Poetry Thursday 95 - Cricket loverly cricket

 Over the years, there have been many great cricketing days. It was a treat for me to watch test matches (5 days) with my father. Mother even made lunch on trays so that we didn't miss a ball. Then there was the time when I was old enough to actually attend test matches, which was magical. Throughout that time, there have been wonderfully skilled players, but today I believe we have probably the best Englishman in decades. 

Remembering Cricket

 

I remember watching classy Cowdrey,

and Freddie Trueman the fiery,

the bowling of John Snow,

a belligerent Boycott refusing to go.

 

The Windies bowling machine given an edge,

with the batting of Sobers and of Greenidge,

years of magnificent test match success,

putting terrified batsmen under stress.

 

Australia, Pakistan and India contributors,

producing talented, stylish players,

while we continued bumbling along,

striving with the stiff upper lip to rely on.

 

Nothing could diminish the excitement of a test,

driving to Headingley hoping for a day of the best,

cricket that two teams could possibly supply,

viewed from a seat in the coconut shy.

 

There have been many such days including at Lord’s,

when enjoyment was indescribable beyond words,

and yet this game continues to provide,

players who excel for their countries with pride.

 

Currently I have a remarkable favourite,

England have for years from his talent benefitted,

his batting ability never in dispute,

the magnificent, record-breaking J E Root.

©David L Atkinson June 2025 

God Bless 

Writing - Entertainment

 A more fundamental question, why do I write, sprang from last week's rather bleak posts. It is okay to express your opinion in your work, after all, we have freedom of speech, but when we write, surely part of the exercise is to entertain. If we only write to educate, there is a danger that our work will become rather dry and dull. That in turn, may shrink our audience and therefore, the messages we are trying to share will be limited. 

A bit of sketching practice, yes I know that I need it, but reflecting a comedy. 

The Class sketch is a comedy sketch first broadcast in an episode of David Frost's satirical comedy programme The Frost Report on 7 April 1966. It has been described as a "genuinely timeless sketch, ingeniously satirising the British class system" 

So, a classic example of using humour to deliver a serious point and so education with entertainment. 

But a second point of writing is to entertain without weaving in some clever message to make a point. Writing is a flexible medium that can be adapted to deliver whatever you want it to, so experiment with different approaches and deliver your messages without fear. 

Joe Root 

Entertaining can include real-life remarkable instances of skill or endeavour, as occurred yesterday when cricketer Joe Root produced a batting master class. The watching crowd and fellow professionals were exceedingly impressed and appreciative. What Joe did was give the nation a lift for the day. Even if you aren't a fan of cricket, we can all appreciate excellent performance in all walks of life, and these should be applauded. 

God Bless