England v West Indies Third Test, Day Two Report Card
Featuring tyre sponsorship and getting ahead of one's self
Tyre Sponsorship
Grade: C+
In between the first two days of this Test, Paris had an opening ceremony for something called the ‘Olympic Games’. I’ll be honest, it sounds like an absolute hoot. From what I gather, it’s based on that old Hanna-Barbera Laff-A-Lympics TV show in which various 1970s cartoon characters (eg Captain Caveman, Quick Draw McGraw, Richard Nixon) compete in assorted athletic events.
The major difference seems to be that the ‘Olympics’ features non-animated human beings for some reason and is sponsored by Olympic Tyres. Proper sponsorship, that. Very clear what I should buy to support the show. (Much like this Rothesay England-West Indies series, to which I’ve contributed by buying several Rothesays. More than I can realistically use if I’m being honest.)
The point, however, is this. The opening ceremony to the Olympics, held in a) boats, b) Paris and c) rain, managed to delight, infuriate and baffle viewers all around the world in equal measure.
Maybe cricket can learn from this and get the French to entertain crowds with rain delay ceremonies.
Something for the ICC to think about, for sure.
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