It was elder son's second ever game of proper cricket last night, for his under 10's side. The game was held at the Old Deer Park in Richmond, a lovely setting. He's pictured bowling: an unusual action that borrows from both Thommo and Murali, but it's remarkably effective. It was freezing cold, despite the evening sunlight that occasionally poked through the clouds, with a biting wind. His first ever game was on Monday night, which I missed because of the Glenfiddichs. And if two cricket games aren't enough for one week, today he was playing in a football tournament at Griffin Park. It's a nice life if you are nine years old.

I warmed up with the remainder of a sensational Jamet Cote Rotie 1999, opened on Wednesday evening. It's drinking well but has a long future ahead of it. One of the best CRs I've ever had.