Art Attack

Some of you may have read about Michael Vaughan's excursion into the art world; 'artballing'-paintings created 'by throwing or batting painted balls at a blank canvass':
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8383197.stm

If you follow this link, you will see the efforts of a unnamed artist and Holy Cross cricketer who-inspired by Vaughan's work- threw 50 paint balls (assorted colours) at a blank canvas from a distance of 20 yards. For those hoping for a closer look, its current owner (C. Saatchi) has kindly agreed to allow it to be displayed in the Arbo Green room next May.

How to Save Cricket?

This may be of interest to some of the readers of this blog (especially those who prefer cricket to Twenty20 and who appreciate the batting of VVS Laxman):

http://www.spectator.co.uk/alexmassie/5569511/how-to-save-test-cricket.thtml

Captain Darling ?

This Thursday night at 9.15, Radio Three are broadcasting a talk by Mike Brearley on Narcissism and Leadership. Brearley, who lost only 4 of his 31 Test matches as England captain, is now a psychoanalyst. Apparently, he warns that "anyone in a position of responsibility has to be wary of the wish to be admired." Could be an interesting listen, especially for our notoriously image-conscious slate of skippers - EC, Ziggy, Ken and Coco.

2010 Cup draws

• Masterton - Home vs Murrayfield-DAFS. Winner away to Stenhousemuir or Marchmont.


• Cow Corner - Away to Edinburgh Accies.


• Presidents Trophy - A bye in the 1st round and then away to Stenhousemuir or Westquarter.

ESCA AGM Highlights

The League's agm was held last night. Here are a few bits and bobs that may be of interest.

• All Divisions - The season will run from 1st May to 28th August. A proposal to change the points system which came within a whisker of being passed last year was convincingly defeated this time.


• Div 1 - The Eastern Regional Academy under 19s will play a Sunday away game against each of the Div 1 club sides during the first 12 weeks or so of next season. Full points will be up for grabs but the Academy side will not feature in the league table. ESCA will provide umpires and contribute £65 to each Div 1 side to defray expenses.


• Div 1 again - As the SNCL is leaning on its member clubs to provide at least one umpire next season, Sandy Scotland thinks it is likely that there will be more umpires available for East League games next season. I'll let you decide whether this is a good thing or not (especially as most of the newly available umpires are likely to be pretty inexperienced), but please try not to be too rude in any comments.


• Divs 5 & 8 - The standard starting time for the 2nds and 3rds has been brought forward to 1pm. While it will still be possible for clubs to agree a later start, you have been warned, especially you, Gerry.


• Div 8 - Musselburgh 3rds were admitted to the division.

SNCL reconstruction-proposal passed

http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Clubs-vote-for-league-split.5804268.jp
http://www.cricketscotland.com/DecisionTime

Given the way this will disrupt the fixtures for the latter part of the season, this is likely to impact on East League clubs - see the ESCA messageboard for discussion.

http://tinyurl.com/yfobgds

Two Dogs or Two Shots?

Apparently Mr Worsnop has (again) been the subject of attention in the Scottish press.

Given that he seems reluctant to associate his business with the HX blog (...), we won't link to it here.

But Crossers may be interested in this biographical article:

http://tinyurl.com/yz6ba8e

Those who played with him at Craigmillar Park may be surprised by his comment: 'I occasionally play golf very badly.' Seems like 'occasionally' he also plays it very well - especially when hitting a 4 iron uphill...