Mike Gatting and the barmaid affair

This post proves just how much the Test cricket calendar has progressed since the Eighties.

Well into the third Test in 2007, the first Texaco Test match of the summer against West Indies in 1988 was held 19 years ago last week at Trent Bridge. It will also be remembered for Mike Gatting's supposed shenanigans with barmaid Louise Shipman in his hotel room.

Gatt strenuously denied the incident but it wasn't enough to get him sacked by the TCCB bigwigs at the time. Sportasylum has ITN news footage and Gatt's views on the incident with their own sensationalist headline:

EXCLUSIVE: Mike Gatting and the barmaid - the REAL story. Watch it here.

Podcast mayhem continues

Another podcast is up and running: click here.

This week, there's part two of the great West Indian fielders of the past. And it wouldn't be the same if an Englishman wasn't featured so I get the views on Derek Randall - that eccentric madman in the field. Also find out what Julian the Old Trafford worm and former Lancashire and India wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer had in common.

Holding out for a hero

How do you dress to meet a national hero? This thought briefly crossed my mind at the weekend when I had a morning interview with Sir Garfield Sobers.

Any other country you would no doubt where shirt and tie, as I have done when I've met him in England. My conscience was heightened when speaking to a Barbadian policeman and how the force always salute Sobers as a sign of respect when they come across him (and thanks to his playing days with the Police Cricket Club).

In the end I went for t-shirt and flip-flops and Sir G turned up wearing the same: that's how you dress in the Caribbean!