The day started unpromisingly. I popped into a pub to watch a bit of the summer’s first test match - England v South Africa - only to see England subside to 74 for 4. This is Joe Root’s first match as captain, even though he was appointed six months ago (the early matches this season have all been ‘white ball’ cricket). He came in when England were facing another crisis… and stayed all day. I know this because I abandoned all other plans for the day, settled back into an armchair to watch the big screen and stayed till the close of play. What a great day’s cricket! England accelerated throughout the day, with Joe Root reaching 100, then 150, and finishing on 184 not out, ready to start again tomorrow.
He looked tired after his epic innings, but, hell, for a professional sportsman, days don’t come much better than this. I hope he prospers, and not just because he’s a Yorkshireman. He’s obviously got a good sense of humour; emblazoned on the back of his shirt, for the one-day games, is his name and squad number: ‘Root 66’…
Thornbury...
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