
All the back editions of Googlies can be found on the G&C website. There are also many photographs most of which have never appeared in Googlies.
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