Man hits ball, runs. Photograph: PA
The Observer has done more than its share of hyping up the Ashes series. That is because cricket is generally a good thing - it has entered the language as a metaphor for decent behaviour, what better evidence could there be of its worthiness.
Test cricket is especially good because it takes a long time to play, and any lobby for playtime deserves the support of the press. Play is good, better than work.
But we must also be vigilant against hyperbole. All this 'spirit of 1966' stuff may be going a bit far. Or maybe not.
Strokes chin ponderously, surveys options.
Corrosive cynicism .... or hysterical jingoism.
Weighs them up in hand. Feels for ripeness.
Corrosive cynicism. Hysterical jingoism.
Whatever is a newspaper to do?
While we decide, here's the final test, nicely narrated by the team over the road.
And here's a great piece about discovering cricket late in life that ran a couple of weeks ago. Worth reviving.
The view from the Sports desk:
Everybody who could get a ticket is at the Oval, mainly the big wigs from the desk. A lot of other people are dreaming up stories that would allow them to apply for a ticket for the rest of the test but such ideas are swiftly stomped on. You cannot get a press pass for love nor money and you can't 'borrow' one as all passes carry their intended owner's photo.
So, it's just four of us watching the TV (and working too obviously). Thank god the cricket's on so we don't have to think about the football.
