There are two nations, both with populations of around 5 million, that the rest of the world finds it impossible to dislike. Norway: stubbornly egalitarian and stoic, and New Zealand: understated, similarly self-reliant, and Olympic overachievers. May 17 is Norway's Constitution Day, and it also marks a month until the football World Cup. There was a legendary sports broadcast at the final whistle in 1981 after Norway beat England 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo. The com

Named after the Victorian Cricketer "Fatty Batter" the Harry Baldwin Occasionals made their second visit to Broadhalfpenny Down. Despite a weather forecast to the contrary, they arrived to a ground with the covers on, a rain-soaked pitch, and a forecast showing rain until teatime. The team captains and umpires were close to cancelling the game, but agreed a stay of execution to 2.30pm. With the rain easing, the teams soon took to the pitch for a shorter format 30 over game.

Over thirty years, an American coach, Bruce Brown, observed the impact parents have on their sport-playing adolescents. Athletes were asked what their parents said that made them feel great or amplified their joy during and after a game. Their overwhelming response: "I love to watch you play." Parents were in good number at Broadhalfpenny Down for the visit of the Sons of Bacchus, a jovial multi-generational team who sported an array of interesting cricket caps and more lawye

A glorious April Sunday afternoon for village cricket; Broadhalfpenny Brigands hosted the Vagabonds, a wandering side in loud pink-and-red blazers, playing under their motto In the Spirit of Good Fellowship. After moderate warm-ups and muscle-stretches, Brigands batted first. Rupert Preece set the tone with an elegant 47, then Dave Henderson and Gerry Northwood put on 66 for the fourth wicket. The Vagabonds' seamers, Bulpitt and Preston, bowled seventeen overs of quality pace

"In the spring, cricketers are fresh and eager; ambition within them breaks into bud; new bats and flannels are as chaste as the April winds", Neville Cardus The cricketers arrived on the opening day of the season. There were the keen ones, with oiled bats, ironed whites, and confidence from six weeks in the winter nets. There were the rusty ones, with cricket bags unopened since the last Sunday of the previous September, who discover a solitary batting glove and a pair of s

Hayling Island was once home to Britain’s only operating railway bridge across tidal waters, the Hayling Billy Line, now a much-loved...

“The ball is bowled, the glass is poured, Let bat and bottle both be scored; For port, like cricket, keeps its cheer, Through every match...

At 2.44pm on the final day of the unforgettable Ashes summer of 2005, Kevin Pietersen and Ashley Giles came together with the urn on the...

On a sun-drenched Broadhalfpenny Down, Hambledon Cricket Club made a journey of two and a half miles, and two and a half centuries back...