Yvette Cooper doing the rounds this am, ‘competently’ spouting numbers and persuading no one. Is there anyone in the government who isn’t charmlessly robotic?
Lies, damn lies and Government statistics as someone probably once said. Being Home Secretary is probably the most difficult and thankless Cabinet job - everyone wants you to be "tough" on everything. The notion of a charismatic liberal Home Secreatry seems laughable currently - all we seem to want is someone who would taser you if you looked at them in a funny way.
I mean, it's not like the old days when Rab Butler would throw a custard pie at Richard Dimbleby - ah, whatever happened to good old fashioned political slapstick? The last Home Secretary to have a sense of humour was Theresa May - whatever happened to her?
Maybe so, though Theresa like many pols only seemed to reveal her soh after leaving government. I think that governments historically have tended to leaven the tough with some likeability. Of course we voters don’t appear to be in much of a mood to like anything or anyone, but it’s grim that politicians seem to have given up trying.
In recent years we;ve seen the likes of Ed Balls and Michael Portillo show a sense of homour in media work, something that they never showed when serving in the Cabinet.
How’s Ukraine? Thriving I hope.
Politicians seem to think that we like them earnest and serious. I’m not so sure. Boris is the obvious exception and he did alright. Salmond could also be funny. I think we might appreciate a sense of the ridiculous rather more than most politicians think.
Ukraine is good, thanks. Actually a lot quieter in terms of sirens than a couple of years ago, in fact most of the reports of drone attacks in recent days have been Ukranian drones heading for Russia, rather than the other way around.
Meanwhile my wife gets to spend time with her father who’s now 72 and not in the best of health, and I get a quiet couple of weeks off what’s been a very stressful job for the past year or so.
I’ll be up in your neck of the woods in a couple of weeks’ time, have a family reunion in Glasgow and will be showing Mrs Sandpit the Loch Ness monster, Edinburgh, and some of the surrounding scenery!
'will be showing Mrs Sandpit the Loch Ness monster'
Jeez, I'm definitely in a Carry On mood this morning.
Hmm, worth bearing in mind that could still be Arts Festival time in Edinburgh - so rammed, prices in the eating places jacked higher and menus slashed, etc. etc.
It’ll be the last couple of days of the Festival, so yes in and out the same day, and probably fast food for lunch!
Oh good - just so you aren't disappointed. Edinburgh itself is still very much there despite the drifts of litter left by Fringe handout touts in the streets.
Yeah we’re expecting the crazy, but I’m sure the pile of litter won’t be so high that it blocks the view of the castle!
Morning all. Cant see them polling much into double figures after the initial surge of interest. Theyll run at kind of Green levels or just under - 5 to 10%. Enough to hamstring or damage any party with left/Gaza credentials polling well witn the youngest cohort.
YouGov is out and sees little change Ref 27 (-2) Lab 21 (-1) Con 17 (=) LD 15 (+1) Grn 11 (=) SNP 3 (=)
I imagine someone will go through the pointless exercise of trying to "Baxter" these numbers. Last week's Reform win in Bromley looks ominous for Conservative prospects in the east and south of the capital next year. We might well see the Conservatives win Boroughs off Labour but at the same time lose them to Reform or NOC (Bromley, Bexley).
My local contacts tell me the Conservatives ran a strong campaign in Bromley Common but still came up short.
The next contests of personal interest will be those in Addlestone and Hinchley Wood, Claygate & Oxshott in a fortnight or so. August by elections are always strange and generally have low turnout.
With the death of a County Councillor in Camberley West (another Con-LD marginal) earlier this week, Surrey now has 40 Conservative Councillors, 38 Opposition Councillors and 3 vacancies so if the Conservatives fail to win any of the vacancies, they will technically be a minority administration, not that it matters much but we will probably have elections to the new Shadow Authorities next spring.
In London I guess if you offered the Tories loss of Bexley and Bromley to NOC (but remaining largest party?) in return for holding Harrow, Hillingdon and Kensington and regaining Westminster and having a tilt at either Barnet or Wandsworth they'd 'bank" Holding at an historically low level is not really shooting for the stars of course
I could see the Conservatives, like the LDs, being pushed out of many London Boroughs completely and their councillor numbers concentrated in just five or six areas.
Ealing, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets look ripe for extinction
Edit - and Kingston
Growing up in Kingston, when the Tories had 40 out of 50 councillors and seemed unassailable, that would have seemed impossible back then. And yet it is quite possible. Mind boggling.
Unlikely, the Tories are likely to do OK in London next year as the Labour vote is well down on 2022 too, the LD vote little changed and Reform don't really register much in the capital beyond the Essex and Kent borders
Do I hear the sound of whistling in the wind? I lived for a long time in Castle Point, once a Tory bastion (although it did go Labour once) and now, AIUI there are no Tory councillors there. Odd assortment of local parties plus, now, one Reformer.
Yvette Cooper doing the rounds this am, ‘competently’ spouting numbers and persuading no one. Is there anyone in the government who isn’t charmlessly robotic?
What was striking was the extent to which even now Cooper is relying for her word salad on blaming the last government instead of being able to point simply and clearly to how this government has fulfilled its promises to smash the gangs and stop the boats. The point about government is the power to govern and the unique power to get stuff done, and for voters 12 months + is a long time. The chances of a Reform government are not decreasing.
Meanwhile the voters look to the US, where the change of government resulted in a very swift containment of the illegal immigration problem.
Now of course the circumstances of the UK and US are very different, but there’s still millions of voters who don’t understand why the illegal crossers aren’t being immediately returned to France, or at least held in a tent city on an old airbase somewhere rather than in hotels.
The change of government in the US has also seen US citizens rounded up for being brown, the rule of law undermined, the economy battered by an incoherent tariff policy, a budget set to massively increase national debt and Ukraine being hung out to dry, while the US President talks about 1500% price cuts and can't remember he appointed Jerome Powell.
I don't think many UK voters are looking at the clusterf*** that is Trump and wishing we had that over here. Let's check the polling: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/trackers/has-trump-been-a-good-president 57% in Great Britain say Trump has been a terrible president, 13% a poor president, 11% average, 9% good, 7% don't know and just 4% great.
Yvette Cooper doing the rounds this am, ‘competently’ spouting numbers and persuading no one. Is there anyone in the government who isn’t charmlessly robotic?
Lies, damn lies and Government statistics as someone probably once said. Being Home Secretary is probably the most difficult and thankless Cabinet job - everyone wants you to be "tough" on everything. The notion of a charismatic liberal Home Secreatry seems laughable currently - all we seem to want is someone who would taser you if you looked at them in a funny way.
