Stating the Bleedin' Obvious

Wickman and Wickman Junior from time to time put aside the cares and worries of everyday industry and discuss the beautiful game during working hours. Recently talk has turned to the platitidinous (here's a handy link Delboy) nature of many cricket related interviews.

With pages to cover and interview slots to fill, the modern cricketer needs to work hard on his or her pre and post match game. Obviously this duty falls particularly hard on the skipper of any xi and they are bound to be caught out in this form of the game more often than other players. Cooky though is vulnerable to the pre-match good lenghth (500 word) interview in the Metro and Colly can make his batting in the real form of the game look like a Yuvraj whirlwind in comparison to him grinding out a post match broadcast slot.

To give them something to do during the long winter ahead W and WJr will bring to you the best of these bon mots - starting with a perfect example from the England captain which sums up the struggle. Commenting on the recent 1-6 win against the Australians and previewing our chances in the ICC Trophy Captain Fantastic said: "We need to be honest and not settle for mediocrity".

Wickman was disturbed by this. There's no doubt some of England's one day cricket in this most recent series has been mediocre. Boy has it been mediocre. But who has been settling for it? The Coach? James Anderson? Owais Shah? That the England team now needs to be honest and stop settling for it is very unsettling indeed.

Wickman particularly likes this piece of utter banality because it is, in itself, a completely mediocre comment too. So it's the perfect start to our Winter campaign. Feel free to email with your favourites...