“CRICKET,” a political leader once said, “civilises people and creates good gentlemen.” (It was Robert Mugabe. No comment.) To some (mainly Americans), it is a baffling game involving a ball and some sticks.

To the English, it is far more important. It symbolises qualities intrinsic to our national character and is identified with such noble phrases as “fair play”, “it’s just not cricket” and “playing a straight bat”. Thus any disagreement involving the game sits about as comfortably as a padded-up wicket keeper in a bubble car.

The Suttoners club have played cricket at Kinson Manor for decades – a good innings – but now the sound of leather on willow is under threat there because the council’s insurers are worried in case stray balls injure someone. Last year a fence was built at one end and the number of strays reduced to seven or eight. That may seem a small number until one lands on your head.

Other than to just pick wimps like me who can’t hit sixes, the options are either for the cricketers to move elsewhere or for something to be done to extend the fence, apparently costing £120,000.

But even if the latter was erected, the insurers have not yet agreed to provide cover. So everyone’s stumped. The club and council are facing a googly but surely a solution cheaper than £120,000 can be found?

We should be encouraging youngsters and adults alike to leave their computer games and TVs and go out and get some fresh air. Not bowling them out by reducing the places where they can do so.

It’s a shame that the cover required to play cricket involves insurance.

And not just a protective box.