QUICK CROSSWORD

Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards, or backwards.

Across

1 Thoroughly soaked (7)

5 Greek letter S (5)

8 Souvenir (5)

9 Exploded (5,2)

10 Learner (7)

11 Devoutness (5)

12 Embraced (6)

14 Tree providing wood for cricket bats (6)

18 Circular (5)

20 Absconds (7)

22 Italian child (7)

23 Interior (5)

24 Simple song (5)

25 Clients (anag) (7)

Down

1 Withdraw from a contest (7)

2 Lively Bohemian dance (5)

3 Enrage (7)

4 Gallows (6)

5 Exclusive news story (5)

6 Polite, refined (7)

7 Put to use (5)

13 Epicure (7)

15 Slope (7)

16 Spendthrift (7)

17 Obnoxious (6)

18 Dressed (5)

19 God or goddess (5)

21 Frenzied (5)

Sudoku

ARTHUR, BAMBI, BARNEY RUBBLE, BETTY BOOP, BUGS BUNNY, CHARLIE BROWN, DAFFY DUCK, DONALD DUCK, DUMBO, EEYORE, ELMER FUDD, FELIX THE CAT, FRED FLINTSTONE, GARFIELD, GOOFY, MICKEY MOUSE, MIGHTY MOUSE, MR MAGOO, PLUTO, POPEYE, PORKY PIG, ROAD RUNNER, SCOOBY-DOO, SNOOPY, SYLVESTER, THE SIMPSONS, TIGGER, TOM AND JERRY, TOP CAT,

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The Ashes are alive and back in Blighty! Or are they?

As I write this, both the men’s and women’s Ashes contests are finely poised. England men are currently 2-1 down to Australia’s men and the women’s series is level at 2 apiece, after England were triumphant in the first ODI match. Therefore, reader, I ask you to ‘delete’ the below as applicable.

Last year, the new “BazBall” was heralded as the breath of fresh air the men’s cricket side needed. This year, it’s proven the difference as Brendan McCullum and Ben Stokes’ men battled back from 2-0 down to claim victory over an Australian side who’d been destined to take the series 5-0. Or so Glenn McGrath thought. Stuart Broad delighted England fans by seeing off David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne in consecutive balls and more was yet to come. The return of the devastatingly fast Mark Wood, and some patient but impressive batting from Harry Brook proved the difference as the series fightback finally began in earnest at Headingley. England men’s adopting BazBall can now truly be heralded a success. Naysayers can be silenced. The Barmy Army sounds a victory call and Ben Stokes banners are flown above cricket stadia for the rest of summer. Same again next time? We can’t wait.

England’s decision to declare on 393-8 at the close of Day 1 of the first Test match at Edgbaston in June proved costly as Australia forged ahead through the capable batting of Usman Khawaja (141 and 65) and unforgiving bowling of Pat Cummins (4-63). The lack of discipline in England’s bowlers was evident, costly and excruciating as the extras total ramped up to 44 over the two innings at Edgbaston and 74 at Lord’s. It’s all well and good batting like their places depend on it but the truth of the matter is that without those extras, England would have been well on top. It’s disheartening to say the least and proves one thing: the casual approach to this series against Australia was ultimately England’s downfall as the light provided by BazBall flickered and died, the risks taken with the bat failed to pay off, and chances missed were rued. Australia gave England a sorely needed masterclass in taking catches and a headache or two in relation to choice of wicket-keeper. Ben Foakes has proven form against tough Australian sides going back to 2017-18 but persisting with Jonny Bairstow, who averages below 30 with the bat, may need to be re-examined. BazBall took off last year against New Zealand and India but due to CazBall (coined by Aussie commentator Glenn McGrath) against Australia spluttered back down to the runway in a heap with the visitors tasting victory once more. Sally Gower