Writers' block

Long, long ago, when everyone knew their place or were often reminded that they must bow to their superiors, a group of (probably) bored cricket writers following England round Ausralia, formed the Cricket Writers Club.

(That is the MCC logo upside down or back to front by the way. It may tell you a lot about the mindset of the cricket writers of the day.)

All those guys have gone to the great press box in the sky now of course but those who have to deal with 2009 know that the world has changed.

The old guys decreed that the CWC must not act as a trade union which may have been wise in 1946. Now, 63 years on, the constitution of the club badly needs a rewrite. Its officials spend a lot of time negotiating withe rulers of the game about the use of wi-fi, how many seats will be needed in these days of easy travel but difficult newspapers finance and who should sit in those seats because - and this may come as a shock to you - some people will lie about their credentials to get a free seat at a Test match.

If that is not the work of a trade union, I misunderstand their function.

Sadly, there is no appetite within the club for a changed constitution. Remember the case of the three reporters who lost their contract to cover matches and did not know until their heard on the grapevine.

When a debate was offered on this subject at the annual meeting of the CWC this week there was silence. I trust those who remained in their seats never face the same problem, continue to enjoy the lively and entertaining annual dinner and their marvellous way of life.

But if they have not seen the writing on the wall they may find surprises in the next few years.