The domestic season in England is well under way and in the Friends Provident one day series, where the players play in pyjamas and have silly American Football style names like “Sussex Sharks” and “Yorkshire Phoenix”. Well the one day game has taken a turn for the bizarre by the introduction of the “referral” system, whereby each team can refer decisions made by the on-field umpire to the off-field third umpire, who has the benefit of the television replay.

The Pakistani ball tampering scandal isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Every day that new revelations about the scandal emerge from the murky media waters. And every day, an extra chip is taken out of the good name of Cricket. A lot has been said about the spirit of the game, and how damaging this whole debacle is going to be.
So as something of a quick interlude, may I present two cricketing items that’ll remind you why you love this game. It won’t make the scandal go away, but it’ll be a quick hiatus from it all.
Number 1: One …read more