Pat Murphy
@patmurphybbc
Ex BBC sports staffer,specialising in football and cricket. Engine now shunted into the sidelines, but chugs out on Sats for football reporting on Sports Report
Agreed. Lived his crack about Switzerland being in favour of neutral umpires this morning!
I love a good cricket stat, but when @ZaltzCricket speaks, I always listen with mouth-dropping awe - every day of a Test with him is a school day & for that, this teacher deserves an apple.
Very pleased for you, Colin. That will be a labour of love.
Privileged and grateful to be trusted in helping to put together the below, chronicling a remarkable 12 months in #BCFC history. Appreciate the time and cooperation of all involved, bringing such insight to the fore 💙
Check out Compton’s series in 50/51 in Oz.
No argument about the greatness of Root,but Hutton and Compton lost six years of their career to the war, when they would have been in their prime.
For those who dispute the claims of Joe Root to batting immortality because he hasn’t scored a Test century in Oz - hang fire till next Jan. And… Hutton & Compton scored just 2 each. Anyone disagrees that they were great batsmen?
Mark W also possesses that distinctive, warm NE accent. Intelligent & friendly. My favourite regional accent from so many in the UK - one of our many glories we should cherish. Drive for 2 hrs, get out of the car & folk speak differently. Lovely!
Good choice, witty and considered with his answers, whilst usually being honest and informative. Most of the current England test team are decent to listen to, maybe an indication of the relaxed yet competitive atmosphere under Stokes and McCullum.
The @CountyChamp is back tomorrow with games being played at some gorgeous outground venues. I hope the weather is kind to everyone! Have a great time if you’re going along. #SeeingRed
Brilliant advert - has the precious asset of humour.
Advertisment for Nike Football Boots #Nike #FootyBoots #Ads
Mark Wood.
Name a modern day cricketer that gives the best interviews?
Great minds & all that,Nick. Hanging on grimly,thank you!
I was thinking exactly the same Pat. I thought @bbctms were particularly good in this Test , more focus on the cricket 🏏 less of the End of the Pier comedy show which had crept in. He is something of a real find , young Andy , your final line sums his approach v neatly . Hope…
That’s the plan….
Spot on Sir Patrick. Andy's stats are excellent. Are you still going to be on 5 Live Sat afternoons around various Midlands grounds this coming football season?
Hopefully all that nonsense about 4 Day Test Matches can be put to bed sharpish
Just imagine if this test was played on FTA TV AND in the school holidays - how different the future of cricket could look like as kids fall in love with the first class game instead of what we offer up to them in the holidays…
Amid the kudos for the @bbctms commentariat, a word for @ZaltzCricket for his excellence per se as scorer, but also his dry wit & ability to truffle the archives for interesting stats. Andy is very easy on the ears. Knows when to keep quiet & when to illuminate.
Can’t see it being a draw….
All 4 results to play for going into the last session!
Is there a better sport than Test Cricket? Individual heroics, intense drama, ebb & flow. All down to the final session on day 5 for the 3rd Test in a row. And @bbctms is the best companion of all. Great insights, absence of bias, just enough humour. Age shall not wither….
On holiday perchance, Paul?
‘James’ by Percival Everett is a fantastic read, especially for anyone who loves American literature. Clever, thought-provoking, challenging and a definite page turner…I loved this book. Would highly recommend 👍
I do like Lauren James. One of the most chilled footballers around. Makes it look so easy. Speed of thought & fluidity of movement give her precious time . Elite coaching early on by Dad brought Lauren & her brother a head start. Both now naturals #WomensEuro2025
Surrey leading the way, on and off the field. Feeding so many players into the England team while trying to safeguard the county championship’s integrity.
Surrey want 14 @CountyChamp games per year and to have an 8 team Div 1 playing home and away. I agree with them. We have a truly WONDERFUL red ball game. This year crowds are significantly up on last year. Grow the game! Don’t shrink it.
Cracking film. Highly recommended.
Coming to our BIG SCREEN on Sunday 14 September, THE SALT PATH starring Gillian Anderson & Jason Isaacs. A couple lose their home and later discover the husband has been diagnosed with a terminal illness as they embark on a year long coastal trek. bromsgrovearts.org.uk/event/the-salt…