Anyone for cricket? A Metaphor.

Every so often I read the British cricket reports, since it is the national game of my erstwhile homeland. This season's matches against South Africa have shown an England side that has had some success, but is at the moment chiefly praised for its tendency to hang on, white knuckled, and force a draw in matches that looked as if they were going to collapse in defeat.

The British have been moved, relieved, and divided on this.

One camp snorts derisively at these failures to win, and calls a d...