I mean, it's not like the old days when Rab Butler would throw a custard pie at Richard Dimbleby - ah, whatever happened to good old fashioned political slapstick? The last Home Secretary to have a sense of humour was Theresa May - whatever happened to her?
Maybe so, though Theresa like many pols only seemed to reveal her soh after leaving government. I think that governments historically have tended to leaven the tough with some likeability. Of course we voters don’t appear to be in much of a mood to like anything or anyone, but it’s grim that politicians seem to have given up trying.
In recent years we;ve seen the likes of Ed Balls and Michael Portillo show a sense of homour in media work, something that they never showed when serving in the Cabinet.
How’s Ukraine? Thriving I hope.
Politicians seem to think that we like them earnest and serious. I’m not so sure. Boris is the obvious exception and he did alright. Salmond could also be funny. I think we might appreciate a sense of the ridiculous rather more than most politicians think.
Ukraine is good, thanks. Actually a lot quieter in terms of sirens than a couple of years ago, in fact most of the reports of drone attacks in recent days have been Ukranian drones heading for Russia, rather than the other way around.
Meanwhile my wife gets to spend time with her father who’s now 72 and not in the best of health, and I get a quiet couple of weeks off what’s been a very stressful job for the past year or so.
I’ll be up in your neck of the woods in a couple of weeks’ time, have a family reunion in Glasgow and will be showing Mrs Sandpit the Loch Ness monster, Edinburgh, and some of the surrounding scenery!
'will be showing Mrs Sandpit the Loch Ness monster'
Jeez, I'm definitely in a Carry On mood this morning.
Hmm, worth bearing in mind that could still be Arts Festival time in Edinburgh - so rammed, prices in the eating places jacked higher and menus slashed, etc. etc.
It’ll be the last couple of days of the Festival, so yes in and out the same day, and probably fast food for lunch!
Oh good - just so you aren't disappointed. Edinburgh itself is still very much there despite the drifts of litter left by Fringe handout touts in the streets.
Yeah we’re expecting the crazy, but I’m sure the pile of litter won’t be so high that it blocks the view of the castle!
Oh, it happens. The council have got into bed rather too tightly with the events developers at times. I don't think their [edit] combined reputation has ever recovered from the New Year when just before Christmas they put up hoardings along Princes Street precisely to block the Castle from view (to stop freebie views of the fireworks or music performance or both in the Gardens between the two). Went down every bit as badly as the more recent Christmas they chainsawed some trees in the Gardens to make more space for tat and hot dog (well, upmarket ones ...) stands.
Depends how you look at it - I have TNT and not Sky
The TNT coverage has been shit, they usually take the host commentary, which is really annoying and biased towards Australia.
Sky used to send their own full commentary team.
But Sky are cheapskates these days, more so than TNT.
It’s so they can spend money on Premier League rights, plus between 1990 and 2014 Sky showed 35 Ashes tests from Australia and England only won 4 matches that weren't dead rubbers and 3 of those victories came in 1 series over the space of a month, that's a pretty poor return for Sky.
The first working day on my new business. An awful lot of scoping work done before we pulled the trigger to get started, and now even more work to do now that we're actually incorporated.
Business is fun. The other two owners of this business are first time owners. One just asked me "how many businesses is this now?" I had to think. SIX.
Depends how you look at it - I have TNT and not Sky
The TNT coverage has been shit, they usually take the host commentary, which is really annoying and biased towards Australia.
Sky used to send their own full commentary team.
But Sky are cheapskates these days, more so than TNT.
It’s so they can spend money on Premier League rights, plus between 1990 and 2014 Sky showed 35 Ashes tests from Australia and England only won 4 matches that weren't dead rubbers and 3 of those victories came in 1 series over the space of a month, that's a pretty poor return for Sky.
Now if only Sky would drop the F1, then UK viewers would be able to use the excellent F1TV direct-to-consumer service to which most of the rest of the World has access.
Depends how you look at it - I have TNT and not Sky
The TNT coverage has been shit, they usually take the host commentary, which is really annoying and biased towards Australia.
Sky used to send their own full commentary team.
If you're going to hear "seven for three hundred", might as well watch it on the Seven Network https://7plus.com.au/
The last Ashes, local sandpit rights got syndicated from the blooming Aussie network, with a very partisan commentary and analysis team, not a single Pom in sight.
At least Sky/TNT will have a couple of Convicts on their broadcast team.
Depends how you look at it - I have TNT and not Sky
The TNT coverage has been shit, they usually take the host commentary, which is really annoying and biased towards Australia.
Sky used to send their own full commentary team.
But Sky are cheapskates these days, more so than TNT.
It’s so they can spend money on Premier League rights, plus between 1990 and 2014 Sky showed 35 Ashes tests from Australia and England only won 4 matches that weren't dead rubbers and 3 of those victories came in 1 series over the space of a month, that's a pretty poor return for Sky.
Now if only Sky would drop the F1, then UK viewers would be able to use the excellent F1TV direct-to-consumer service to which most of the rest of the World has access.
If they dropped the NFL we could also watch the Gamepass coverage
I'm in Birmingham today. It appears to be Closed. Empty. Is it always like this?
I'm guessing it's similar in most provincial cities. Working from home and the shift to online retail leaves far fewer people in the city centre. In Birmingham, this has been exacerbated by the concentration of the remaining retail trade in the Bullring, leaving everywhere else empty. And it's the summer holidays.
Depends how you look at it - I have TNT and not Sky
The TNT coverage has been shit, they usually take the host commentary, which is really annoying and biased towards Australia.
Sky used to send their own full commentary team.
But Sky are cheapskates these days, more so than TNT.
It’s so they can spend money on Premier League rights, plus between 1990 and 2014 Sky showed 35 Ashes tests from Australia and England only won 4 matches that weren't dead rubbers and 3 of those victories came in 1 series over the space of a month, that's a pretty poor return for Sky.
Now if only Sky would drop the F1, then UK viewers would be able to use the excellent F1TV direct-to-consumer service to which most of the rest of the World has access.
F1 is one of Sky’s Crown Jewels, alongside the Premier League, and England’s summer cricket content.
Laughably Sky also place a great lot in the Super League and the pub game that is darts.
Morning all. Cant see them polling much into double figures after the initial surge of interest. Theyll run at kind of Green levels or just under - 5 to 10%. Enough to hamstring or damage any party with left/Gaza credentials polling well witn the youngest cohort.
