English Game Has a Foreign Language

They say cricket is on the decline in England because of its tameness, but there’s nothing dull about the writing, even if you can’t understand it. Here’s a wire story on the Test matches:

“LONDON--Barbados paceman Malcolm Marshall once again underlined his value to the West Indies here Friday as he dramatically swung the second Test against England the tourists’ way.

“England, euphoric after bowling out the West Indies for 209 on Thursday, were brought crashing down to earth by Marshall, who grabbed six for 32 as they were tumbled out for 165, after being 112 for two at one stage.

“Jamaican paceman Courtney Walsh had Derek Pringle taken behind for a single off a gloved hook and Pat Patterson bowled new England captain John Emburey for seven as he attempted an ugly cross-batted pull to a straight ball on off-stump.

“His seventh ball, from Emburey, was lifted into the Tavern for six and he reached his 50 with an assault on Gladstone Small which was marvelous to watch.

“A lazy flick through mid-wicket, two sumptuous straight drives and a dismissive pull brought him four successive boundaries and took him like a flash to 51.”

Sumptuous?

Add Forgettable Quotes: Said Pat Riley, when asked before the NBA Finals how Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas compared: “They’ll never even play each other.”

Add Johnson: Detroit’s Adrian Dantley told USA Today, “You have a tendency because of who Magic is, guys don’t foul him. It’s like Dr. J was when he was in the league. Magic’s been going to the hole like its carte blanche .”

More Johnson: Said Detroit’s Dennis Rodman, when asked if Magic is the toughest he’s guarded: “No, I’d have to say Michael Jordan and Kiki Vandeweghe. With Kiki, you know the moves are coming but you can’t stop them.”

Trivia Time: From Tim Kurkjian of the Baltimore Sun: “Name two players, active in 1988, who played for the 1973 Oakland A’s championship team. Clue: Both are National League utility infielders.” (Answer below.)

Add Kurkjian: “Now this is a rip. When Margo Adams filed a $6-million palimony suit against Boston’s Wade Boggs, Toronto Sun columnist John Robertson wrote, ‘Anyone who can prove she actually spent four seasons on the road watching nothing but Red Sox games should be good for $12 million in damages for mental anguish, easily, even if she never went back to the hotel.’ ”

50 Years Ago Today: On June 19, 1938, Johnny Vander Meer of Cincinnati, coming off consecutive no-hitters, pitched a three-hitter to beat the Boston Bees, 14-1. Debs Garms singled with one out in the fourth inning to end Vander Meer’s hitless streak at 21 innings.

Trivia Answer: Phil Garner of the San Francisco Giants and Manny Trillo of the Chicago Cubs.

Quotebook

Juan Beniquez, who has played for eight American League teams: “I’ll make a career going to old-timers’ games.”