A tale in two pictures. 1. Victoria Park, Hong Kong taken on Sunday, before the hard reality of flight cancellations landed. 2. The view from the departure lounge at Vancouver airport around 15 hours ago. Yes. We came home through Canada. And I think it's Friday.

Swinger, when starting out, genuinely is beautiful, but occasionally naughty (6)

Use a chain shot in choppy waters (5,5,3)

When Root and Smith were batting yesterday, I suddenly recalled Graham Gooch's infamous words in 1986. You know. World XI at one end, Ilford 3rd XI at the other. Here's a puzzle dedicated to the Ilford 3s. 😇😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @guerillacricket.bsky.social

Here's a puzzle for late-night test match listeners. Who's missing from this group of not-so-merry men? 🏏🦆😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @wisdencricket.bsky.social @acscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social

The SCG Ashes test has seen many dramatic moments over the years. This time, I'll consider it a success if I get to three crossword puzzles. Here's one in memory of those who didn't quite make it. Have a good'un everyone. 🏏😎 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

Centenary test vibes at the MCG. Or, as the MD would say: "We under-over-prepared, maybe, or another thing, I dunno, 20 percent, or something, my vocabulary isn't great, don't bash the pope" 🫢🤔🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @liebcricket.com @davidkhopps.bsky.social

The greatest innings ever played in a boxing day test match at the MCG was Alan Mullally's 16 in 1998. Discuss. A puzzle below to consider whilst you draft your discussion papers. Festive cheers to one and all! 😎🦆🏏🎅 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

A homage below to the famous "test of many three-fors". A rare historic time when the English team arrived in Adelaide with a lead and hammered it home. Also a time when players were more anagramable! 😇😍🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social

Six wickets in one day fall to legside catches at Adelaide! I can't help but to recall a horrible pre-lunch moment in 1991 and the silliness which preceded it. Here's to a good day's night. 🏏😁 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @melindafarrell.bsky.social

I yearn for the days when English medium pacers were outgunned by fiery Australian quicks. Vice versa is much more depressing. A puzzle below in homage to some hapless dibbly-dobblies of yesteryear. Enjoy the game, if you dare! 🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

The Gabba 1998: I couldn't get a ticket for the first day and spent it in a nearby bar drinking beer with Syd Lawrence. Great fun! I hope everyone who's there 27 years later is having as good a time. A puzzle below for the night owls. 😎🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

Here’s my preview of today’s Test. A crossroads moment for this regime, I think:

I know there's a test match about to get underway in Brisbane. And it's crucial and all that. But I can't help thinking about a man with a firecracker square cut and a wonderful moment I was lucky to witness 34 years ago. Enjoy the game! @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social

The five pacemen of the Ashocalypse have ridden into view. And it was some entrance. Some of us remember the Gabba test in 1990, but this feels more ruthless. Don't blink. Breathe. Here's something for the first drinks break. 🏏😍 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

Ashes Fever! At an unhappy hunting ground for English tourists, will ultra positivity herald a change of fortune? Or will the hype be followed by hiccups? Here's a puzzle to remind you of the pace and bounce! 🏏😎 @georgedobell.bsky.social @geofflemon.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

This person knows A LOT about history. A voice worthy of listening. 👍👂👂

Fifteen years between the first day at school and the first at university. And, just like that, parental redundancy!

It is ESSENTIAL that we spread far-and-wide the story of these brave filmmakers. And the terrible risks faced by innocent journalists going about their calling. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @mrjamesob.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWm6...

Win + Lose = Mam

WARNING! DISTRESSING SCENES. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Dear Followers and Friends, Please watch and share this film. It tells the true story of an ill-fated investigation. The awful perils faced by documentary filmmakers is a serious issue of our times. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWm6...