YouGov is out and sees little change Ref 27 (-2) Lab 21 (-1) Con 17 (=) LD 15 (+1) Grn 11 (=) SNP 3 (=)
I imagine someone will go through the pointless exercise of trying to "Baxter" these numbers. Last week's Reform win in Bromley looks ominous for Conservative prospects in the east and south of the capital next year. We might well see the Conservatives win Boroughs off Labour but at the same time lose them to Reform or NOC (Bromley, Bexley).
My local contacts tell me the Conservatives ran a strong campaign in Bromley Common but still came up short.
The next contests of personal interest will be those in Addlestone and Hinchley Wood, Claygate & Oxshott in a fortnight or so. August by elections are always strange and generally have low turnout.
With the death of a County Councillor in Camberley West (another Con-LD marginal) earlier this week, Surrey now has 40 Conservative Councillors, 38 Opposition Councillors and 3 vacancies so if the Conservatives fail to win any of the vacancies, they will technically be a minority administration, not that it matters much but we will probably have elections to the new Shadow Authorities next spring.
In London I guess if you offered the Tories loss of Bexley and Bromley to NOC (but remaining largest party?) in return for holding Harrow, Hillingdon and Kensington and regaining Westminster and having a tilt at either Barnet or Wandsworth they'd 'bank" Holding at an historically low level is not really shooting for the stars of course
I could see the Conservatives, like the LDs, being pushed out of many London Boroughs completely and their councillor numbers concentrated in just five or six areas.
Ealing, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets look ripe for extinction
Edit - and Kingston
Growing up in Kingston, when the Tories had 40 out of 50 councillors and seemed unassailable, that would have seemed impossible back then. And yet it is quite possible. Mind boggling.
Unlikely, the Tories are likely to do OK in London next year as the Labour vote is well down on 2022 too, the LD vote little changed and Reform don't really register much in the capital beyond the Essex and Kent borders
What are you suggesting is unlikely? If you mean the Tories getting no seats in Kingston they currently have 2 and arent likely to be gaining in Davey central from the dominant LDs, they might hold on in their last redouts though. More generally I agree, in London they'll do better in relative terms than in the wider delayed county and the district fights
Significant if true because it means Ukraine can trade intelligence for American help, which may be why Trump has been more engaged recently. Russia's newest submarine entered service about 10 days ago.
How many are aware that around a third of the casualties at Hiroshima were Korean ?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8zlwd3e42o ...A combination of these conditions - poor treatment, hazardous work and structural discrimination - all contributed to a disproportionately high death toll among Koreans. According to the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association, the Korean fatality rate was 57.1%, compared to the overall rate of about 33.7%. About 70,000 Koreans were exposed to the bomb. By year's end, some 40,000 had died...
A combination of distrust of anyone connected with Japan, and a deep societal prejudice against the 'disfigured' meant returning survivors were more or less ignored in Korea, too.
I once read an article about a western (US or Oz, I forget which) prisoner-of-war who was working deep-down in a ship at one of the bomb sites (Nagasaki, perhaps). ISTR he was believed to be one of the nearest to the blast's epicentre to survive.
How many are aware that around a third of the casualties at Hiroshima were Korean ?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8zlwd3e42o ...A combination of these conditions - poor treatment, hazardous work and structural discrimination - all contributed to a disproportionately high death toll among Koreans. According to the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association, the Korean fatality rate was 57.1%, compared to the overall rate of about 33.7%. About 70,000 Koreans were exposed to the bomb. By year's end, some 40,000 had died...
A combination of distrust of anyone connected with Japan, and a deep societal prejudice against the 'disfigured' meant returning survivors were more or less ignored in Korea, too.
I once read an article about a western (US or Oz, I forget which) prisoner-of-war who was working deep-down in a ship at one of the bomb sites (Nagasaki, perhaps). ISTR he was believed to be one of the nearest to the blast's epicentre to survive.
This country is being driven mad by a sense of entitlement but even we are not that stupid.
Are we?
I'm sorry - it's early in the morning for me but I simply don't understand that comment at all. What do you mean by a "sense of entitlement" and to what extent are we being "driven mad" by it? It's just one of those throwaway comments such as "the whole country's run by woke" which turns up here too often and needs to be challenged.
Politics is very self indulgent at the moment, where people make choices that they don't think have consequences. Corbyn, Farage, Brexit, anti-vaccine and anti-woke are all examples of this.
As much as I don't hold a candle for Corbyn and his lot, he did at least get people thinking about tuition fees. Now, he absolutely didn't want to consider what it would take to change the system, but the centrist politicians have been thoroughly indulgent in terms of borrow and spend.
I don't follow your logic. The point of tuition fees whether you agree with them or not is to reduce borrow and spend, and is an example of not being indulgent.
This country is being driven mad by a sense of entitlement but even we are not that stupid.
Are we?
I'm sorry - it's early in the morning for me but I simply don't understand that comment at all. What do you mean by a "sense of entitlement" and to what extent are we being "driven mad" by it? It's just one of those throwaway comments such as "the whole country's run by woke" which turns up here too often and needs to be challenged.
Politics is very self indulgent at the moment, where people make choices that they don't think have consequences. Corbyn, Farage, Brexit, anti-vaccine and anti-woke are all examples of this.
As much as I don't hold a candle for Corbyn and his lot, he did at least get people thinking about tuition fees. Now, he absolutely didn't want to consider what it would take to change the system, but the centrist politicians have been thoroughly indulgent in terms of borrow and spend.
I don't follow your logic. The point of tuition fees whether you agree with them or not is to reduce borrow and spend, and is an example of not being indulgent.
They borrow and spend for the old but not the young, that's the point. And government tried to pretend that unpaid student debt didn't need to be factored in to government accounts.
How many are aware that around a third of the casualties at Hiroshima were Korean ?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8zlwd3e42o ...A combination of these conditions - poor treatment, hazardous work and structural discrimination - all contributed to a disproportionately high death toll among Koreans. According to the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association, the Korean fatality rate was 57.1%, compared to the overall rate of about 33.7%. About 70,000 Koreans were exposed to the bomb. By year's end, some 40,000 had died...
A combination of distrust of anyone connected with Japan, and a deep societal prejudice against the 'disfigured' meant returning survivors were more or less ignored in Korea, too.
I once read an article about a western (US or Oz, I forget which) prisoner-of-war who was working deep-down in a ship at one of the bomb sites (Nagasaki, perhaps). ISTR he was believed to be one of the nearest to the blast's epicentre to survive.
Depends how you look at it - I have TNT and not Sky
The TNT coverage has been shit, they usually take the host commentary, which is really annoying and biased towards Australia.
Sky used to send their own full commentary team.
