Tim Bresnan

Grateful to Sir Geoffrey Boycott for revealing that the Cricket Regulator has absurdly fined the Deputy Chairman of Yorkshire CC , Phillip Hodson, £1,000 for telling two allegedly offensive and discriminatory gags at a lunch. The Telegraph says the gags were made at the Scarborough Cricket Club annual lunch. Frankly I find the fine and Mr Hodgson being fired from his role at YCC ridiculous and wrong. You make your own mind about the gags; Joke No 1. “I apologise for looking so tired but this is the third dinner in as many days. On Sunday I was in Halifax, speaking to the local haemorrhoid society where incidentally I received a standing ovation. “ On Monday I was in Hill as a guest of the Gay Liberation Front and I must say it’s gratifying to see so many friendly and familiar faces tonight. Joke No.2 ; “ Everybody’s getting their award and they’ve sold three or four bibles, but this chap has sold 305 bibles and I asked how did you sell 305? At that stage he starts to shutter. “ He explains; ‘Well,well, well I go and knock on the door and the lady comes to the door and I say; ‘ Would, would, would you like to buy a bible or would would you like me to stand here and read it to you.’” Pretty thin material but the idea of him being fined by the English Cricket Board regulator is simply absurd. Apparently only two of 200 guests at Scarborough Cricket Club complained to the Regulator but have decided to keep their anonymity. Appalling you can destroy someone’s reputation but demand you keep your own identity a secret. But even that cowardice is less important than fine being handed out an a reputation destroyed. Can you imagine the ECB committee pouring over the jokes before making that decision. What an odd site. At the minimum Mr Hodson should appeal and hold the ECB up to ridicule. They deserve it.

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