Free speech

I know this is a cricket blog, but Wayne Rooney was totally out of order in moaning about the England fans booing them off the pitch last night.

It can't be a lot of fun for the players to hear that, but Rooney and players of all sports need to remember a couple of things.

Firstly, that freedom of speech is an important tenet of life in this country, as it is in any democracy. I'm all for it, though we all have different opinions. I don't expect everyone to agree with mine all the time (or even some of the time) and I try to remember at all times that I am a supporter, first and foremost. However, if Derbyshire are poor, I will say so.

England were rank rotten last night and if Rooney or anyone else expected to be applauded off after that display then they are as delusional as they are overpaid and, on recent showings, overrated. When someone has paid a lot of money to travel around the world to follow a team, they expect to be entertained or at least see their team put up some sort of display, which England totally failed to do.

This is equally applicable to a county cricket side, whose members and supporters spend reasonable money to see them play. While it is unrealistic to expect them to win every game, most fans will be happy if they see their team competing and doing their best. Derbyshire are doing that in the T20 and I have no complaints.

England? In the accepted parlance, you're 'avin' a larf, mate...