Sporting Surprises

Let's talk specifically and firstly about the World Cup Football 2026.

So, Germany is out. Yes, that's right: they're out. It's taken everyone by surprise. And worse, they lost on penalties for the first time in the history of the World Cup.

Netherlands is also out. Two big teams, gone. Italy, by the way, never even made the grade to play this time...not for the first time.

England play DR Congo tomorrow. I'm proud that we're still in. That means: in the game and in with a chance. Come on!

And secondly, in the Cricket, Ben Stokes is out. The 35 year old announced his retirement yesterday with perfect timing.

He was the best, people said. There'll never be another - not for a long time, they commiserate. I am apt to agree - but wait a minute.

This is a team game. Why should it be left to one man to carry the whole team and win the game for us?

Every person in the team has the potential to do what Stokes did. You have the same skills, the same training. It's time and right that the other players pull up their socks. If I was their Coach, that's what I'd be saying.

As for the next new Captain? Brooks, maybe? Or Root? We'll see.

Wolf Winship

Comments

Heatwave!

There are Red weather warnings and schools close as temperatures hit over 35C around the UK today and much of the same is expected tomorrow - only more so. That's right; it's gonna get hotter. I am astonished at the number of people out and about in this heat! I can only think that there are only four reasons so many of you are out there. 1. You're ding-bat crazy. 2. You're testing your heat tolerance levels because you get a kick out of that... And because you're also a bit crazy. 3. When the Earth is boiling and more like the Earth depicted in the film "Interstellar", you can tell your grandkids all about the good old days when the temperature was only 35C. And 4. Maybe you're that rare type of person that actually likes the heat. Whatever your reasons, I'm reminded of that phrase that comes tinged with admiration: "Only mad dogs and English men/women go out in the midday sun." Anyway,...

Global Warming Warning

Along with the heatwave hitting UK and Europe this week, apparently there has been a tornado ripping through Illinois and in Nebraska, hailstones so big - bigger than golf balls - that shattered windows. Given all these events are occurring so regularly in the world, it is clear that global warming and climate change is a real and undeniable fact. We, the human race, had better take these warnings seriously and get prepared for these extremes. Just improving heating systems and installing air conditioning in homes and work places, including hospitals, is a start. There ought to be more shelters built also, so that if people are caught out in a sudden downpour or thunderstorm, they have some where to go. Ditto, when the sun is so hot and you need to get out of the heat. These things are important. They could save lives. Wolf Winship

Andy Burnham

Face of Prime Minister in - waiting Andy Doesn't Want to Leave Home Dear, oh dear. Looks like Andy Burnham is already home sick and has rushed off from London back to Manchester, where he made his first speech today. He looked visibly nervous to me. His idea of "No.10 North" and running the country from there is clearly a feeble attempt to remain in his home town. But Andy, you can't run the country from home! His "Manchesterism" is sniggered at by more experienced politicians (if not everyone) and the press is going to have a field day with his creative new word. Poor Andy; he is like a scared young boy being sent off packing to the big school. And it doesn't look like he wants to go. This seemed to be validated when, after his speech, he refused to take questions from the press who were there for that very reason. Instead, he just walked away. On a practical consideration, all travel is easier and quicker from London - should...

Wolf Winship

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