WE have such a diversity of weather in this country that it plays an important part in most of our l (From Warrington Guardian)

WE have such a diversity of weather in this country that it plays an important part in most of our l

With Mike Parsons

If you are like me, having been made aware there is mild or even warm weather on its way, then I will prepare for an outdoors activity such as mountain climbing (Hill Cliff), kite surfing (River Mersey) or shark fishing (Ackers Pit).

When there is a cold snap forecast, then I would plan accordingly and consider something like knitting some socks, baking a pigeon pie or, as a last

resort, doing some dreaded DIY.

That is the way life is and, like everyone else, I just get on with it.

But when it is the weather that plays such a key part in the outcome of a sporting fixture, I have to admit to feeling frustrated by it.

And, in my opinion, far too often the weather unfortunately overrides skill in dictating the outcome of a cricket match - even at the highest level - and can go on to help determine the winner of a series! That's the nature of the sport.

England went into the fourth Test of their South African tour last Thursday with the series all square.

For those of you who may not have followed the action over the festive period, England won the first Test at Port Elizabeth and Africa came out on top at Cape Town in the third Test, which ended Thursday before last.

The second Test in Durban was drawn, but only because of unexpected bad light.

After four days of a gripping confrontation, in which England recovered from a 193-run first innings deficit to look odds-on for victory, storm clouds overhead allowed South Africa's batsmen to withdraw from the crease and end any concerns of falling 2-0 behind in the series. How frustrating was that for both players and spectators?

At that stage, with only 15 overs to go, South Africa, who had put up some determined resistance, were 87 runs short of catching England's total while the

tourists needed to scalp two more wickets and it was the latter that seemed most likely.

The consequences of the draw were that England were left deflated for not having gained a ninth successive Test match victory (and they might if they

had declared from their second innings earlier) and South Africa were buoyed by not having fallen two Tests behind.

It is quite possible that these factors told in the third Test, which was comfortably won by the home country last week.

And now with the series level at 1-1, South Africa go into action in Johannesburg having gained in confidence and now having the belief in themselves again to win the fourth and fifth Tests.

If South Africa had fallen 2-0 adrift, it would then have been no surprise if England had gone on to win all five Test matches. This statement, I know, is speculative but the unfolding pattern does go to show how much the weather can play its part in cricket.