Welcome to The Confectionery Stall, my new blog about the world of cricket as it progresses through the barmiest phase in its illustrious history. No-one knows how the sport will look in ten years. It may have mistaken itself for a golden goose, and cooked and eaten itself. It may have turned out actually to be a golden goose, and be living in a golden coop with its golden goslings whilst eating golden goose biscuits. Or it may be largely the same as it is now.

These are curious times for cricket. Following fifteen years which have witnessed some of the most exciting, adventurous Test cricket of all time played by a collection of irreplaceable greats of the game, Test matches around the world are regularly played in front of paltry crowds. Meanwhile, one-day cricket has sunk ever deeper into a mire of formulaic repetition, its showcase tournaments have been festivals of predictability and cack-headed maladministration, yet the spectators return and the tournaments proliferate.

And for pessimistic Test match lovers, Twenty20 looms over the game like the bacon industry over a lovable baby pig.