In his weekly look at the sports world, MIKE BACON tells of his enjoyment of this weather as summer sports at last get a fair crack of the whip

East Anglian Daily Times: Spectators lay on giant bean bags watching the action on the big screen at the Open. Look at the parched ground! Photo: PASpectators lay on giant bean bags watching the action on the big screen at the Open. Look at the parched ground! Photo: PA (Image: PA Wire)

I love the sun. I love the heat.

This beautiful summer weather we are enjoying may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me – and summer sports – it couldn’t be more wonderful.

For far too many years sport at this time of the year has been hit by poor weather, with too much rain, when it should be sunny.

The local cricket season has been a big sufferer over the years, weekend wash-outs in the middle of June and July too regular an occurrence. It’s good cricket has got some continuity this year.

I haven’t known a speedway season to go on so long – well from the end of April anyhow – with so few rain-offs. You would have to go back to the 1980s I reckon to find such good fortune, weather-wise.

No, this current climate is something for us summer-loving sports fans to enjoy.

That happy knowledge that you can leave your golfing umbrella in the shed when you go to play.

East Anglian Daily Times: Spectators watch the action at sun-drenched Carnoustie Photo: PASpectators watch the action at sun-drenched Carnoustie Photo: PA (Image: PA Wire)

That your cricket game this weekend will go ahead and that the sun block must be packed.

And no need to keep looking out the window on a Thursday night to see if any black clouds are descending on Foxhall Stadium.

I could enjoy the weather like this until the end of September quite frankly. And as for ‘the gardens needing it’...

Of course all this dry does have its casualties!

I heard of a pre-season football game that was called off this week because the ground was too hard.

I’m not surprised, I had terrible difficulty getting my tee peg into the ground when I went over to Kingfishers, formerly Cretingham Golf Club, this week, to play a few holes and catch up with their new ownership... More of that in next week’s EADT and online.

Anyhow, back to the weather and back to golf.

East Anglian Daily Times: Local cricketers are enjoying a sumer with few cancellations and games affected by the weather Photo: ANDY ABBOTTLocal cricketers are enjoying a sumer with few cancellations and games affected by the weather Photo: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Currently we are in the middle of the Open – the oldest golf Major in the world and for me and many others, by far the best.

British courses are notoriously hard to slay, although the Open this year, with the ground so hard is fascinating.

Fairways are literally like motorways and the players today hit the ball so far anyhow that 400+ drives this weekend will be more the norm, than unusual.

Even 18-handicappers like myself can feel like a big hitter in this weather as one strolls down the fairway... “Oh, just a pitch to this 410-yard par 4 then for my second shot?”. Don’t worry, winter will get us back!

OK, so on the golf course you are in the lap of the gods with bounces and runs, but I’d rather be in shorts and tee shirt, than muffed up to the hilt in rain jackets and waterproofs.

So, continue to enjoy the sun, sports fans... Those dank, dark, wet, cold days are... sadly... not really that far away.

East Anglian Daily Times: England players celebrate after Shikhar Dhawan was run out during the third Royal London One Day international at Emerald Headingley, Leeds. It's been a good one-day summer for England, the weather a treat! Photo: PAEngland players celebrate after Shikhar Dhawan was run out during the third Royal London One Day international at Emerald Headingley, Leeds. It's been a good one-day summer for England, the weather a treat! Photo: PA (Image: PA Wire)

I say, I know basketball is very full-on, but did you hear about the game between the Philippines and Australia earlier this month?

A mass fight broke out on court in the third quarter of the Aussies’ victory, in the Philippine Arena, in Manilla.

Thirteen players were ejected from the game, and it had to be later stopped after the Philippines were left with just one player on court.

All 13 players have since been banned for 35 games between them, while the Philippines head coach Vincent Reyes has been suspended for a game and the referees that day have been removed form the International Basketball Federation’s Elite Programme.

One of the funniest things of it all was a tweet put out by Filipino boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao.

He didn’t need to use any words to describe his thoughts on the brawl. He just tweeted a picture of a basketball and a boxing glove!

I’ve started swimming!

Not that I couldn’t swim. Just that I’ve decided to start swimming more.

Down at Felixstowe Leisure Centre, (other Leisure Centres are available), once or twice a week, just swimming lengths.

I’ve never been hugely into swimming but always enjoy going in the sea on my hols abroad. And I must admit once you get into swimming, it’s great.

It has a bit of everything, cardio, stamina, working your muscles, and what is nice is, you don’t have to bomb up and down the pool like Michael Phelps.

If, like me, your knees are suffering a bit from all the football in years gone by, I recommend it.

Finally, and a little plug. The new Kings of Anglia magazine comes out next month.

If you haven’t seen one before, could I take the liberty of suggesting, especially if you are an ITFC fan, past or present, you will enjoy. The magazine’s editor is a bit of a show pony who likes speedway!!!!.... But don’t let that spoil if for you!