David Gower puts forth some candid views on a range of topics, mostly cricket, in an email conversation in the Independent. A sample of the questions and answers is here:
Does the IPL spell the end of Test cricket and should England's players be allowed a crack at it next year? What? Six weeks razzle-dazzle enough to consign over a hundred years of Test cricket to the dump? You must be off your rocker. Twenty20 is here to stay and will energise the game around the world, but players, however grateful for IPL and, in the future, EPL cash, still know that they will be judged by their record as Test players. The ECB might well make some concessions to their contracted players re the IPL, but a lot depends on how plans for an EPL develop. Until those are clear we need to hold fire.
Some of your peers have been playing beach cricket Down Under. Would it interest you? The second word is "off".
How did you feel about Prince William's recent flying antics? Can't fault him. His equipment is a bit too modern for me – you can't beat the old Tiger Moth for real flying – but I like his spirit!
Michael Atherton, meanwhile, has also been dealing with emails, this time those that have come in to him at the Times Online, having just completed his first full week as chief cricket correspondent for the Times.
