Sad to see that Australian leg spinner Bob Holland died earlier today. I watched him make his Test debut at the ripe old age of 38 against the Windies at The Gabba in 1984.
This lady must be pretty tough to keep going despite the injuries talked in this article! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/41321515
Speaking of tough and cycling, I'd say this guy must have rhino hide around his nether regions... https://stv.tv/news/east-central/1398035-scots-cyclist-smashes-around-the-world-cycle-record/
Probably the last thing England wanted before the Ashes was one of the key players to get himself into trouble. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/41399632
It will be sad if he misses out - I suspect the Bay 13 crew at the MCG will have already been practising their one liners in anticipation...
This is interesting - an England selector trying to get the ECB to change their mind: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/41447783 I did think at the time that the fact that they took the time to the game was officially abandoned, rather than stopped was ridiculous. I don't think they would've taken that approach if a player had been hit by the bolt, but the match would've probably been abandoned straight away if that had happened. Also, Northants are unhappy at the points deduction that cost them promotion but I don't think they're going to appeal.
Pretty much title number 4 for Hamilton. 59 points ahead with 100 to go and I don't think he will have a Vettel/Ferrari type melt down.
Apparently, Pakistan are going to be the first team to beat Ireland in a Test match (weather permitting) - it was agreed at a meeting in Auckland that it would take place before Pakistan play 2 Tests against England in May. Interesting that the ECB hasn't said anything about the status of Ireland players in terms of county cricket now that they are a full Test playing nation.
TBC, but the quote from the CEO of Cricket Ireland implies that it'll be there, probably at the same place where they have hosted ODIs: http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20999394/ireland-confirm-pakistan-first-test-opponents
I captained a Northwood Town cricket team years ago in which Warren Deutrom, the Ireland cricket CEO. opened the batting. An aggressive batsman and a lovely lad. I seem to remember his father Malcolm was Chairman of the club.
This winter could be interesting - Middlesex have decided to appeal the 2 point deduction, which would relegate Somerset, who are looking at the possibility of a legal challenge should the ECB find in favour of Middlesex. I'm not sure what the implication would be if the ECB decided that the deduction would be reduced to 1 point, putting the 2 teams on equal points. My guess is that Middlesex would still be relegated as Somerset had 4 wins, while Middlesex had 3.
Probably just go around in circles - seemed a harsh decision in the first place if the hold up was down to the crossbow incident. As for future cricket - looks like as with all these sports now days the authorities are going to meddle around with it to make the game "more attractive" http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/41605940
BBC Sport decided to make the decision by the ECB a "Have your say" story - the amount of comments about the contrived match to win Middlesex the title last year at Somerset's expense, which all forgot the detail that it was contrived between Middlesex and Yorkshire.
Wow - Australia beat the All Blacks 23-18 in Brisbane. Scratching my head trying to remember when they last beat them.
Coffee percolating, toast and scrambled eggs cooking nicely - time to throw some poms to the Aussie lions...
