THE All England Lawn Tennis Club opted for the quiet life when bowing to pressure to offer the same prize money for the Ladies' Championships as for the Gentlemen.

Events at Wimbledon over the weekend reminded us of this unnecessary political over-correctness.

To prove the point, name the defeated ladies' singles semi-finalists who each bagged the tidy sum of £212,500.

Media speculation that the ladies' final could become even more compelling if it were to played over five sets is enough to send all but the most ardent fans scurrying for cover.

 

If part of that deal was to reduce the early rounds to a single set if that was won by more than four games, there could be room for negotiation. At least that would save many victims from further punishment.

There was so little to choose between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick in their final that it seemed to make sense for them to shake hands and call it a draw.

A rule should be introduced that only so much re-scheduling for BBC should be permitted.

Too bad that the Swiss genius denied the nation's second favourite Andy from claiming what was rightly his prize for beating their number one.

The biggest hero of the fortnight was that drop of rain that prompted the roof to be closed, allowing the Club to test the potential for late-night tennis to an audience measured at over 12 million.

Less amused were the faithful journalists who were forced to submit copy for the morning papers before the result was known.

It will not take them 12 months to find the light switch should that idea be tried again for such a crucial encounter.

Two Wimbledon mysteries remain unsolved despite the most resolute research.

Why do there appear to be as few British umpires as there are top-flight players and who does the commentary on German radio and television if we get Boris Becker and Michael Stich?

Prior holds key to Ashes success

TODAY is the biggest day for English cricket since the triumphant draw at The Oval in 2005.

The Ashes are back and we need no longer rely on replaying those four-year-old highlights, unless it rains all week.

The 2006-2007 5-0 drubbing down under never happened.

Then it was Michael Vaughan, KP and Freddie, an open topped bus and New Year Honours all round.

Now it’s the first home Test ever played west of Gloucestershire. Even Pakistan will get to play their opening home game in England.

Whatever might divide the teams on previous experience, the moment the Series gets under way today, they will be entering alien territory.

Australia came through their public practice at Worcester without moving into third gear.

The Lions did their best to get Brett Lee selected but were thwarted by a side strain.

The outcome four years ago came down to two balls; one that Glen McGrath trod on during a warm up and one that Shane Warne dropped at slip from a Pietersen edge.

There is every chance the difference between victory and defeat will be that close once again.

In eight weeks time, whether we will be re-living every moment or forgetting they ever happened, may come down the head-to-head at No. 6.

If Matt Prior can maintain his Test run average at anywhere near the current 48.40, England will win.

Festival is last of a dying breed at College Ground

SOONER than many expected, the county’s summer centrepiece gets under way this Sunday.

The Cheltenham Cricket Festival is one of the last in a dying breed.

Taking the County game away on holiday is a delightfully quaint tradition and there is not another setting in Britain that gets close to the College Ground.

The charm of the Cricket Festival is as much to do with banter in the marquees and in games played with tennis balls round behind the stands as on the square.

The Gloucestershire hierarchy leaves little to chance these days and where John Bracewell’s influence becomes more limited, the chairman, John Light takes over.

Then, at the appropriate moment, he hands responsibility to his wife, Penny who will open proceedings on Sunday.

Two weeks after her ordination at Gloucester Cathedral, the Reverend Penny Light will lead the inaugural Cricket Festival Service in the College Chapel at 9.45am.

 Included on the Order of Service are a cricket reading and that most stirring of hymns, ‘Jerusalem’.

 As in all aspects of this remarkable game that has no respect for division by culture or creed, everyone is welcome.