New Zealand's call-up of the aptly-named Jesse 'Wider' Ryder to their one-day squad to face England may have been a surprise to some, but he follows in the knee-deep footsteps of a number of players of equally epic proportions who have made a considerable impact on the game - and on the ground when they landed on it.
Sometimes I feel sorry for Eddie - not often, of course, but every now and again I'm really broken up for the poor old git. Winter time is a terrible time for him and he mopes around the house all day shivering, just waiting for the new cricket season to arrive.
Three things of great significance with regard to World Affairs happened this week.