I imagine that some of the jokes were on the lines of 'you can play for 5 days and still not get a result'. It seems that North Americans like a game that somebody wins, but a draw or a tie is a result, especially if the games are played in a series. A hard-fought draw can be really exciting.

I would have thought that the fascination we cricket lovers have with statistics would have appealed over there, though. I'm not really sure why cricket isn't so popular in Canada, as it is in Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and all the other former 'pink bits' on the map. Perhaps because it's a summer game.

If any transatlantic vistors to these shores (what shores? mines a pint) wishes to get more intimate with the game, I'll willing accompany them to a game (Headingley, Leeds preferably). I'll also explain what's going on (like, it's raining so there's no play).

To experience cricket properly you need to sit out there with plenty of beer, and soak up the atmosphere. It's really just about sitting in the sun with your mates and drinking beer!