Rod Marsh during the Australian innings: 'You're not bowling fruit ( Read more... )

'Ro, d'you remember that gorgeous book we had once - The Test Match - by someone who played himself, I think it was - '
'Jack Hobbs. Well, that's a reasonably accurate description-'
'D'you remember the hero - Geoffrey?' ... 'Who made fifty - fifty - in a Test Match against the Australians ( Read more... )

They did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have no fingernails left.

Updating my journal while the Test Match is still on, because I can't quite concentrate on sailors ( Read more... )

Pinch me someone, I must be dreaming. Did England just play two days of good cricket? Batting and bowling and fielding and everything? Of course, I know that tomorrow they'll fall to pieces like a bourbon in hot tea, but am enjoying it right now.

The Guardian guide to the Ashes that came with the paper last Saturday included two cards for 'Ashes Bingo', with collectible items including Boycott saying 'My old ma could have caught that in her pinny', or an 'extended look at scorecard with cheering in background as streaker prances around outfield ( Read more... )

Good things about my birthday:

The post arrived before I left for work
Araucaria crossword in the Guardian (best clue 'I don't "move in predestinate grooves" (Foot)') - ETA 6 letters
England's bowlers
Dinner at St John with two of my oldest friends (I had chard & foie gras, saddle of rabbit, summer pudding)

Bad things about my birthday

The ( Read more... )