Tom Russell
@callatruce.bsky.social
Misanthropic optimist. Here to discuss film-making, test cricket, law and mediation. And other stuff sometimes.
Cactus Rose was just selected by Nightpiece Film Festival 2026 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) via FilmFreeway.com! My beautiful little film will be showing in Edinburgh next month and is highly recommended viewing 🌞🌵🥀 tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/nig...
On a hot weekend in Nottingham, the memory inevitably drifts back to a dramatic Sunday which seems like yesterday. The old ground was an amphitheatre of tension that afternoon. A little brain snack for the tea break below... 🌞😀🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
I attended a test match some time ago in which the English team conceded 362 for 4 on the first day and everyone seemed a bit despondent. On the Monday morning, England won by nine wickets with time to spare. Just saying... 🌞🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
There was a very good event last evening hosted by @thecricketer.com at the Poppy & Pint pub to celebrate the life of a Nottinghamshire great. Here's a little puzzle on the same theme to complete during the first drinks break. 🏏🌞😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
I was appalled to learn the time of the England match yesterday. Usually, I go out on my bike when England plays in these tournaments, taking advantage of quiet roads. This is typical of the two-tier sports scheduling in this country. One rule for football fans. Another for solitary cyclists. 😐
I came across this excellent gravestone during a walk in the Peaks today. "For when the one great scorer comes To write against your name He writes not that you won or lost But how you played the game." Which rather reflects my philosopy. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
A tale in two pictures. 1. Victoria Park, Hong Kong taken on Sunday, before the hard reality of flight cancellations landed. 2. The view from the departure lounge at Vancouver airport around 15 hours ago. Yes. We came home through Canada. And I think it's Friday.
Swinger, when starting out, genuinely is beautiful, but occasionally naughty (6)
When Root and Smith were batting yesterday, I suddenly recalled Graham Gooch's infamous words in 1986. You know. World XI at one end, Ilford 3rd XI at the other. Here's a puzzle dedicated to the Ilford 3s. 😇😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @guerillacricket.bsky.social
Here's a puzzle for late-night test match listeners. Who's missing from this group of not-so-merry men? 🏏🦆😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @wisdencricket.bsky.social @acscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social
The SCG Ashes test has seen many dramatic moments over the years. This time, I'll consider it a success if I get to three crossword puzzles. Here's one in memory of those who didn't quite make it. Have a good'un everyone. 🏏😎 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
Centenary test vibes at the MCG. Or, as the MD would say: "We under-over-prepared, maybe, or another thing, I dunno, 20 percent, or something, my vocabulary isn't great, don't bash the pope" 🫢🤔🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @liebcricket.com @davidkhopps.bsky.social
The greatest innings ever played in a boxing day test match at the MCG was Alan Mullally's 16 in 1998. Discuss. A puzzle below to consider whilst you draft your discussion papers. Festive cheers to one and all! 😎🦆🏏🎅 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
A homage below to the famous "test of many three-fors". A rare historic time when the English team arrived in Adelaide with a lead and hammered it home. Also a time when players were more anagramable! 😇😍🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social
Six wickets in one day fall to legside catches at Adelaide! I can't help but to recall a horrible pre-lunch moment in 1991 and the silliness which preceded it. Here's to a good day's night. 🏏😁 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @melindafarrell.bsky.social
I yearn for the days when English medium pacers were outgunned by fiery Australian quicks. Vice versa is much more depressing. A puzzle below in homage to some hapless dibbly-dobblies of yesteryear. Enjoy the game, if you dare! 🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
The Gabba 1998: I couldn't get a ticket for the first day and spent it in a nearby bar drinking beer with Syd Lawrence. Great fun! I hope everyone who's there 27 years later is having as good a time. A puzzle below for the night owls. 😎🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
I know there's a test match about to get underway in Brisbane. And it's crucial and all that. But I can't help thinking about a man with a firecracker square cut and a wonderful moment I was lucky to witness 34 years ago. Enjoy the game! @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social
The five pacemen of the Ashocalypse have ridden into view. And it was some entrance. Some of us remember the Gabba test in 1990, but this feels more ruthless. Don't blink. Breathe. Here's something for the first drinks break. 🏏😍 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
Ashes Fever! At an unhappy hunting ground for English tourists, will ultra positivity herald a change of fortune? Or will the hype be followed by hiccups? Here's a puzzle to remind you of the pace and bounce! 🏏😎 @georgedobell.bsky.social @geofflemon.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
This person knows A LOT about history. A voice worthy of listening. 👍👂👂
Dan Snow@thehistoryguy.bsky.social · 10mo agoNationalism is a shibboleth. The challenges we face are daunting. But we are not going to overcome them by hunkering down behind of imaginary lines scrawled on a map by medieval warlords. Our problems are transnational, and the solutions are too.
Fifteen years between the first day at school and the first at university. And, just like that, parental redundancy!
It is ESSENTIAL that we spread far-and-wide the story of these brave filmmakers. And the terrible risks faced by innocent journalists going about their calling. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @mrjamesob.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWm6...
Suburban Mysteries: The Man Who Became A Bear
YouTube video by BSADF
youtube.com
WARNING! DISTRESSING SCENES. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Dear Followers and Friends, Please watch and share this film. It tells the true story of an ill-fated investigation. The awful perils faced by documentary filmmakers is a serious issue of our times. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWm6...
Suburban Mysteries: The Man Who Became A Bear
YouTube video by BSADF
youtube.com
A good day to repost the puzzle below. I was privileged to watch every ball of Graham's 114* at Trent Bridge and his 138 at Edgbaston 4 years later. A wonderful cricketer to be celebrated. @kiaoval.com @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social
Tom Russell@callatruce.bsky.social · 2y agoGood Evening Cricket People of BlueSky! Here's a little puzzle to keep you busy for a few minutes whilst events in Christchurch reach their denouement. Homage to a magical moment 31 summers ago and a really wonderful cricketer who brought about lots of happiness. @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
Some real courage in the face of injury on display in this test match. Here's a puzzle dedicated to those who've been brave enough to leave the treatment table for the field of play over the years. @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social @geofflemon.bsky.social 🏏🙂
I am privileged to have occasionally been in the presence of greatness during my lifetime. Sachin, Brian, Ricky*, Kumar, Jacques. Wonderful. Here's a tribute to the great Joe Root. Enjoy the game, everyone 🏏. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @tmsproducer.bsky.social
