A Day To Be From Somewhere

Let us for once forget the loathsome fabulations of Trump, let us also forget the inanities foisted upon us in the name of Brexit 'debate'. Let us instead be English and wallow in a weekend of unaccustomed sporting triumph. South Africa have been beaten at Rugby Union, New Zealand at Rugby League, Panama at football, and Australia at cricket. I've already had a G&T to celebrate and now I've moved on to a South Australian Shiraz.

England, three cheers for the losers

Let us (as we say in thesis land) interrogate the merit of certain of these triumphs. Well, the defeat of South Africa was in a dead rubber but England did show some much needed gumption and we do seem to be witnessing the emergence of a class performer in Johnny May. In League, downing the Kiwis is not to be sniffed at but Australia remain the class of the pack. Nobody should dissolve into raptures over the 6-1 demolition of Panama at the World Cup but let us just pause and think how we would react to, say, Germany achieving such a result. We would exult at their professionalism. So for now let's bask in this unfamilair warm glow.

Which leaves only the cricket. Today's thriller was in the defensible (as opposed to the bastard child that is T20 - see too many previous posts) ODI format. It capped a 5-0 series win for England over a confused and under strength Aussie lineup. Shame. Poor little cheating sods. Bit strong? Maybe but, come on, they have earned opprobrium surely. And don't be fooled by the good losers/nice chaps mask they are wearing - they'll be back and ferocious in no time, so enjoy it while we can. Please also take note that as a curtain-raiser for the series against Australia, England conspired to lose to Scotland.

This Shiraz is jolly nice you know.

I played golf for the first time in more than ten months on Thursday. I was shit. It is golf tour this coming week. Bridgnorth is the venue under the tender stewardship of my little brother. One of the rewards for winning on tour is that you have to organise the next celebration. Heat wave predicted. Fun times. Back me to lose - with style. Hey ho, it's sunny.

Good news for you sports fans - now that the knock-out stages are on the horizon I promise to turn my mind to the World Cup. Bet you can't wait.