we're number 1!

Off to Heathrow yesterday to pick up our friend Issa who comes from Bethlehem on his first trip to Europe.
Today I enrolled him at our local snooker hall where he demonstrated why he has won the Palestinian Open 3 times. There is no doubting it; he is a class act, holing pots I would normally deem impossible. Roald Dahl once observed that he played snooker "for 30 years and got worse", and although I was a useful player in my youth, I haven't hit a shot in anger since my son, with whom I often played, died, nearly 5 years ago. Obviously I was rusty, but it was a highly enjoyable experience. And as he is due to stay with us for 3 weeks, it is one, I anticipate, that we shall repeat several times before he departs.

COMMENT

England's latest and decisive victory over India has placed us at the top of the world rankings, a first in my lifetime. I rate this as one of most illustrious sporting performances ever. How did we pull it off?
Asking a knowledgeable friend this question, he was reluctant to name individuals, preferring instead to pay tribute to the team as a whole, and how magnificently they have worked together. When pushed, he nominated Stauss's captaincy (reminding me that a cricket captain's job is far more crucial than that of almost any other team game)as being critical. Other players "mentioned in dispatches" included Alistair Cook, Jimmy Adamson and that extraordinary match-winner, Stuart Broad. But he also wanted to cite the vital role played by the coach Andy Flowers.
All I know is that the boys done us proud, and there should be knighthoods etc in the offing, and in abundance- I say you chaps: well done!