At the G7, the British press corps was told to keep it down – thanks to Ben Stokes

The cricketer’s ascent to national hero had the unlikely effect of rendering his nation even more of an international pariah

Ben Stokes of England celebrates hitting the winning runs (Getty)

The United Kingdom stands alone when it comes to the international export of competitive sport. The world’s games were, for the most part, our games first.

But, for whatever reason, and even though the first international cricket match was contested between the USA and Canada, the most noble game of all has struggled to penetrate beyond what was once the empire.

Never before, surely, can the world’s loss have been more keenly felt than in the media centre of the G7 summit in Biarritz on Sunday afternoon, where Ben Stokes’s unstoppable ascent to national hero had the unlikely effect of rendering his nation even more of an international pariah.

In the UK corner, work had all but ground to a halt from lunchtime onwards. The other G7 members – Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States – even with the best intentions, these, alas, are countries not strictly capable of taking even a passing interest in an afternoon of unprecedented heroics.

As Stokes clattered ball after ball into Headingley’s Western terrace, actual G7 organisers dealt with complaint after complaint. A German broadcaster had to explain, live on air, what the shouting behind him was all about.

Had there been a breakthrough on the backstop? Not exactly.

One Dutch journalist told the British press corps to “celebrate quietly if your team scores another goal”.

There are, naturally, no shortage of Brexit metaphors here, about two sides that just don’t understand each other, that are playing by different rules. Something about Churchill, and Britain’s choice between Europe and the open sea.

Still, these are the moments of triumph to savour. Less than 70 days until Brexit, a problem still in search of a solution. And at Old Trafford next week, Australia will have Steve Smith back.

Yours

Tom Peck

Political sketch writer