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Speaking of which, this is from today's Telegraph crossword:

Game that's unfair if not in front? (7)

I know the answer though I don't quite get it. In fact one or two of the answers today made me scratch my head.

Orson, even though it's sport - and a specific sport at that - I can help you! If you stick 'It's not...' in front of the answer, that's a phrase meaning 'unfair'.

Thanks, malone, it's quite clear now. I tend to think of it as "it's not cricket" rather than just "not cricket", but Chambers does have the latter.

Thanks, Orson. I've never heard the phrase used, but know of its existence, though not the subtleties, 'it's..' or just 'not...'.

Re Yorkshire & cricket...
I was working in a hotel in Birmingham in the mid 80s. TThe general manager walked into the bar where I worked and asked me " You like cricket don't you ? " Yes, I said. " So you know what Fred Trueman looks like " Er, yes, I replied, of course. " Good, because he's in room 420 and we need to move him to another room " ! Seemed a very nice bloke.

Hi Malcolm,

I managed to see Fred bowl for Yorks in the mid 60s - I was about 15 and it was the summer holidays. He was nearing the end of his career but still ran in fast - I was pleased to see him play because he was, and still is, a hero of mine.

Fred was born at Scotch Springs Lane, Stainton in the south of the County - I was born just down the road at Sandbeck, in a farm labourer`s cottage on the Earl of Scarbrough`s ( not Scarborough) Estate, not far from Roche Abbey. Mum new the Trueman family and told me they were even `rougher` than we were!
Chris Waters ( Yorkshire Post Cricket writer ) wrote an excellent biography of Fred which gives a good account of his life and character.

Hi tyke
He retired to a little hamlet (not even a village) near us, called Flasby. There's a great bronze statue of him by the canal in Skipton.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g209940-d11403228-Reviews-Freddie_Trueman_Statue-Skipton_North_Yorkshire_England.html

Hi Chrise

I love Skipton - I`ve had a nice drink in the `Woolly Sheep` more than once. This was a few years before the statue - if lockdown ever ends I`ll talk my mates into having a cultural trip to Skipton to see it - we travel by train so no parking/driving problems.

Point of trivia - Fred`s daughter married Raquel Welch`s son, although, sadly, the marriage only lasted a couple of years.

Tyke

I stayed at a hotel in Bolton Abbey, Skipton for a meeting about 25-30 years ago and the staff told us that the marriage had recently taken place. They told me that I had the same room as Raquel. I wasn't sure if they were winding me up, but you have confirmed it. I have always been proud that I have slept in the same bed as Raquel Welch.

Jigjag

I can remember Brian Johnston winding Fred up on TMS about the wedding. I think Fred invited Raquel & family to stay with them for the weekend ( that`s what I call `something for the weekend`) but Raquel`s management team felt she and her entourage might be too large to squeeze into the Trueman residence.