How to make cricket matches even better!

Here's two ideas that I reckon might improve the way cricket is played.

First, in double-innings matches (Test matches, county championship etc.), the side with the most runs after the first innings should choose who bats first in the second innings. Essentially, this is an enhancement of the follow-on rule, whereby the team that batted first can ask the second team to follow-on if they trail by 200 runs or whatever.

This would seem to increase the likelihood of a result, reducing draws.

My second change would apply to any type of match, and would again effect who batted first. Rather than toss a coin to decide who gets choice of batting, the two captains bid runs for the right to choose. So, I would offer 10 runs, say, to have that right; and if you bid more (which would be added directly to my Total) then you would choose.

Basically, this would just add another dimension to the game, as well as evening up the advantage of the toss.

Crummy Joke about two hydrogen atoms

Two hydrogen atoms are crossing a road. One says to the other, "I think I've lost an electron." The other replies: "are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm positive".

Small Surplus Donated to Rob Foot Fund

We had a modest surplus (£224) once the bills were paid, and as usual I donated this to the Rob Foot Leukaemia Fund. Mike & Wendy wrote me back to say how much they enjoyed the day, and to thank us for our gift. In the last six years, they've collected almost £80,000, which is a great achievement.