Angelo Mathews has never spoken publicly about the Big Three takeover of our sport. At least not with words. But his series-winning Headingley masterpiece in June felt like a statement of defiance. It was a century that stuck a finger in the eye of the English cricket establishment and proved that off-field clout, and all it pays for, is still no match for on-field nous. As if to demonstrate the inequity, England pinch.

On a sleepy March Sunday when the world has turned a shade of brilliant white for the second time in three weeks, it seems incongruous to be musing on the retirement of a cricketer. But actually it is appropriate, as this feels like no ordinary day and Kevin Pietersen was no ordinary cricketer. In the back row of seats on the eastern side of the Oval, in front of the ageless gasholders as the distinctive afternoon warmth of September, muggy but with a hint of changing temperatu.

First up, The Vaccines at Leamington Assembly. Thinking doors opened at 6 we caught the train about 7pm. It turns out that doors were at 7 so we ended up catching all of the bounds. Very loud and lots of strobe lighting. Short, sharp shocks of songs and a set that lasted about an hour. The set list went something like this.

Oh captain, my captain. So at last, after four months, my team won a game. A 136 partnership for the 9th wicket, and the final wicket falling with almost certainly 3 balls of the match left. Our fearful trip is done;. The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,.

Taking arms against a sea of troubles. Somewhere in the Quisling Clinic. The difference between Quisling and Petain was one of approach and ending.

For the end of the year, a reprise of my accounts of the 2016 season. I doubt I shall ever watch quite so much first-class cricket again, but I seem to have made some hay while the sun shone. Many thanks, and a Happy New Year, to all who have taken the trouble to read, comment or Tweet. Through a glass, darkly. In Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Season. All the Time in the World. 8220; Zak Chappell impresses .

Posted by man in a barrel. Asymp; Leave a comment. The supposed Inca princess with a voice that could span 4 octaves. That by itself makes revivals problematic. In truth, though, it adds an element of the grotesque but nothing of real interest to the show. Margaret Preece took on the burden and performed like a proper bump-and-grind trouper. Stewart Permutt added his 1930s, Eric Blore. Posted by man in a barrel. Asymp; Leave a comment. Posted by man in a barrel.

VfB Stuttgart v FC St. FC Schalke 04 v FC Shakhtar Donetsk.