But Sky are cheapskates these days, more so than TNT.
It’s so they can spend money on Premier League rights, plus between 1990 and 2014 Sky showed 35 Ashes tests from Australia and England only won 4 matches that weren't dead rubbers and 3 of those victories came in 1 series over the space of a month, that's a pretty poor return for Sky.
Now if only Sky would drop the F1, then UK viewers would be able to use the excellent F1TV direct-to-consumer service to which most of the rest of the World has access.
It’s not exactly difficult to get in the Uk - my F1TV subscription is paid to Amazon UK every month. Just need to VPN to watch (reality is I have a fire stick that pretends to be in Amsterdam which I only use for F1)
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
So they outbid Sky by removing their production costs while significantly reducing the quality of the product - at least test match special will be going to Australia
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
So they outbid Sky by removing their production costs while significantly reducing the quality of the product - at least test match special will be going to Australia
Test match special is just as bad. It might be a pleasant listen but its Cook, Vaughan, Finn, Tuffers and a load of non cricketers. It's an analysis free zone. They are like Sky when it was Botham, Holding, Bubble, where the suggested tactics were bowl faster, slog it.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
Yvette Cooper doing the rounds this am, ‘competently’ spouting numbers and persuading no one. Is there anyone in the government who isn’t charmlessly robotic?
What was striking was the extent to which even now Cooper is relying for her word salad on blaming the last government instead of being able to point simply and clearly to how this government has fulfilled its promises to smash the gangs and stop the boats. The point about government is the power to govern and the unique power to get stuff done, and for voters 12 months + is a long time. The chances of a Reform government are not decreasing.
Meanwhile the voters look to the US, where the change of government resulted in a very swift containment of the illegal immigration problem.
Now of course the circumstances of the UK and US are very different, but there’s still millions of voters who don’t understand why the illegal crossers aren’t being immediately returned to France, or at least held in a tent city on an old airbase somewhere rather than in hotels.
The tents proposal is fascinating. Where would we erect the tents? The Tories wanted to use former US airbases to house migrants. Cue Consternation and Uproar, with even Priti Patel protesting against her own government proposing to use one in her constituency. Same with the barge moored at the end of the world (Portland) - swathes of angry bussed in protestors.
When 30p et al say "stick em in tents" they don't mean it. They would agitate for unrest at the tent city.
Everyone in politics (bar Corbynites maybe) want order restored to migration and the boats to stop. But as we don't have a magic wand we can't just go from today's mess to no migrants with one leap...
The only way to stop the boats is to restore order in the places most of the migrants come from, so they don't want to leave in the first place. That means sending expeditionary forces to places like Sudan and er, Afghanistan. That worked well the last time we tried it...
Otherwise all we are dealing with is the symptoms. We're lucky we're at the end of an arduous journey, and not on the front line.
Except that Australia had this exact problem. And found a solution, tow them all immediately to somewhere safe but unpalatable. Stop treating them like VIP hotel guests
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
I’m at Cheltenham for the opening game of the One Day Cup. It’s rammed. Only time I saw it fuller was when Lancashire played here in 2019 with Anderson in his pomp.
It’s not as though they’re even playing a big name or local side, fond though we all are of Derbyshire.
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
As they know the latter don't tolerate mockery and the possible response of an extreme minority of them if they do find their religion and prophet mocked
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
Atherton is the best. Very smart, eloquent, intellectual - yet he wears it lightly and remains personable and charming. And of course has incredible insight into cricket and its history
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
As they know the latter don't tolerate mockery and the possible response of an extreme minority of them if they do find their religion and prophet mocked
Quite. A mixture of cowardice, stupidity and hypocrisy - which precisely summarises lefty people like @bondegezou
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
Significant if true because it means Ukraine can trade intelligence for American help, which may be why Trump has been more engaged recently. Russia's newest submarine entered service about 10 days ago.
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
I think it is fair to say there’s more embarrassment around the mere existence of the Hundred than there is over the poor quality of some broadcasting of it!
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
Atherton is the best. Very smart, eloquent, intellectual - yet he wears it lightly and remains personable and charming. And of course has incredible insight into cricket and its history
Possibly my favourite commentator in any sport
The team Sky has put together is very varied and covers all the bases. They have the intellectual eloquent Atherton, a pro fronting the coverage, Ward is also very good. They can also do "fun" with short form coverage with the likes of Butcher, Cork, Dagnall. But where it really excels is they have this hardcore set of people who were elite and still absolutely in touch with the game, Eion Morgan, Broad, DK, and my favourite Sangakkara. You listen to those guys and learn something that is not obvious to normies every time.
I would say of all the people Sky cut, Gower might have been the most unfortunate. Yes he is well past knowing about the modern game, but he has become a pro about fronting. If I remember correctly, TNT did hire him on a temporary basis last time they had test cricket.
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Alan is well known for his protest on the cathedral steps ? Who knew.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
I think it is fair to say there’s more embarrassment around the mere existence of the Hundred than there is over the poor quality of some broadcasting of it!
Imagine if that Test series vs India had been in mid-July and August, during the school holidays and on terrestrial TV.
As with the 2005 Ashes series, half the country would have been watching cricket at its best.
Instead, we get a Hundred reasons to not like cricket.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
I think it is fair to say there’s more embarrassment around the mere existence of the Hundred than there is over the poor quality of some broadcasting of it!
I find the BBC coverage of it particular embarrassing. I read somewhere this year they have sacked off the reality tv star they had fronting it, but still. Though, it clearly isn't for me, I like elite sport.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
I think it is fair to say there’s more embarrassment around the mere existence of the Hundred than there is over the poor quality of some broadcasting of it!
Imagine if that Test series vs India had been in mid-July and August, during the school holidays and on terrestrial TV.
As with the 2005 Ashes series, half the country would have been watching cricket at its best.
Instead, we get a Hundred reasons to not like cricket.
I still can't believe all these Indian billionaires have put this money in. It doesn't fit with the way they are creating T20 competitions around the world, in preparation for clearly a world tour of T20. Unless they are going to put the squeeze on and demand they change it to a T20 tournament.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
Atherton is the best. Very smart, eloquent, intellectual - yet he wears it lightly and remains personable and charming. And of course has incredible insight into cricket and its history
Possibly my favourite commentator in any sport
The team Sky has put together is very varied and covers all the bases. They have the intellectual eloquent Atherton, a pro fronting the coverage, Ward is also very good. They can also do "fun" with short form coverage with the likes of Butcher, Cork, Dagnall. But where it really excels is they have this hardcore set of people who were elite and still absolutely in touch with the game, Eion Morgan, Broad, DK, and my favourite Sangakkara. You listen to those guys and learn something that is not obvious to normies every time.
