Geoffrey Boycott chats to Jamacian sprinter Yohan Blake. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe <\/p>\n
Published: 18:04 Thursday 24 August 2017 <\/p>\n
THE WEST Indies side that will step out against England at Headingley today has already taken some ribbing, but it was at a stadium two miles up the Otley Road this afternoon that the real comedians were to be found. <\/p>\n
The BBCs Test Match Special, to celebrate its 60th anniversary, fielded two teams of jokers, retired cricketers and assorted pundits for a Twenty20 match on a Leeds University pitch at Weetwood that looked more village green than international stadium. <\/p>\n
Geoffrey Boycott, 40 years to the month since scoring his 100th century in another Headingley Test, was one of the coaches, along with commentator Jonathan Agnew. <\/p>\n
Boycott, these days a controversial summariser on the BBC radio warhorse, had said 24 hours earlier that this West Indies lot was the worst Test match team he had seen in more than 50 years of watching, playing and commentating. <\/p>\n
Never one to mince his words, he appeared unrepentant as he strode onto what he described as a pockmarked pitch, beneath his customary straw Panama hat. <\/p>\n
Instead, he offered some sage advise to his captain, Michael Vaughan. When the suns out and the pitch is dry, bat first in Yorkshire, he counselled. <\/p>\n
Phil Tufnell, the opposing captain, was also not a stranger to the Yorkshire climate. You always come to Leeds and you always look up, he said. <\/p>\n
The comedians taking to the crease included Andy Parsons, Dom Joly and Miles Jupp. They were joined by Made In Chelseas Jamie Laing, athlete Yohan Blake and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. <\/p>\n
The teams also included England cricket veterans Graeme Swann, Simon Hughes, Ebony Rainford Brent and Charlotte Edwards and BBC commentators Simon Mann and Alison Mitchell. <\/p>\n
{* loginWidget *} <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* traditionalSignIn_password *} <\/p>\n
Email Address {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} Password {* traditionalSignIn_password *} <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* traditionalSignIn_password *} <\/p>\n
{* traditionalRegistration_firstName *} {* traditionalRegistration_lastName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_firstName *} {* socialRegistration_lastName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_jpCommsOptIn *} <\/p>\n
Registering with Yorkshire Post means you're ok with our terms and conditions. <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_captcha *} <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_firstName *} {* socialRegistration_lastName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_jpCommsOptIn *} <\/p>\n
By registering you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of the website. <\/p>\n
You're almost there.We've just sent a confirmation email to . Check it out to confirm your registration. <\/p>\n
We are unable to send your welcome email at this time. Please try again later by clicking the resend welcome email link from your profile page. <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} <\/p>\n
{* newpassword *} {* newpasswordConfirm *} <\/p>\n
{| foundExistingAccountText |}. Either connect these accounts, or create new one using a different email address. <\/p>\n
{| existing_provider |} <\/p>\n
{| existing_displayName |} <\/p>\n
{| current_emailAddress |} <\/p>\n
{| rendered_existing_provider_photo |} <\/p>\n
Created at {| existing_createdDate |} <\/p>\n
Email is already registered with OtherSite. You'll be able to use the same account on current Site. Alternatively, you can create a new account with another email address. <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* mergePassword *} <\/p>\n
Enter your postcode so we can keep you up-to-date with the latest local news and exciting deals. <\/p>\n
is already registered with . You will be able to use the same account on . Alternatively, you can create a new account with another email address. <\/p>\n
Validating <\/p>\n
Email address is required. <\/p>\n
We have sent a confirmation email to . Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. <\/p>\n
We are unable to process your request at this time. Please try again later. <\/p>\n
Congratulations, you've just sealed the deal! Sign in to your profile now to get started. <\/p>\n
That's it, you're all done! Close this window to start browsing the site now or click here to go to your profile <\/p>\n
Unfortunately that verification link has expired. To get a new one, just sign in to your profile now and resend the verification email. <\/p>\n
Unfortunately that verification link has expired. To get a new one, just resend the verification email by going to your profile page. <\/p>\n
Are you sure you want to remove this linked account? <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
See the rest here:<\/p>\n
Boycott leads out jokers at TMS T20 Test in Leeds - Yorkshire Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Geoffrey Boycott chats to Jamacian sprinter Yohan Blake. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe Published: 18:04 Thursday 24 August 2017 THE WEST Indies side that will step out against England at Headingley today has already taken some ribbing, but it was at a stadium two miles up the Otley Road this afternoon that the real comedians were to be found. The BBCs Test Match Special, to celebrate its 60th anniversary, fielded two teams of jokers, retired cricketers and assorted pundits for a Twenty20 match on a Leeds University pitch at Weetwood that looked more village green than international stadium Continue reading