The Heavy Ball

'1 min to live. Get to tv sets'

If time's running out on you, stop and read this week's Twitter round-up at the very least

"I've told you a thousand times if I've told you once: no beetroot on my plate"  Getty Images

The countdown
Lalit Modi was counting down to the Olympic opening ceremony.

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"1 min to live. Get to tv sets."
@LalitKModi

One minute to live? That wouldn't have been a particularly upbeat way to start the Games.

The likely story
Pat Cummins may have had tongue in cheek here.

"Shattered that Dressage is almost finished for another Olympics..."
@93Cummins

It's the ellipsis that arouses suspicion. Expert use of punctuation, Pat.

The reminiscence
It seems likely that Lancashire's Gary Keedy was being equally disingenuous while watching the opening ceremony.

"This brings back so many good memories of the BPL opening ceremony….!
" @keeds23

Not sure about the exclamation mark. No need to labour the point, Gary.

The athletes' parade
AB de Villiers wasn't going to bed until he'd seen South Africa's athletes during the Olympic opening ceremony.

"Too many countries starting with an "S"! #olympics"
@ABdeVilliers17

You won't get much sympathy from the Zimbabweans, AB.

The great minds
What's going on here?

First Glenn McGrath:

"A fitting final leg of the Olympic torch relay by Sir Steve Redgrave. What an incredible athlete. 5 Gold medals in 5 Olympics. #truelegend"
@glennmcgrath11

And then Shane Warne:

"How fitting lighting the Olympic flame led by Sir Steve Redgrave. What an incredible athlete. 5 Gold medals in 5 Olympics, WOW !!!"
@warne888

Compare and contrast.

The hardy competitors
Michael Vaughan was shocked by the Olympic archery, which took place at Lord's.

"Never seen scenes like it at Lords... They play on in the heavy rain!!!!!!!!!! Should be inside having a brew now....."
@VaughanCricket

But apparently the archers do get something right.

"The Cricketers dream at Lords.... They get 3 hrs for Lunch...."

The list
Jason Gillespie lets his feelings be known.

"My top 5 overrated things. (in no particular order) Baked beans, twilight saga, tattoo sleeves, the 3rd new ball and beetroot!"
@YCCCDizzy

Not sure anyone rates beetroot all that highly, but we take your point.

Tino Best's modesty corner
"Jealously is for the Weak #keepitreal"
@tinobest

Not jealous of his spelling.

What's your philosophy?
Alviro Petersen has some wise words.

"What's before us and what's behind us, is tiny matters compare to what's within us!! #rememberthisone"
@AlviroPetersen

What if there's a truck before you, Alviro? What if there's a truck before you and it's travelling at 60mph? Is that a tiny matter?

Or what if there's a malevolent ninja behind you brandishing a katana with a frighteningly sharp blade? Should you just ignore him? Are you trying to say that neither of these things is as important as a half-digested sandwich? I'll be honest, Alviro. I've got to question the wisdom of this advice.

The alternative restaurant selection
South Africa's David Miller clearly doesn't know cricket's rules of dining.

"Smashing some #yosushi"
@DavidMillerSA12

Call yourself a cricketer? It's supposed to be Nando's, David.

At least he was smashing it - he got that bit right.

The alternative alternative restaurant selection
Jason Gillespie made an even more controversial selection.

"Toby Carvery very nice! #loveit"
@YCCCDizzy

A carvery. And he didn't even smash it. Disgraceful.

The alternative alternative alternative restaurant selection
Jade Dernbach reports strange goings-on at Surrey as well. This is really getting out of hand.

"@SMeaker18 @roryburns17 @JasonRoy20 have pushed the boat out and nominated pizza xpress for lunch. Hard for them not to have nandos!"
@Jwd_16

Cricketers considering Nando's but going for pizza instead? The world is changing. I fear I no longer recognise it.

Nando's Watch
Wait. Yorkshire's Andrew Gale has something to say.

"Good day, apart from the rain. Lythy was different class. Harmy was firing tonight. Tomorrow will be a good day. Time for Nando's!!"
@GaleyLad

Faith restored.

Andrew GaleDavid MillerLalit ModiAlviro PetersenAB de VilliersMichael VaughanGary KeedyJade DernbachShane WarneGlenn McGrathJason GillespiePat CumminsTino Best

Alex Bowden blogs at King Cricket