Yes, I entirely agree. One of the pleasures of this brilliant test series is - was! (Sob) - the Sky commentary. You turned on the telly and you had intelligent people talking to you intelligently about what you were watching, but also amiable and humorous. Likeable (Mel Jones is also good)
That being said, I’ve been impressed by Sky’s British Lions coverage as well. Insightful and balanced, and excited by exciting sport. Just a shame the series kinda petered out in the rain
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
I think it is fair to say there’s more embarrassment around the mere existence of the Hundred than there is over the poor quality of some broadcasting of it!
Imagine if that Test series vs India had been in mid-July and August, during the school holidays and on terrestrial TV.
As with the 2005 Ashes series, half the country would have been watching cricket at its best.
Instead, we get a Hundred reasons to not like cricket.
I still can't believe all these Indian billionaires have put this money in. It doesn't fit with the way they are creating T20 competitions around the world, in preparation for clearly a world tour of T20. Unless they are going to put the squeeze on and demand they change it to a T20 tournament.
They are, yes. It had to be a Hundred this year because of the broadcasting rights but they’ve already privately told the ECB it will be T20 next year and if they don’t like it, tough.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
I think it is fair to say there’s more embarrassment around the mere existence of the Hundred than there is over the poor quality of some broadcasting of it!
Imagine if that Test series vs India had been in mid-July and August, during the school holidays and on terrestrial TV.
As with the 2005 Ashes series, half the country would have been watching cricket at its best.
Instead, we get a Hundred reasons to not like cricket.
I still can't believe all these Indian billionaires have put this money in. It doesn't fit with the way they are creating T20 competitions around the world, in preparation for clearly a world tour of T20. Unless they are going to put the squeeze on and demand they change it to a T20 tournament.
They are, yes. It had to be a Hundred this year because of the broadcasting rights but they’ve already privately told the ECB it will be T20 next year and if they don’t like it, tough.
Wonder what they will do with the T20 blast? That is already a mess as they play all the groups too early in the year and then the knock out 2 months later. But the counties won't be happy as that is now their one chance to get some decent attendance on a Fri / Sat evening, after they have turned the One Day tournament into a second XI competition.
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Alan is well known for his protest on the cathedral steps ? Who knew.
I doubt that very much - he's "No Offence" Alan.
Meanwhile Leon again demonstrates his remarkable ability to find a 'BadMuslim' angle in almost any topic raised. The cause might be ignoble but you have to admire the imagination and commitment brought to it each and every day.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
Atherton is the best. Very smart, eloquent, intellectual - yet he wears it lightly and remains personable and charming. And of course has incredible insight into cricket and its history
Possibly my favourite commentator in any sport
The team Sky has put together is very varied and covers all the bases. They have the intellectual eloquent Atherton, a pro fronting the coverage, Ward is also very good. They can also do "fun" with short form coverage with the likes of Butcher, Cork, Dagnall. But where it really excels is they have this hardcore set of people who were elite and still absolutely in touch with the game, Eion Morgan, Broad, DK, and my favourite Sangakkara. You listen to those guys and learn something that is not obvious to normies every time.
Yes, I entirely agree. One of the pleasures of this brilliant test series is - was! (Sob) - the Sky commentary. You turned on the telly and you had intelligent people talking to you intelligently about what you were watching, but also amiable and humorous. Likeable (Mel Jones is also good)
That being said, I’ve been impressed by Sky’s British Lions coverage as well. Insightful and balanced, and excited by exciting sport. Just a shame the series kinda petered out in the rain
Sky are good at all sports - as they ought to be given it's their core product and the budget they have for it.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
I think it is fair to say there’s more embarrassment around the mere existence of the Hundred than there is over the poor quality of some broadcasting of it!
Imagine if that Test series vs India had been in mid-July and August, during the school holidays and on terrestrial TV.
As with the 2005 Ashes series, half the country would have been watching cricket at its best.
Instead, we get a Hundred reasons to not like cricket.
I still can't believe all these Indian billionaires have put this money in. It doesn't fit with the way they are creating T20 competitions around the world, in preparation for clearly a world tour of T20. Unless they are going to put the squeeze on and demand they change it to a T20 tournament.
They are, yes. It had to be a Hundred this year because of the broadcasting rights but they’ve already privately told the ECB it will be T20 next year and if they don’t like it, tough.
Wonder what they will do with the T20 blast? That is already a mess as they play all the groups too early in the year and then the knock out 2 months later. But the counties won't be happy as that is now their one chance to get some decent attendance on a Fri / Sat evening, after they have turned the One Day tournament into a second XI competition.
My current view:
And as I’m in the main stand you can’t even see how full that is.
The crowd still come to the One Day Cup. Which makes the Hundred an even odder idea.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
Atherton is the best. Very smart, eloquent, intellectual - yet he wears it lightly and remains personable and charming. And of course has incredible insight into cricket and its history
Possibly my favourite commentator in any sport
The team Sky has put together is very varied and covers all the bases. They have the intellectual eloquent Atherton, a pro fronting the coverage, Ward is also very good. They can also do "fun" with short form coverage with the likes of Butcher, Cork, Dagnall. But where it really excels is they have this hardcore set of people who were elite and still absolutely in touch with the game, Eion Morgan, Broad, DK, and my favourite Sangakkara. You listen to those guys and learn something that is not obvious to normies every time.
Yes, I entirely agree. One of the pleasures of this brilliant test series is - was! (Sob) - the Sky commentary. You turned on the telly and you had intelligent people talking to you intelligently about what you were watching, but also amiable and humorous. Likeable (Mel Jones is also good)
That being said, I’ve been impressed by Sky’s British Lions coverage as well. Insightful and balanced, and excited by exciting sport. Just a shame the series kinda petered out in the rain
Sky are good at all sports - as they ought to be given it's their core product and the budget they have for it.
Guidance for police on sharing the immigration status and ethnicity of crime suspects "needs to change", the home secretary has said, following calls for details to be released of two men arrested over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old in Warwickshire.
Yvette Cooper said guidance for police forces on disclosing personal information "needs to change".
I was looking back at some of the media coverage from for instance Lee Rigby killing. I have no idea if the guidance was the same then, but if you compare it to the Southport coverage a) Cameron was straight out saying this is terrorism, extremism must be combatted, etc, and b) more interestingly all the media had the names and knew very detailed information about the suspects within the day including information they would never get without inside sources e.g. that one of the suspects had previously been detained by the security services, connection to extremism in Kenya, etc.