A good day to repost the puzzle below. I was privileged to watch every ball of Graham's 114* at Trent Bridge and his 138 at Edgbaston 4 years later. A wonderful cricketer to be celebrated. @kiaoval.com @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social

Some real courage in the face of injury on display in this test match. Here's a puzzle dedicated to those who've been brave enough to leave the treatment table for the field of play over the years. @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social @geofflemon.bsky.social 🏏🙂

I am privileged to have occasionally been in the presence of greatness during my lifetime. Sachin, Brian, Ricky*, Kumar, Jacques. Wonderful. Here's a tribute to the great Joe Root. Enjoy the game, everyone 🏏. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @tmsproducer.bsky.social

We begin the 3rd day of an Old Trafford test match with not one over bowled so far by a specialist off spinner. Jim would, I think, not have approved. Here's a puzzle dedicated to the most noble form of bowling. Have a great day everyone! @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social

The Put-Em-In Roadshow now visits Manchester! I was out of the country for the Battle of Lord's, but here's a little puzzle to commemorate the courage displayed by those who faced the prospect of batting for 2 overs before the close! 🏏😎 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

Happy 50th to a goddamned marvel of modern filmmaking. Get out of the window. Just get out of the window. Please. Just once after all these years.

Good Morning Bluesky Cricket! Will England still play to win if the run rate is 20+ per over this afternoon? Here's a little puzzle to while away the morning in memory of a rainy Birmingham test match many years ago. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social #flippergate

Watching this England cricket team is a bit like watching the Russian Roulette scenes in the Deer Hunter. Eventually, there will be a bullet in the chamber! Here's a puzzle for the morning session. 🏏😍😎 @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social @oscarress.bsky.social

How wonderful that we have another test match today between two teams full of enigmatic and energetic cricketers. Here's a puzzle in memory of a game a few decades ago also involving a few eccentric heroes. Have a great day, everyone! @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

G'day Bluesky Cricket! It's not unheard of for a team to concede the best part of 500 in the first innings at Leeds and then chase over 400 on the last day. But it doesn't really matter who wins. Just love it! @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @melindafarrell.bsky.social

Some chat on the TMS today as to the relative merits of Bumrah/Marshall. Leaving statistics to one side, a remarkable anecdote about Macco is the Lahore test match of 1986. WI picked 2 spinners for the first time in years and they bowled one over between them! @zaltzcricket.bsky.social

Alone and without a ticket at the Gabba in 1998, I wandered into a pub and got chatting to a huge man sitting at the bar for a few hours. It was David Lawrence. Utterly without pretention. Heart-warmingly friendly. Rocking and rumbling. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

Good Morning Bluesky Cricket! If Zimbabwe create an upset over the next few days, it wouldn't be the first time that they've stolen from the rich in the city of Robin Hood. Who's missing from this pride of parsimonious predators? 🏏😁 @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social

Good afternoon Bluesky Cricket People! It seems like a long time since I last saw Zimbabwe play at Trent Bridge. But I've snaffled a ticket for tomorrow. Here's a little puzzle in homage to a famous game back in the day. 😎🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

After extensive testing in both shower and basin, I can confirm that "Hand and Body Cleansing Bar" is the product formerly known as "Soap".

A ticket inspector carrying a rooster is my kind of railway platform furniture!

Freelance enthusiast views Siamese twilight (4,6)

Spot the Wat!

The Chao Phraya at night; Bangkok over there, doing its thing. I sip my drink and read my book.

22 Years Later...

Good Evening Bluesky Cricket! Isn't it great to see youthful adventure blossoming in Melbourne? Here's a little puzzle to while away a few minutes before the start of play. Who's missing? 🏏🤔 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @melindafarrell.bsky.social

Season's Greetings to Bluesky Cricket People! The MCG is so often a scene of historic drama. Here's a puzzle to celebrate some of those who have boxed Australian ears on Boxing Day... @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social @melindafarrell.bsky.social

Tiny Turkish Tram

I'm pleased to report that manspreading has been outlawed on the Istanbul tram network 😁

Bluesky Cricket People! As the the New Zealand series draws to a close, in its own peculiar way, here's a little puzzle in memory of dead rubbers past and those who made them special... 🏏🦆😀 @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social

Rob shop in a deranged state next to American waterway (9)

Bluesky Cricket People! Here's a puzzle ahead of the 3rd day in Hamilton, in recognition of the big'uns. It's rather lovely to witness these two teams vacillating between wonderful and woeful. Consistency is just so tedious! 🏏😁😇 @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social

Annual diabetes check up. Seen on time ✅ Access to all blood sugar readings for the last 12 months ✅ Comfortable tram ride in both directions ✅ The only broken thing is my headphones!

Dearest BlueSky Cricket Fans, I loved the Atkinson celebration; certainty more than elation. A confession: I've only witnessed one test match hat trick. This puzzle is a homage to that moment, when even I was in danger of overt celebration! @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social