Summer Days, Drifting Away

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From My Notebook

There is finally going to be some proper Test cricket towards the end of this month, as Pakistan visit England. Joe Root has taken up the captaincy once again, following the departure of Ben Stokes. It should be a good series, with plenty of storylines for the media to get our teeth into. Which makes it even more of a shame that the series, beginning on 19th August, is directly up against the start of a new Premier League, which kicks off on 22nd August. We've had a whole summer (of sunny/hot weather), but no Test match since the end of June and no ODI/T20 since 19 July. That was all in the midst of the World Cup, too. The gap, of course, is to accommodate The Hundred, which is across Sky Sports and the BBC. I think I've given the controversial franchise competition a fair shout, find it quite fun, and do think it has done something for the women's game. However, it obviously should not be to the detriment of Test and other international cricket, which is now going to disappear down the media agenda as a result of the calendar clash.

Last night, I put on the BBC coverage of the New York Yankees' game at the Chicago Cubs. Led by Felix White, it was rather enjoyable and well done. There are plenty of explainers for a UK audience, but nothing too patronising, alongside fairly standard US commentary. Unfortunately, the broadcast gets a bit lost, as it is on the iPlayer, where you have to know where to look for it. Hopefully, the BBC can start to give baseball more prominence, as they do a good job.

The Wales FA has withdrawn its backing to re-elect Gianni Infantino, with England set to follow suit. Not only has the World Cup sell-off plan collapsed, then, but it looks like the FIFA boss's time in power might come to an unexpected end, too. Well done, Martyn Ziegler.

Summer Break

It's been a fantastic summer of sport so far, with a really enjoyable World Cup at the centre of it. Alongside that, there has been another new Prime Minister in the UK. (How desperate was Andy Burnham to come into power the day after England had one the World Cup? No such luck...)

This has all meant that there has been an awful lot to write about in sports media, and culture more broadly.

It also means that I now need a little bit of a break. Running The Addition (as well as Lily White Woman,) is so much fun. I am hugely grateful for all your support, but it's hard work as it's just me, and I have not really had a summer holiday for two years! I need to take a little time off.

So, before all ramps up again with the start of the Premier League, Test Cricket and the WSL, that is just what I am going to do. Assuming there is nothing too dramatic to write about, (famous last words...) I will be back at the end of the month.

Thank you all for reading and supporting me. It really does mean everything. Have a great rest of your summer!