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Alan is well known for his protest on the cathedral steps ? Who knew.
I doubt that very much - he's "No Offence" Alan.
Meanwhile Leon again demonstrates his remarkable ability to find a 'BadMuslim' angle in almost any topic raised. The cause might be ignoble but you have to admire the imagination and commitment brought to it each and every day.
While I reject all religion, I’ve always found the idea of protesting about people’s religion to their face weird.
Religious belief, like nationalism, is not logical. It’s a part of people’s core identities. Attacking it is rather futile and definitely quite rude.
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
Atherton is the best. Very smart, eloquent, intellectual - yet he wears it lightly and remains personable and charming. And of course has incredible insight into cricket and its history
Possibly my favourite commentator in any sport
The team Sky has put together is very varied and covers all the bases. They have the intellectual eloquent Atherton, a pro fronting the coverage, Ward is also very good. They can also do "fun" with short form coverage with the likes of Butcher, Cork, Dagnall. But where it really excels is they have this hardcore set of people who were elite and still absolutely in touch with the game, Eion Morgan, Broad, DK, and my favourite Sangakkara. You listen to those guys and learn something that is not obvious to normies every time.
Yes, I entirely agree. One of the pleasures of this brilliant test series is - was! (Sob) - the Sky commentary. You turned on the telly and you had intelligent people talking to you intelligently about what you were watching, but also amiable and humorous. Likeable (Mel Jones is also good)
That being said, I’ve been impressed by Sky’s British Lions coverage as well. Insightful and balanced, and excited by exciting sport. Just a shame the series kinda petered out in the rain
Sky are good at all sports - as they ought to be given it's their core product and the budget they have for it.
What they seem very good at is talent spotting. They seem to pick up really knowledge people who are good on camera / the mic, DK and Sangakkara are the best. Where as checks notes about MOTD recent hires, Wayne Rooney on £400k a year.....
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Alan is well known for his protest on the cathedral steps ? Who knew.
I doubt that very much - he's "No Offence" Alan.
Meanwhile Leon again demonstrates his remarkable ability to find a 'BadMuslim' angle in almost any topic raised. The cause might be ignoble but you have to admire the imagination and commitment brought to it each and every day.
While I reject all religion, I’ve always found the idea of protesting about people’s religion to their face weird.
Religious belief, like nationalism, is not logical. It’s a part of people’s core identities. Attacking it is rather futile and definitely quite rude.
"Do you think it's Allah's will that Israel exists?"
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Alan is well known for his protest on the cathedral steps ? Who knew.
I doubt that very much - he's "No Offence" Alan.
Meanwhile Leon again demonstrates his remarkable ability to find a 'BadMuslim' angle in almost any topic raised. The cause might be ignoble but you have to admire the imagination and commitment brought to it each and every day.
The argument was begun by @bondegezou who mocked a Reform dude for being a UFO-believer. I responded by pointing out that he would never mock the Labour and Muslim mayor of London for believing in a magical flying horse, which is part of regular Muslim faith
I was not mocking Muslims or Islam, I was mocking the craven hypocrisy of lefties like @bondegezou
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
Yes, PB is notable for Islamists forever spouting their extreme views and being quietly and respectfully listened to. I make it all of, ooh, zero cases. Thankfully there are no other extremist types endlessly excreting their deranged world view.
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Alan is well known for his protest on the cathedral steps ? Who knew.
I doubt that very much - he's "No Offence" Alan.
Meanwhile Leon again demonstrates his remarkable ability to find a 'BadMuslim' angle in almost any topic raised. The cause might be ignoble but you have to admire the imagination and commitment brought to it each and every day.
While I reject all religion, I’ve always found the idea of protesting about people’s religion to their face weird.
Religious belief, like nationalism, is not logical. It’s a part of people’s core identities. Attacking it is rather futile and definitely quite rude.
"Do you think it's Allah's will that Israel exists?"
Everything bad is sent by God to try the faithful Everything good is sent by God to help the faithful.
Off topic, but about an election: Today is primary election day in Washington state. We have a "top two" primary system, which can produce some entertaining results.
(For the record: I voted yesterday by filling out an optical scan ballot, putting it in an envelope, walking over to the local Post Office, and putting the envelope in the appropriate slot.)
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Alan is well known for his protest on the cathedral steps ? Who knew.
I doubt that very much - he's "No Offence" Alan.
Meanwhile Leon again demonstrates his remarkable ability to find a 'BadMuslim' angle in almost any topic raised. The cause might be ignoble but you have to admire the imagination and commitment brought to it each and every day.
While I reject all religion, I’ve always found the idea of protesting about people’s religion to their face weird.
Religious belief, like nationalism, is not logical. It’s a part of people’s core identities. Attacking it is rather futile and definitely quite rude.
I profoundly disagree. I’m religious but I’m happy for my religion to be mocked, attacked, reviled. My faith can stand it. And God doesn’t give a fuck
The right to mock and satirise religion was one of the crucial victories of the Enlightenment, which is why the fact we are rolling it back (with de facto blasphemy laws) is so tragic and dangerous
Same goes for nationalism. You must be allowed to mock it otherwise it gets out of hand and the intolerant nationalist zealots dominate. See Scotland
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Morgan is particularly good as is Vaughn. You can see how they both were excellent captains. Their reading of the game is a level above. Broad has proven more objective than I expected.
I don't think Vaughan is, not now.
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
Atherton is the best. Very smart, eloquent, intellectual - yet he wears it lightly and remains personable and charming. And of course has incredible insight into cricket and its history
Possibly my favourite commentator in any sport
The team Sky has put together is very varied and covers all the bases. They have the intellectual eloquent Atherton, a pro fronting the coverage, Ward is also very good. They can also do "fun" with short form coverage with the likes of Butcher, Cork, Dagnall. But where it really excels is they have this hardcore set of people who were elite and still absolutely in touch with the game, Eion Morgan, Broad, DK, and my favourite Sangakkara. You listen to those guys and learn something that is not obvious to normies every time.
Yes, I entirely agree. One of the pleasures of this brilliant test series is - was! (Sob) - the Sky commentary. You turned on the telly and you had intelligent people talking to you intelligently about what you were watching, but also amiable and humorous. Likeable (Mel Jones is also good)
That being said, I’ve been impressed by Sky’s British Lions coverage as well. Insightful and balanced, and excited by exciting sport. Just a shame the series kinda petered out in the rain
Sky are good at all sports - as they ought to be given it's their core product and the budget they have for it.
