BUMBLE AT THE TEST
JIMMY’S HAPPY ENDING
WHAT a change of ends can do for a bowler! Jimmy Anderson failed to take five wickets in an innings in his first seven Tests at Headingley but then he changed to the Football Stand End last year and took 10 wickets against Sri Lanka. And now he’s added another five against West Indies.
WRONG TO PUNISH BEN
I’M not keen on players being reprimanded for chastising themselves, as Ben Stokes was. It’s different if bad language is aimed at an opponent, as Kagiso Rabada’s send-off earlier this season clearly was. You want passion and commitment and that will spill over into flashpoints but surely you can say what you want to yourself!
YOUNG GUNS GO FOR IT
TWO fabulous tons from Kraigg Brathwaite (right) and Shai Hope. They had not played here before but quickly worked out the vagaries of this most unique of grounds. That is extraordinary from two lads still in their early 20s. They adapted to conditions quickly and showed it’s worth persevering with young talent.
THE LANDLORD OF ALES
TETLEY’S has long been the home brew of choice in Leeds but you can’t beat Timothy Taylor’s. They say timing is everything and we got in the Baht’ap on Saturday just as a new barrel of Landlord was going on. It was quite lively but, goodness me, 10 out of 10 for quality and clear as a bell at 4.3 per cent. It is the king of ales and doesn’t have far to travel from Keighley.
BROAD WOULDN’T PLAY BALL
ENGLAND enjoy their daily game of football before play and Jimmy Anderson showed a nifty piece of skill during his opening spell when he had a go at keepie-uppies but managed to kick the ball to midwicket. He looked at Stuart Broad to go and fetch it but he was having none of it and stood there, leaving Jimmy to go and get it himself.
WHEN I CASHED IT IN
DON’T know, dear reader, if you have spotted a taste of my singing skills on social media but some bright spark at Sky had the idea of taking me off to a karaoke booth at Tiger Tiger and dressing me as Johnny Cash (left) to belt out Folsom Prison Blues. There’s more to come on Twenty20 finals day. Freddie Flintoff is going to be Elvis and I’m Neil Diamond.
STONEMAN LOOKS THE PART
MARK STONEMAN batted really well. His feet were moving and he looked in good rhythm before he got an absolute snorter from Shannon Gabriel. So a tick for him but utter dejection from Tom Westley as he exited, looking down at the ground saying to himself, “What have I done?” He will know he shouldn’t have been playing at that one.