Only Labour could turn victory into defeat | Letters
I despair of Labour’s ability to turn an election victory into a rumbling disaster (Briefing war spotlights relationships between three of Labour’s most senior figures, 12 November).To see the kerfuffle over whether or not Wes Streeting has leadership ambitions and to see that become a huge distraction from everything that should be dominating political thinking is awful.I want everyone who has a role in this government to distinguish themselves from their predecessors.They can do this by showing that they understand their purpose: to act only in the interests of the country.Unless they do this, public confidence in politicians will continue to plummet.
Bevelie ShemberRugby, Warwickshire Your editorial (12 November) argues that Keir Starmer “has failed to signal a resonant or consistent purpose to his leadership; he shows no natural capacity for public persuasion”.The moment Starmer and his “changed” Labour party were required to do more than either not be leftwing like Jeremy Corbyn or not be the despised Tories, the project began to fall apart.Neither Starmer nor the faction that helped him become prime minister have any new or different ideas to address the multiple problems facing the country.All that’s left is the worn-out strategy of triangulating to the right, mere self-preservation to stay in charge, and anonymous hostile briefings against any would-be challengers.Derrick CameronStoke-on-Trent Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Jake Paul’s Joshua fight is all about fame and bluster, money and eyeballs | Jonathan Liew
“If it’s all straight up and proper, you would worry that he takes this kid’s head off,” reckons Barry McGuigan. “Could get his jaw broke, his head smashed in, side of his head caved in, God forbid he could get a brain bleed,” says Carl Froch on his YouTube channel. “It could be the end of him. It could be his last day on Earth,” David Haye tells Sky News, with the sort of apocalyptic glare I try to give my children when they want to jump in a muddy puddle.Yes, this week everyone appears to be deeply concerned for the wellbeing of 28-year-old YouTube celebrity Jake Paul
The Spin | Stokes’ England have reminded us all that cricket is meant to be fun
Nobody talks about the last ball of the Ashes. It’s the first that’s famous. That wide that flies to slip, that cover drive for four, that wicket, bowled him! Last balls? I had to look them up. Moeen Ali slicing a drive behind to finish an innings defeat in a dead rubber in 2015; Boyd Rankin being taken at slip off Ryan Harris, Rankin playing in his one and only Test at the fag-end of a 30-over collapse in a 5-0 whitewash that’s been full of them in 2014; a Steve Harmison bouncer ricocheting away off Justin Langer’s shoulder for four leg byes, the only four Australia score in a run chase they’ll never get to make in 2005.It’s the difference between wondering how things will go, and knowing how they do
Starc says Australia players upset at Ashes opener’s move from ‘Gabbatoir’ to Perth
Mitchell Starc has admitted that Australia’s players are upset at the decision to shift the opening Ashes Test from its traditional home of Brisbane’s Gabba – nicknamed “the Gabbatoir” because of its reputation as the graveyard of touring sides, and a ground where England have won just two of their last 20 games dating back to 1946 – to Perth Stadium.Asked whether his side could expect to enjoy a similar advantage at the first Test’s new venue, Starc said: “We’ll find out in a week, won’t we? They don’t listen to the players, we would have liked to start in Brisbane, too.”England’s Gus Atkinson said that though “there are no scars for me” from his country’s previous failures in Brisbane given he is a first-time Ashes tourist, “history would say it’s probably a good thing we’re not starting at the Gabba”.But Isaac McDonald, chief curator at Perth Stadium, defended the decision, saying that the city’s relative proximity to England makes it a sensible first stop, and adding that he is enjoying the extra attention that comes with hosting the first game of a marquee series.“We’ve actually opened the last four summers here,” McDonald said
The NFL says Jameis Winston is a ‘national treasure’. The NFL is very wrong
Hear the term “national treasure” and odds are you think of someone like Dolly Parton, Betty White, Simone Biles or Tom Hanks. They are comforting, widely admired and have uncontroversial histories.And then there’s Jameis Winston.To celebrate Winston getting the call as the New York Giants starting quarterback last weekend, the NFL created a hype video, splicing a bunch of his goofiest quotes during his meandering journey through various NFL teams. It also, somewhat dubiously, accompanied the video with a comment calling him “a national treasure”
Shoaib Bashir a surprise inclusion in England squad for first Ashes Test
England have hedged their bets two days out from the start of the Ashes by naming a 12-man squad for the first Test, with Shoaib Bashir a surprise inclusion.The 22-year-old’s addition suggests the tourists will wait until morning of the first Test before deciding whether conditions at Perth Stadium would suit four seamers or the addition of a spin bowler.Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are both in the 12-man selection, indicating that there are no doubts about either pace bowler’s fitness. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the bowling group, with the latter most likely to miss out should Bashir make the starting XI.Brendon McCullum, the England coach, had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted five previous Tests – two against India and one against each of New Zealand, Pakistan and the West Indies – in which 134 wickets have fallen to pace bowling and only 40 to spin
Booker prize winners, rap hits and Ryder Cups: interpreting the Ashes omens
History shows that surprisingly random factors can have an impact on whether England or Australia lift the urnContrary to what you may have read in some other publications, Josh Hazlewood’s hamstring injury is a massive boost to Australia’s hopes of victory in the first Test in Perth. The 34-year-old, you see, has proven beyond all doubt over an 11-year international career that he is a terrible hindrance to his team.Since the Tamworth-born terror made his Test debut in December 2014 he has played in 76 of Australia’s 107 Tests, of which they have won 39 (51%), while losing 24 (32%). Decent numbers, but it’s when you strip him from the side that they really thrive, with 22 wins (71%) and just five defeats (16%) in 31 games. His impact in the Ashes, if anything, is even more damaging: they have won 50% and lost 33% of their 18 games with him, but won 71% and lost just 14%, a single rogue game, of their seven without his malign presence
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