What they seem very good at is talent spotting. They seem to pick up really knowledge people who are good on camera / the mic, DK and Sangakkara are the best. Where as checks notes about MOTD recent hires, Wayne Rooney on £400k a year.....
There's a level of insight that you'll get from ex players, particularly bowlers and even more so ex-captains in cricket that you can't really get elsewhere particularly with the field settings, change of bowling attack and so on. Probably the most value added from ex players of any sport.
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Alan is well known for his protest on the cathedral steps ? Who knew.
I doubt that very much - he's "No Offence" Alan.
Meanwhile Leon again demonstrates his remarkable ability to find a 'BadMuslim' angle in almost any topic raised. The cause might be ignoble but you have to admire the imagination and commitment brought to it each and every day.
The argument was begun by @bondegezou who mocked a Reform dude for being a UFO-believer. I responded by pointing out that he would never mock the Labour and Muslim mayor of London for believing in a magical flying horse, which is part of regular Muslim faith
I was not mocking Muslims or Islam, I was mocking the craven hypocrisy of lefties like @bondegezou
And I was mocking the obsession of you and ilk with Islam and Muslims.
Guidance for police on sharing the immigration status and ethnicity of crime suspects "needs to change", the home secretary has said, following calls for details to be released of two men arrested over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old in Warwickshire.
Yvette Cooper said guidance for police forces on disclosing personal information "needs to change".
I was looking back at some of the media coverage from for instance Lee Rigby killing. I have no idea if the guidance was the same then, but if you compare it to the Southport coverage a) Cameron was straight out saying this is terrorism, extremism must be combatted, etc, and b) more interestingly all the media had the names and knew very detailed information about the suspects within the day including information they would never get without inside sources e.g. that one of the suspects had previously been detained by the security services, connection to extremism in Kenya, etc.
Quick question: when did "guidance" become a thing? When did it reach the prevalence it has now? Ok, two questions...☹️
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
You're the one with the public platform. You could write an article for The Speculum that excoriates Islam and its effect on British society yet you only choose to do pseudonymously on here. Punch up for once.
Guidance for police on sharing the immigration status and ethnicity of crime suspects "needs to change", the home secretary has said, following calls for details to be released of two men arrested over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old in Warwickshire.
Yvette Cooper said guidance for police forces on disclosing personal information "needs to change".
I was looking back at some of the media coverage from for instance Lee Rigby killing. I have no idea if the guidance was the same then, but if you compare it to the Southport coverage a) Cameron was straight out saying this is terrorism, extremism must be combatted, etc, and b) more interestingly all the media had the names and knew very detailed information about the suspects within the day including information they would never get without inside sources e.g. that one of the suspects had previously been detained by the security services, connection to extremism in Kenya, etc.
Quick question: when did "guidance" become a thing? When did it reach the prevalence it has now? Ok, two questions...☹️
I don't know, so I might well be talking out my arse. But there was a big push to "professionalise" the police forces with the college of policing, officers needing a degree etc. It seems to have resulted in a very rigid type of policing that hides behind guidance and procedure for everything. Now on one hand I am sure the police aren't "fitting up wrong'uns" like the bad old days to anywhere near the same extent*, but the stats appear to show they are very ineffective at well solving crime.
I think something else that was probably cracked down on as it was an embarrassment was how cozy the police were with the media, the fall out from the phone hacking had lots of stories of police who would be paid to give insider info and if not paid all the crime journalists clearly had very close sources in the police who were willing to point them in the right direction if the authorities tried to blank them.
* it seems the MET police just have wrong'uns doing crime instead.
It is notable how atheist/secular lefties will brutally mock the “ridiculous” beliefs of anyone - catholics to Mormons to UFOlogists - but then suddenly go all quiet and respectful when it comes to the “ridiculous” beliefs of Islam
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
No I am an equal opportunities sneerer. No Gods, no ghosts, simples.
When I see you loudly mocking the Prophet outside Bradford Central Mosque, as you would happily mock Jesus outside Salisbury Cathedral, then I’ll believe you
Alan is well known for his protest on the cathedral steps ? Who knew.
I doubt that very much - he's "No Offence" Alan.
Meanwhile Leon again demonstrates his remarkable ability to find a 'BadMuslim' angle in almost any topic raised. The cause might be ignoble but you have to admire the imagination and commitment brought to it each and every day.
While I reject all religion, I’ve always found the idea of protesting about people’s religion to their face weird.
Religious belief, like nationalism, is not logical. It’s a part of people’s core identities. Attacking it is rather futile and definitely quite rude.
I profoundly disagree. I’m religious but I’m happy for my religion to be mocked, attacked, reviled. My faith can stand it. And God doesn’t give a fuck
The right to mock and satirise religion was one of the crucial victories of the Enlightenment, which is why the fact we are rolling it back (with de facto blasphemy laws) is so tragic and dangerous
Same goes for nationalism. You must be allowed to mock it otherwise it gets out of hand and the intolerant nationalist zealots dominate. See Scotland
It is a bit of both. Attacking someones choice of religion to their face is rude and weird. Rude and weird should not be illegal (unless in the extreme where it could be harrassment if persistent and targeted). And if God does care what us little plebs think then it is Him/Her/Them that is a bit weird, particularly given they allegedly created and designed us.
Bit more polling out from Freshwater Strategy fieldwork 1-3 August (changes from 4-6 July)
Reform 33 (+2) Lab 22 (-1) Con 18 (-1) LD 14 (-2) Grn 6 (=) SNP 3 (=)
Your Party not prompted for but pick up 1(and abit)% in the crosstable thanks to * subsample klaxon * 13% of 18-24 y.o
That’s another incredible poll for Reform
ELEVEN points ahead of Labour
Only the third pollster to record a double digit lead after FoN and a single BMG Caution - they are a bit prone to larger swings poll to poll but tbf have settled down the last 3 months
Comments
Might have to fiddle with the various delays to get a nice sync but I've managed it in the past.
I don't think many UK voters are looking at the clusterf*** that is Trump and wishing we had that over here. Let's check the polling: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/trackers/has-trump-been-a-good-president 57% in Great Britain say Trump has been a terrible president, 13% a poor president, 11% average, 9% good, 7% don't know and just 4% great.
Business is fun. The other two owners of this business are first time owners. One just asked me "how many businesses is this now?" I had to think. SIX.
I think business is fun...
Are we still building anything like this in the UK ?
Fabulous new hotel in Barcelona.
We can still build as well as we ever have!
https://x.com/Cobylefko/status/1952496884523876644
https://x.com/PolymarketIntel/status/1952637360014823606
At least Sky/TNT will have a couple of Convicts on their broadcast team.
