This week was a stark reminder that there are lies, damn lies and… the President. The sight of Donald Trump, clutching scraps of paper inked with graphs and charts and declaring to increasingly incredulous interviewer Jonathan Swann that America are lower than “the world” when it comes to coronavirus death rates is enough to convince anyone that numbers can be fudged any which way one likes.
Trump’s interview was more surreal than even his normal schtick, you half expected Ali G to appear and start ‘Booyakasha-ing’ with Boutros Boutros-Ghali at any moment. But then Trumpparps up with a line that lingers in your head for all the wrong reasons;
“They are dying. That’s true. And it is what it is.” You win some, you lose some.”
Cricket provides solace and distraction in trying times so it’s nice to segue from the leader of the free world and his buttery-brain to a position almost as important; the leader of the England men’s cricket team.
Watching Joe Root hoist the Wisden Trophy (the last captain to do so) above his lockdown locks in the Old Trafford drizzle following his side’s 2-1 victory over West Indies I couldn’t help see it as a first step along ‘Legacy Highway’, ‘The road to Fruition’, Root 66. Honk! HOONNKK! The coming months will define him not just as captain but as a player too.
Denne historien er fra August 09, 2020-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
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Denne historien er fra August 09, 2020-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.