Tag: game

The Beautiful Devon Village of Kentisbeare - 1947!

UK: Yorkshire Puddings Are Made of It – Dead Fish Are Covered in It – On Why the MCC is “Wrong”!

My Dad learned cricket from the rich-boys who played on pristine pitches in the overwise bombed-out city of Leicester. These were Grammar School (posh) boys and my Dad was definitely not allowed to play. He was from an averagely poor working-class background. What he did was cleverly make himself useful to these privileged fools – so that they would slowly let him into a little bit of their affluent world. This is how he learned to play cricket. Many years later, when I was a child, the BBC would screen six-hours of cricket on a Sunday – I think BBC 2 – and my Dad would explain the game to me. This is how I learned to understand the rules of cricket. My Dad went on to found Tiverton Cricket Club as a player-manager – and I used to go with him as a child to roll the pitch a day before each match. On occasion, I would be at the game – mingling with the players – as I was young – I did not grasp “opposing sides” thing too well.

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A video of a wicket during Saltburn's win over Norton in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has gone viral for an alleged incident of cheating

UK: Weird News from England – Saltburn Cricket Club ‘Clicking’ Scandal Goes Viral! (29.7.2026)

Anyone who knows cricket – will understand that there is a lot going when the ball is being bowled. Add to this the players talking, shouting, running about, and the noise from the crowd and the general environment, as well as the weather conditions – I would say it is impossible to a) make a loud enough noise to fool the Umpire (simulating a leather ball is hitting a wooden bat), whilst b) doing this so as not to make it obvious you are attempting to cheat. There is now a viral investigation where cricket enthusiasts are watching past videos of Saltburn CC games – to see if the alleged fielder is regularly doing this. A recent video can be seen on the BBC coverage of this story – and it looks to me like a mannerism – but I could be wrong. More evidence is needed. Apparently, despite being local cricket, numerous videos are available of Saltburn CC playing matches – but failing that (the situation may not be obvious whilst filming at a distance) – the players might have to be interviewed and a confession extracted if this matter is to be resolved. There is another possibility. As Saltburn CC seems to be doing rather well for itself – has it fallen victim to malicious intent from an unknown cause?

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Each 45-Minute Half is Artificially Extended to 48-Minutes!

US: Explaining the Ridiculous FIFA “Hydration-Breaks”! (6.7.2026)

As football is traditionally a winter sport in the UK – hot weather is usually not an issue. However, where British teams have had to play in the heat abroad – water bottles are often placed near the side-line. Players drink quickly during natural breaks in the game – not during specific breaks. Therefore, “Hydration-Breaks” are a cynical attempt by the US to penetrate their hideous form of capitalism into the interior of the footballing game. What matters for them is commerce – not skill. The audience exists not to understand the game – but merely to “consume” in an ignorant manner. In fact, the more ignorant the better – as such a state allows the individual to be parted from their money in a much easier manner. Coaches, understanding the artificial nature of these breaks – are using them as unusual “half-times” where players can re-group and alter their shape or change their approach. All this has nothing to do with genuine football and is a contrivance. Indeed, it is altering the internal structure of the game. Once the World Cup has left the US – these breaks should be dead and buried.

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England Players Ask Manager "Which Side of the Ball Should We Kick?"

UK: BBC Sphincter “Opens” To Devastating Affect! (4.7.2026)

Furthermore, middle-class parents worked in professions where having unofficial and discreet “time-off work” during school hours was fairly normal and expected – a sort of “perk” due to their social position. I know this, as I know live in one of these middle-class areas – where parents are expected to man-mark their children throughout the day and protect them from light, dark, insects, wind, rain, and whatever else might unexpectedly come their way. Nothing must hinder their smooth entry and egress to and from school each day. In other working-class areas – the tradition of being “duffed-up” at break-times or going-home times still prevails. Mexico, as a co-host, and a much more steadier footballing nation (Mexico played in the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 and has hosted or co-hosted the tournament three-times – but has never won it) should see-off England. England is world class at the front – but the English defence is about as reliable as the water-tight doors on the Titanic! Of course, England might surprise us, but either-way, playing an England match at 1am in the morning is ludicrous and disrespectful to the country that founded football and gave the sport to the world. Children staggering into school the next day is just very poor form indeed – but here we all are!

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FIBA Basketball World Cup releases a post on Feb. 26, 2026. (Photo from FIBA Basketball World Cup on its Facebook account)

Japan: US-controlled FIBA Describe China Basket-Ball Win as “Sneaky” – Following Dramatic Last-Gasp Come-Back! (2.3.2026)

My interest in basket-ball is “zero” – despite my daughters having to play “net-ball” at school (a slightly different – but related game). Of course, this is an Odious US game – and I would much rather watch a sedate game of cricket (there was nothing “sedate” about the West Indies at their peak). However, over the years I have been contacted here and there by “modern” Mainland Chinese people (usually male academics) who for some reason find basket-ball enthralling. They know the names of all the US players (?) and think that every other European country must share in this obsession. When confronted with this banality – my eyes simply glaze-over. But – we are where we are. I believe that during WWII – the anti-Japanese racism employed by the US government (as part of the war-effort) – involved a “pop song” entitled “We’re Gonna Have to Sl’p the D’rty Little J’p” song by Carson Robison.

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Playing Cricket in the Back Yards of UK Cities!

UK: British Council Film Archive ([1950] – Cricket Documentary! (25.9.2025)

At his peak, however, he was a very good all-rounder wielding the bat and ball. When a child, my father taught me all the rules of cricket and this is why I know a) how to play the game, and b) what is going on when watching it (we support Leicestershire County Cricket Club – and we watched them play once). I have tried to teach my partner and children – but the modern youth now have the internet to take their attention! I have played “in-door” cricket – as well as cricket on a proper pitch – and I never wore a helmet (I couldn’t afford one). When standing at the crease – the mind must be calm and expansive – clear and reflective. Peace and self-control must permeate reality – whilst the bat and ball must be properly utilised in a technically perfect manner. There is no hatred for the opposition – or unnecessary attachment to one’s team-mates – all are equal to the true gentleman. This is why I refer to cricket as a form of English Confucianism!

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