WHAT A splendid Test match we have seen in Bangladesh this week.

How much more interesting cricket is when played on a pitch that offers something for the bowlers.

The cricket was compelling and eminently watchable. Perfect pitches where batsmen dominate send me to sleep.

Talking to the Bangladeshi staff at my favourite Indian restaurant (in Castle Street) was a joy.

They both love the game and are proud of their country’s performance which is exactly as it should be.

Mrs Light and I were shown the Adams Cup. “We are undefeated,” said the restaurant staff with joy and delight.

This trophy is contested by a Tony Adams XI and the staff at the town’s Indian restaurants.

Ask to see the photograph if you are dining there and pick out the international footballers playing. Better still, pop in to the Coates ground next year when the match is being played.

If Ian Wright is playing, be careful where you park your car. He is a true power-hitter.

Another charming dining experience led to a cheerful encounter with Andrew Parffrey, veteran opening batsman in the Barnsley Beeches cricket team that won the CDCA first division in 2015.

Andrew is looking forward to yet another season and will again be making himself available for selection.

He tells me that the admirable Ed Latter, who led the team to the table topping position they so richly deserved, will be stepping down as captain. A replacement is needed to fill his very big shoes.

SATURDAY at Forest Green Rovers threw up so many reasons why the club is so special. Four hundred free shirts were distributed to children of the Five Valleys.

A simple and splendid idea to stimulate interest in the club. How many other teams do that?

At the same time, chairman Dale Vince and author Jilly Cooper signed copies of the lovingly compiled book about FGR’s journey to Wembley last year.

These two Cotswold giants have themselves made considerable contributions to the book that is a marvellous read. It has been written with a true love of both the game as well as the club itself these two contributions alone are worth the purchase price.

There was also a football match going on, won 3-0 by the home team. Rovers now head the table by four points and after a visit to Solihull Moors, Dagenham and Redbridge will be the visitors.

Recently relegated from the Football League, The Daggers are striving to return. They will provide stern opposition.

A CHANCE meeting in Cirencester on Saturday caused me to turn again to the book ‘The Lost Cricket Grounds of England’.

There is a chapter on the Cirencester Grammar School ground in Victoria Road. I had encountered Ken Gaskins, cricketer, athlete and long term resident of Cirencester.

He, along with Johnny Tugwell and Dave Collis, is pictured in the book. If you seek out his picture I must warn you that you will not see the smiling Ken of today as he still has all his distinguished black hair. The Ken we know today is follicly challenged.

Several other old grammarians are recognisable. Can anyone name the whole XI? I can manage just five and of course the two umpires.

THE first class cricket scene will have to wait even longer for a city based 20 over tournament. 2020 is the year we may now witness it.

I do not weep. It will transcend county loyalty when it does appear, therefore leaving me behind.

I close with an apology. I wrote Wiltshire last week instead of Worcestershire. I must have been on the sauce. It is the county to the north of us that we hope will be our opponents at Cheltenham.