Cricket

The genteel world of cricket was rocked this week by the death of Phillip Hughes, an Australian star who was seemingly on his way to greatness. Hughes was hit in the neck by a bowled ball, highlighting the dangers of a sport many think of as an easygoing pastime.

If you don’t follow cricket, you may never have heard of Henry Blofed. He’s a cricket commentator in his 70s. And he’s a raconteur from a bygone British era.

The cricket world woke up to shocking news Thursday. One of cricket’s biggest stars, Sachin Tendulkar of India, announced he’s retiring from the sport. For cricket, it’s like LeBron James calling it quits.

This morning when I logged on to the news, I learned that my cricket hero for the last quarter century is retiring.

Like a modern cicada, the ancient katydid used its legs to make sounds to attract members of the opposite sex. But unlike their modern descendants, the ancient critters produced just a single note.