David Hopps

Thanks for the intelligent replies. So the burning question is why did that person win?

Hundreds of village grounds are arguably too small but to potentially put them out of existence without intelligent discussion and professional support is crass. Even at a time when resources are really badly stretched money is still being wasted on pet projects m.

All True, but sites without responses, even passive ones, generally fail.

Danbury cricketers stumped as council bans all play - BBC News People in an Essex village are upset the sport has been banned after a passer-by was hit by a ball.

Ah, I've found it on the BBC. Man was hit with a ball, on the leg, as he loaded his car so all proper cricket is banned. FFS.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It was free access when I read it, although maybe that is because I am in Sri Lanka

“To demand 20m-high nets in response to a cricket ball allegedly rolling against someone’s ankle before a match even began is madness,”

God, it’s hard drumming up interest on this site unless you’re pushing a predictable political line. At its worst it feels like a N London dinner party with a high proportion of American Democrats guests which is great but it won’t win elections. I fear that the rabid other site will win this battle

Angry villagers on council’s ‘mean-spirited, crass decision’ to ban cricket Danbury, Oaklands and Chelmsford Tuskers fear permanent exile by what they view as ‘crass’ decision driven by health-and-safety timidity

This is dim, pathetic, low-risk council management from people who have no intelligent idea of the big picture. I am no Telegraph reader, quite the opposite, but when the centre left just ticks this up and does not protest then we are inviting a Reform government www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2025...

Then there is the best=selling book to get me through my 70s.... 😅

It's a pity cricket is run by committee | The Cricketer County cricket has become so used to bowing to pressure from a bloated ECB that it can rarely think for itself on even the smallest issues

"International cricket might remain the pinnacle, but county clubs provide the building blocks of cricketing life. Yet the county grandees' permanent indecision has undermined its relevance and contributed to its decline" | ✍️ @davidkhopps.bsky.social

Discounts for Leeds fans 😉
I am not rich enough to own it, but I am stupid enough to lease it as a hobby in old age!

Thanks to Travelex for changing a 500 Euro note that I’ve been stuck with for 6 months! Can pay the painter now 😉
suitelanka.com

There is no limit to the incompetence of cricket administrators #cricketworldcup

And apple in a tree, talking about an apple that has fallen and squashed on the ground: “well he’s out for the season.”

Starmer's speech was merciless. It's time for Reform to feel afraid again Where has this guy been for the last year? And how do we make sure he sticks around?

Starmer's speech was merciless. It's time to make racists feel afraid again inews.co.uk/opinion/star...

Or cowardice

At least it might frighten some silent, self-styled liberals, progressives and lefties into abandoning their complacency and daring to argue back?

Rob Steen passes away aged 67 The Cricket Media Club was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Rob Steen last week at the age of just 67. Please take a few minutes to read this touching obituary by Matthew Engel in memory of a...

I did my first England (A) tour with Rob Steen. He was a good and principled man and yet another cricket writer of that vintage who was a total one-off. This is a wonderful tribute towards one of cricket's most original writers - and people.
cricketwriters.com/rob-steen-pa...

David Hopps remembers Dickie Bird

Memories of Dickie Bird from @davidkhopps.bsky.social

No 169, Sept 23: The Grumbler's County Cricket Newsletter 🟣 The Championship deciders - previews 🍐 Emotional Pears lift Metro Bank Cup 🟠 Surrey's record Champ crowds 🔴 Schedule set for confirmation? 🔵 Cricket is UK most elitist sport 🟡 Dickie Bird RIP

🏏 New County Cricket Newsletter. Pls share & enjoy
🟣 The Championship deciders - previews
🍐 Emotional Pears lift Metro Bank Cup
🟠 Surrey's record Champ crowds
🔴 Schedule set for confirmation?
🔵 Cricket is UK most elitist sport
🟡 Dickie Bird RIP

YouTube video by ESPNcricinfo Will Dickie Bird help Yorkshire? | ESPNcricinfo Cricket Brain 2014

He appears to have gone quietly and, if so, that is lovely. You might like this which I've been looking for for hours.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp6I...

YouTube video by ESPNcricinfo Will Dickie Bird help Yorkshire? | ESPNcricinfo Cricket Brain 2014

I still claim this as an unheralded classic for videos costing under 20p
RIP Dickie
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp6I...

This has been going on for a generation. It is pathetic and the crooks need to be exposed (by younger people with more ambition than me)
Media Release
"ICC suspends USA Cricket’s membership; builds safeguards to protect athletes and Olympic aspiration... repeated breaches of its obligations"

Yes. I have been bemoaning that for the past hour! Twas ever thus.

Dickie Bird obituary One of the world’s finest cricket umpires who became a popular celebrity known for his comic anecdotes and quirky ways

Privileged to have written Dickie Bird’s obituary for The Guardian. An eccentric innocent treasured by so many. Every time I met him it was an invitation to rediscover my inner child.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...

I ran out of characters on the last post.
And now the world has lost another character.
Dickie was an eccentric and one of life's true innocents. Everytime I met him it was if my childhood had returned.
Universally treasured in Yorkshire where we do not always agree on everything.
RIP old mate.

The last time I met Dickie Bird 😔:
How are you Lad?
Very good Dickie
Are you still working?
A bit. I’ve written your obit for The Guardian.
Will I like it?
You’ll be dead won’t you? So you'll never know.
(To passing strangers, loudly )
I’ll have to trust him won’t I? I’ll have to trust him won’t I?”

I will next listen to Today when Robinson retires. His self-important grandstanding is rude and irritating and he appears to be adept at the sort of bias his superiors might like. The likes of Amol Rajan and Evan Davies (and before that Eddie Mair) are in a different class.

Maybe tell some of your fellow columnists, dear

For 56 minutes Sky News and BBC News interrupted everything else and carried a Reform UK feed live, uninterrupted, unchallenged. The stream spluttered, froze, pixelated - dozens of times - still they stuck with it. FOR ONE HOUR.

This is an editorial choice. No other party gets this coverage. ~AA