A quick-round up of some of the weekend’s talking points.
Congratulations to new T20 champions Hampshire – and sincere commiserations to Somerset (losing finalists for the second successive year). What a remarkable finish! If you were at the Rose Bowl, get in touch and tell us about what must have been an extraordinary atmosphere for the last few balls.
The England selectors have not dropped Alastair Cook, naming an unchanged side on Sunday morning. What a surprise. In other news, the ECB announced that the Pope remains Catholic, Jeremy Clarkson is interested in cars, and air hostesses wear lots of make-up.
Fleet Street’s commentators took differing views on the Cook situation. In the Observer, Vic Marks argued that deselection would accrue longer-term benefits by taking the heat off Cook until he (theoretically) regains form. But the Sunday Telegraph’s Steve James asked us to leave poor Cook alone; the fuss is nit-picking and England are in fine shape.
Elsewhere, interesting stuff from Dileep Premachandran – who outlines how Asian cricketers could boost their test credentials by ditching the IPL for county cricket.
Finally, from Colwyn Bay, Wales, comes news of Lancashire supporters Carole and Mike Russell. The retired couple were refused entry to Glamorgan’s Natwest Pro 40 tie because they were carrying two metal spoons, for their picnic strawberries.
Three very good games on Saturday and a great finish to the final. Hampshire tried to throw victory away but somehow still won.
I’ve seen a few 70 years old who are dangerous with a spoon but normally to themselves. Good to see the normal person being criminalised for the idiocy of the few.