WHISPERING SMITH: Scenic views – are they soon to be run out?

By The Newsroom
Published 25th May 2014, 10:00 BST
TUESDAY last, during a brief cloudburst, sheltering ‘neath the magnificent spreading horse chestnut tree, I fancied I could see the outline of the crucifixion in the tree’s gnarled, twisted trunk.

A fitting image really as out on the pitch of Arundel Castle’s magnificent cricket ground, probably the most beautiful ground in the country, Ian Hislop’s Private Eye eleven were being savaged by the BBC Radio News eleven.

Beaten but unbowed, the charming Mr Hislop left the crease – in the confusion and without the benefit of a television replay, I could not tell if he was out or the last man standing – whatever, in the match, he took two wickets and bashed a credible KP-style 21 runs and graciously posed for a selfie with me, the result of which was too unflattering of both of us to be used in the column.

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