Performance of the Day - The Observer Leader writer

Sometimes you just have to recognise genius - no, not him on the right, but The Observer's Leader writer, whom I feel obliged to quote in full. Under the headline "Danke Shane",

"Shane Warne, for years masquerading as an Aussie, is getting in touch with his Germanic roots. Or, more precisely, the German passport office, since an EU identity will allow him to skirt county cricket's impending limit on the number of 'overseas' players. Cynics, not to mention the batsmen who've had to face the spinmeister during his spells at Hampshire, will cry foul. But it's entirely legal. Shane's mother really is called Brigitte (German for Sheila). And the move will unquestionably enrich the tapestry of the great English game. The only question is how the newly Teutonic Herr Warne will go down with the inventively acerbic fans. Will each new wicket be greeted with ironic strains of Hampshire uber alles? Perhaps on reflection it's best not to mention the Warne."

No Englishman has ever played Warne better.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]