The Idler, Wednesday, July 17, 2019

It's the

Duckworth Lewis

tradition

 

WHAT a corker of a finish that was to the Cricket World Cup. So much at stake. England have now, at different times, held the World Cup in football, rugby and cricket. Two more runs and the Kiwis would have been current World Cup holders in rugby and cricket.

England at first seemed to have it wrapped up. Then New Zealand systematically unwrapped it. A tie – you don't get closer than that. Such drama! Such tension!

Then the arcane mathematics of the one-day game, in the Duckworth Lewis tradition. A Super Over, New Zealand to bat, 16 runs to win.

And finally it's England the winners by boundaries scored.

But what if it had been another tie? Rest assured, the Duckworth Lewis tradition has it covered. In one-day cricket there has to be a result.

They'd have trooped off the field into the Lord's Long Room to decide it in a bok-bok contest. Still no result and it would switch to armdruk at the bar counter.

And if still no result – yet another tie – they'd be back on the field for sudden death bokdrolspoeg, that bushveld game where you spit pellets of impala dung, the process lubricated by a mouthful of peach brandy. Yes, rugby is a-changing.

Ah, the subtle twists and turns of the one-day game. The camaraderie of cricket, enriched by an intertwining of the cultures and traditions of the participating nations.

There's a lot to be said for membership of the Commonwealth.

 

 

Netball success

 

STILL in Blighty, over in Liverpool there was more drama with our Proteas gals in an upset win against Jamaica in the Netball World Cup.

A win is a win. We'll bank that one, thank you. And we wish them well in the rest of the tournament. Are we as a nation beginning to get up off the canvas?

And now the Rugby World Cup in Japan is only months away. Can we salvage our reputation there?

I'd been thinking it could be a northern hemisphere side to take it this time round – England, Ireland or Wales. But the Super 12 final makes me think again. That was a humdinger. The Jaguares came much closer than the scoreline suggests. They crossed the Crusaders' line twice, then lost the ball.

What's the difference between a Jaguar and a Puma? Dunno. Some says it's the same animal.

But can Rassie put together something to spring a surprise? Draw on the overseas legions? We hope so. But time is short to build up an understanding and the gees.

No, we're not going to talk about the Currie Cup – not for the moment anyway. This is a respectable newspaper.

 

 

Trafalgar Square

 

WHEN Lord Nelson died he was 5 feet tall. His statue in London is 15 feet tall.

That's Horatio of 3:1.

 

 

Tailpiece

 

A BATSMAN is bowled first ball of the over. His replacement comes out and is caught behind, first ball.

Walking back to the pavilion he meets the incoming batsman, a pompous rival.

"Tough luck. Better luck next time," the other says facetiously.

"Yes, a shame to be right in the middle of a hat-trick. See you soon."

 

Last word

 

As I know more of mankind I expect less of them, and am ready now to call a man a good man upon easier terms than I was formerly. - Samuel Johnson