Roger Alton Roger Alton

Test cricket and the Archers are both in deep trouble

Plus: What’s not to admire about Brian O’Driscoll

issue 01 November 2014

Lions and weasels

The Archers and Test cricket: words you rarely find in the same sentence and more’s the pity as there’s not much else that can give greater innocent pleasure. But could these magnificent institutions be in the midst of some existential crisis? On peaceful old radio, the writers seem devoted to purging The Archers of the Archers: David, Ruth and Jill could be junking Brookfield for Northumberland, Tom Archer hasn’t been seen in Ambridge since that unfortunate incident in the vestry; Elizabeth should be hounded out soon for sexual witchcraft; and then there’ll be just Shula and Kenton.

Pretty much like international cricket, which is being stripped of some of its performers. Remember the West Indies? In the 1980s and early ’90s, they were the best team. Now they have abandoned their tour of India in a shambles over money and might not play Test cricket again.

Get Britain's best politics newsletters

Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in