[Abernathy]

Now that Brenda has finally breathed her last, there is an absolute orgy of grieving getting into full swing. Ringing bells. Firing heavy artillery weapons all over the shop. Enough flowers to keep Interflora in business for the next century. Endless media coverage. And above all, cancelling things. Cancelling football matches, in particular, seems to me to be a bit excessive.
Games could still go ahead, with minutes of silence, players wearing black armbands, and above all recognition that football matches are community events where people can gather together and express tributes to the departed monarch in the ways just mentioned. They aren't cancelling say, theatre performances, so why pick on football matches ?

[kreuzberger]

Brussels, immediately going into half-mast mode.

It was quite powerful to see such a gesture of solemn respect and genuine solidarity - especially as this generosity was shown to a country which understands the meaning of neither.

[Yug]

They aren't cancelling say, theatre performances, so why pick on football matches ?

How dare the plebs keep calm and carry on when our Glorious Queen has just died? Make them suitably miserable as befits such an occasion.

[Oboogie]

Who gave the order that football matches should be cancelled?

[The Weeping Angel]

The Premier League plus the Football league.

[The Weeping Angel]

Rugby seems to have gotten it right.

https://rugby-league.com/article/60890/ ... d-fixtures

[Bones McCoy]

Interesting Contrasts:

Horse Racing pushed the St Ledger back one day.

Cricket cancelled the 2nd day of the Test match. (More below)

Football's completely off.
But would probably have degenerated into a "Longest silence / biggest black armbands" slanging match if it went ahead.

Great North Run probably made the best call.
Recognising that there isn't a GNR every day, and it attracts folks fomr all over, they will "Continue so runners can park the solemn occasion as a community".


Returning to the Cricket, I don't know what happens with a 3 day test match.
Back when I had to remember the laws for my Cub Scout sportsman's badge, they included different regulations for 3, 4 and 5 day test matches.
I don't recall any 3 or 4 day tests in my lifetime, but those regulations would swing into action if the first day (or first 2 days) were lost to rain.

Much has been done to simplify the laws since then.
No bad thing either, since it used to be like the full version of Mornington Crecent.
I do wonder whether Saturday morning will see Aggers at the Oval explaining that the 3 day rules are in operation.

If my cub scout brain remembers correctly, the differences were:
* Scope to add extra playing time at the end of each day if conditions permit (Good luck with that in an English September).
* Reduced "follow on" deficit of 150 runs.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Back when I had to remember the laws for my Cub Scout sportsman's badge, they included different regulations for 3, 4 and 5 day test matches.
I don't recall any 3 or 4 day tests in my lifetime, but those regulations would swing into action if the first day (or first 2 days) were lost to rain.

Much has been done to simplify the laws since then.
No bad thing either, since it used to be like the full version of Mornington Crecent.
I do wonder whether Saturday morning will see Aggers at the Oval explaining that the 3 day rules are in operation.

If my cub scout brain remembers correctly, the differences were:
* Scope to add extra playing time at the end of each day if conditions permit (Good luck with that in an English September).
* Reduced "follow on" deficit of 150 runs.

The reduce follow on happened in 2001, here-

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pak ... -scorecard

Don't know if it would apply in this situation.

[Tubby Isaacs]

We have a winner- the Bank of England says it would be disrespectful to do anything about inflation for a week.

[davidjay]

I would guess that as a quasi-government body they have to follow some form of mourning protocol.

[AOB]

The Met Office are only issuing one forecast per day "out of respect". One forecast or twenty one it makes no difference, they still get it wrong

[Bones McCoy]

Cricket update (in case anybody else gives a shit).

I do wonder whether Saturday morning will see Aggers at the Oval explaining that the 3 day rules are in operation.

If my cub scout brain remembers correctly, the differences were:
* Scope to add extra playing time at the end of each day if conditions permit (Good luck with that in an English September).
* Reduced "follow on" deficit of 150 runs.

The remaining days are still set to begin at 11:00 BST, with 98 overs scheduled for each day because of the time lost due to rain. The follow-on has also been reduced to 150 runs because of the washout on day one.

[Youngian]

Corporate tributes to move the soul

[Tubby Isaacs]

Cricket update (in case anybody else gives a shit).

I do wonder whether Saturday morning will see Aggers at the Oval explaining that the 3 day rules are in operation.

If my cub scout brain remembers correctly, the differences were:
* Scope to add extra playing time at the end of each day if conditions permit (Good luck with that in an English September).
* Reduced "follow on" deficit of 150 runs.

The remaining days are still set to begin at 11:00 BST, with 98 overs scheduled for each day because of the time lost due to rain. The follow-on has also been reduced to 150 runs because of the washout on day one.

It'll be dark when they finish the 98 overs. Like some old Nat West Trophy final, except a week later.

[Bones McCoy]

Cricket update (in case anybody else gives a shit).

I do wonder whether Saturday morning will see Aggers at the Oval explaining that the 3 day rules are in operation.

If my cub scout brain remembers correctly, the differences were:
* Scope to add extra playing time at the end of each day if conditions permit (Good luck with that in an English September).
* Reduced "follow on" deficit of 150 runs.

The remaining days are still set to begin at 11:00 BST, with 98 overs scheduled for each day because of the time lost due to rain. The follow-on has also been reduced to 150 runs because of the washout on day one.

It'll be dark when they finish the 98 overs. Like some old Nat West Trophy final, except a week later.

Sell all your PonziCoin to Bet now on Drawn Game - You heard it here first you lucky Billionaires.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Sell all your PonziCoin to Bet now on Drawn Game - You heard it here first you lucky Billionaires.

Shame they're not starting at 10.30. We'd probably see about 5 wickets fall while the dew was still down.

[davidjay]

We have a winner. Of everything, ever.

[Youngian]

Mr Rotten’s tribute gives rise to thoughtful reflection; Joe Strummer is greatly missed.

[Abernathy]

“Yes, and God save the fascist regime, too! wanna buy some butter? “

What an utter fraud Lydon is.

[Tubby Isaacs]

3 wickets gone in the first six overs. The follow on looks a bit, well, hypothetical.