...
...estimates that of the roughly 100,000 amputations performed on Ukrainian soldiers since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, as many as 75,000 were caused by improper use of tourniquets.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/cult-of-tourniquets-causing-unnecessary-amputations-deaths/ (£££)
Laughably Sky also place a great lot in the Super League and the pub game that is darts.
More generally I agree, in London they'll do better in relative terms than in the wider delayed county and the district fights
The Lady J of Tay
@brawday
Lindsay Hoyle blocks release of emails he sent to Israeli politicians
https://x.com/brawday/status/1952648190076858467
I can't imagine it will be pretty.
The Borei-A submarine class is a core element of Russia's nuclear deterrence.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2091155/putin-ukraine-steals-russia-nuclear-secrets
Significant if true because it means Ukraine can trade intelligence for American help, which may be why Trump has been more engaged recently. Russia's newest submarine entered service about 10 days ago.
Or this story about a British POW, who survived many things, only to end up at Nagasaki on that day. He survived because he was digging a pit.
https://www.historynet.com/raf-officer-aidan-maccarthys-incredible-journey-from-dunkirk-to-nagasaki-during-world-war-ii/
Just to check you found my earlier reply re your query about your relative's (?) e-pram from last night.
Did he make PM later?
https://x.com/marcowenjones/status/1952482434274205858
Unlike that tour, in which the former England players Alastair Cook and Steven Finn provided commentary from a studio in the Netherlands, TNT is planning to send a team to Australia, although will also use coverage from the host broadcaster.
Cook and Finn in that studio in Holland sucked all the life out of it. So instead, we will have wooden Cook and Finn plus totally biased Ozzy commentators who are also as thick as mince*. Woohooo. The Australian networks also love Vaughan and Swann for some unknown reason as the token Pommies.
* Whenever I have seen Australian coverage it hasn't moved on at all. Its nothing like Sky with Broad, Morgan, Sangakkara providing really interesting and nuanced analysis.
Bosh
So your point is?
There is a window post career where you are still very much in touch with the players, the behind the scenes and the tactics. Then you have to work really hard to keep up. One way is still be involved with the coaching of the game e.g. Sangakkara, he knows all the world elite players because he coaches in the IPL, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, and he has all the behind the scenes info on what tactics are being considered, the stats they use, etc.
Vaughan is clueless about T20 for instance, absolutely no idea what they are trying to do. BBC coverage of the Hundred is embarrassing for this reason, they didn't even know that the "meta" in T20 / Hundred is that taking the single can be net negative ev.
It’s not as though they’re even playing a big name or local side, fond though we all are of Derbyshire.
Almost a kind of “two tier sneering”
Possibly my favourite commentator in any sport
I would say of all the people Sky cut, Gower might have been the most unfortunate. Yes he is well past knowing about the modern game, but he has become a pro about fronting. If I remember correctly, TNT did hire him on a temporary basis last time they had test cricket.
Who knew.
As with the 2005 Ashes series, half the country would have been watching cricket at its best.
Instead, we get a Hundred reasons to not like cricket.
That being said, I’ve been impressed by Sky’s British Lions coverage as well. Insightful and balanced, and excited by exciting sport. Just a shame the series kinda petered out in the rain
Meanwhile Leon again demonstrates his remarkable ability to find a 'BadMuslim' angle in almost any topic raised. The cause might be ignoble but you have to admire the imagination and commitment brought to it each and every day.
Exclusive: Trump Now Personally Calling People to Say He 'Didn’t Kill Epstein'
https://www.meidasplus.com/p/exclusive-trump-now-personally-calling
And as I’m in the main stand you can’t even see how full that is.
The crowd still come to the One Day Cup. Which makes the Hundred an even odder idea.
But yes, it would undercut the Blast.
Yvette Cooper said guidance for police forces on disclosing personal information "needs to change".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rygx2xpy7o
I was looking back at some of the media coverage from for instance Lee Rigby killing. I have no idea if the guidance was the same then, but if you compare it to the Southport coverage a) Cameron was straight out saying this is terrorism, extremism must be combatted, etc, and b) more interestingly all the media had the names and knew very detailed information about the suspects within the day including information they would never get without inside sources e.g. that one of the suspects had previously been detained by the security services, connection to extremism in Kenya, etc.
Religious belief, like nationalism, is not logical. It’s a part of people’s core identities. Attacking it is rather futile and definitely quite rude.
I was not mocking Muslims or Islam, I was mocking the craven hypocrisy of lefties like @bondegezou
Thankfully there are no other extremist types endlessly excreting their deranged world view.
I always thought the ITV programming was some of the best 'sports' coverage on TV.
They totally got that the Tour is not just about the race. Where else would you get a geology professor in between time checks for the breakaway?
The Quest highlights of other Grand Tours are by contrast very poor.
Everything good is sent by God to help the faithful.
Here's a quick summary of the basics:
https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/helpful-information/current-election-information
(For the record: I voted yesterday by filling out an optical scan ballot, putting it in an envelope, walking over to the local Post Office, and putting the envelope in the appropriate slot.)
The right to mock and satirise religion was one of the crucial victories of the Enlightenment, which is why the fact we are rolling it back (with de facto blasphemy laws) is so tragic and dangerous
Same goes for nationalism. You must be allowed to mock it otherwise it gets out of hand and the intolerant nationalist zealots dominate. See Scotland
Reform 33 (+2)
Lab 22 (-1)
Con 18 (-1)
LD 14 (-2)
Grn 6 (=)
SNP 3 (=)
Your Party not prompted for but pick up 1(and abit)% in the crosstable thanks to * subsample klaxon * 13% of 18-24 y.o
It's a total mockfest on here today.
KEMI 37 34 KEIR
NIGE 42 40 KEIR
NIGE 41 36 KEMI
ELEVEN points ahead of Labour
I think something else that was probably cracked down on as it was an embarrassment was how cozy the police were with the media, the fall out from the phone hacking had lots of stories of police who would be paid to give insider info and if not paid all the crime journalists clearly had very close sources in the police who were willing to point them in the right direction if the authorities tried to blank them.
* it seems the MET police just have wrong'uns doing crime instead.
The coverage is much better with eg helicopter shots of local landmarks and scenery, as well as of the Peloton.
Caution - they are a bit prone to larger swings poll to poll but tbf have settled down the last 3 months
Sandford Police Commentary
@Sandford_Police
·
18h
Parody account
Does anyone know if we have to take our own knives to Notting Hill Carnival? Or can we pick one up there?
It’s our first time going and we don’t want to look silly