Stay Alert

Lower league cricketers will feel a spasm of recognition. 

It is clear the Prime Minister's new catchphrases are based on those bits of advice that their skipper imparts as his next batter prepares himself for the middle. 

These utterances are ritually voiced every weekend by skippers the length and breadth of the country.  And every weekend, the length and breadth of the country, they are ritually ignored. 

No doubt the skipper intends to be helpful.  But none of his exhortations is capable of being understood by the batter, far less put into execution.  The batsman has a vague memory that he played a forward defensive shot at some distant point in his career.  He may have practiced it in the nets earlier in the week, almost to the point of proficiency.  Intellectually, he may be able to accept that it might be an appropriate shot.  But that is as far as it goes.  In the middle, it is different.  He he will alertly take his guard.  He is in control. The arm comes over.  He sees the ball.  He swings.  The clatter of wickets him the worst.  Save the innings?  Not this week.

It is to be hoped that the new catchphrases find a more responsive audience.