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Tom Russell

@callatruce.bsky.social
393 followers 386 following 158 posts

Misanthropic optimist. Here to discuss film-making, test cricket, law and mediation. And other stuff sometimes.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
My beautiful short film, Cactus Rose, has wandered off the dusty plain into the Boundless Film Festival for a sip of Bourbon and well-earned rest. Please watch it here: - boundlessfilmfestival.com/cactus-rose/ And feel free to share and vote. 🌵🥀🤠
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
I recall a fascinating test match 34 years ago, the summer when we were introduced to reverse swing in dramatic fashion by its most skilful proponents. But a more traditional style of bowling prevailed in Leeds. Here's a puzzle in homage 🏏😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Cactus Rose was just selected by Nightpiece Film Festival 2026 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) via FilmFreeway.com! My beautiful little film will be showing in Edinburgh next month and is highly recommended viewing 🌞🌵🥀 tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/nig...
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
On a hot weekend in Nottingham, the memory inevitably drifts back to a dramatic Sunday which seems like yesterday. The old ground was an amphitheatre of tension that afternoon. A little brain snack for the tea break below... 🌞😀🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
I attended a test match some time ago in which the English team conceded 362 for 4 on the first day and everyone seemed a bit despondent. On the Monday morning, England won by nine wickets with time to spare. Just saying... 🌞🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
There was a very good event last evening hosted by @thecricketer.com at the Poppy & Pint pub to celebrate the life of a Nottinghamshire great. Here's a little puzzle on the same theme to complete during the first drinks break. 🏏🌞😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
I was appalled to learn the time of the England match yesterday. Usually, I go out on my bike when England plays in these tournaments, taking advantage of quiet roads. This is typical of the two-tier sports scheduling in this country. One rule for football fans. Another for solitary cyclists. 😐
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
I came across this excellent gravestone during a walk in the Peaks today. "For when the one great scorer comes To write against your name He writes not that you won or lost But how you played the game." Which rather reflects my philosopy. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
A tale in two pictures. 1. Victoria Park, Hong Kong taken on Sunday, before the hard reality of flight cancellations landed. 2. The view from the departure lounge at Vancouver airport around 15 hours ago. Yes. We came home through Canada. And I think it's Friday.
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Swinger, when starting out, genuinely is beautiful, but occasionally naughty (6)
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Use a chain shot in choppy waters (5,5,3)
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
When Root and Smith were batting yesterday, I suddenly recalled Graham Gooch's infamous words in 1986. You know. World XI at one end, Ilford 3rd XI at the other. Here's a puzzle dedicated to the Ilford 3s. 😇😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @guerillacricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Here's a puzzle for late-night test match listeners. Who's missing from this group of not-so-merry men? 🏏🦆😀 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @wisdencricket.bsky.social @acscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
The SCG Ashes test has seen many dramatic moments over the years. This time, I'll consider it a success if I get to three crossword puzzles. Here's one in memory of those who didn't quite make it. Have a good'un everyone. 🏏😎 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Centenary test vibes at the MCG. Or, as the MD would say: "We under-over-prepared, maybe, or another thing, I dunno, 20 percent, or something, my vocabulary isn't great, don't bash the pope" 🫢🤔🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @liebcricket.com @davidkhopps.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
The greatest innings ever played in a boxing day test match at the MCG was Alan Mullally's 16 in 1998. Discuss. A puzzle below to consider whilst you draft your discussion papers. Festive cheers to one and all! 😎🦆🏏🎅 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
A homage below to the famous "test of many three-fors". A rare historic time when the English team arrived in Adelaide with a lead and hammered it home. Also a time when players were more anagramable! 😇😍🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Six wickets in one day fall to legside catches at Adelaide! I can't help but to recall a horrible pre-lunch moment in 1991 and the silliness which preceded it. Here's to a good day's night. 🏏😁 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @melindafarrell.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
I yearn for the days when English medium pacers were outgunned by fiery Australian quicks. Vice versa is much more depressing. A puzzle below in homage to some hapless dibbly-dobblies of yesteryear. Enjoy the game, if you dare! 🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
The Gabba 1998: I couldn't get a ticket for the first day and spent it in a nearby bar drinking beer with Syd Lawrence. Great fun! I hope everyone who's there 27 years later is having as good a time. A puzzle below for the night owls. 😎🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Reposted by Tom Russell
George Dobell @georgedobell.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Here’s my preview of today’s Test. A crossroads moment for this regime, I think:
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
I know there's a test match about to get underway in Brisbane. And it's crucial and all that. But I can't help thinking about a man with a firecracker square cut and a wonderful moment I was lucky to witness 34 years ago. Enjoy the game! @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
The five pacemen of the Ashocalypse have ridden into view. And it was some entrance. Some of us remember the Gabba test in 1990, but this feels more ruthless. Don't blink. Breathe. Here's something for the first drinks break. 🏏😍 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Ashes Fever! At an unhappy hunting ground for English tourists, will ultra positivity herald a change of fortune? Or will the hype be followed by hiccups? Here's a puzzle to remind you of the pace and bounce! 🏏😎 @georgedobell.bsky.social @geofflemon.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
This person knows A LOT about history. A voice worthy of listening. 👍👂👂
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Fifteen years between the first day at school and the first at university. And, just like that, parental redundancy!
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
It is ESSENTIAL that we spread far-and-wide the story of these brave filmmakers. And the terrible risks faced by innocent journalists going about their calling. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @mrjamesob.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWm6...
youtube.com
Suburban Mysteries: The Man Who Became A Bear
YouTube video by BSADF
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
Win + Lose = Mam
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
WARNING! DISTRESSING SCENES. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Dear Followers and Friends, Please watch and share this film. It tells the true story of an ill-fated investigation. The awful perils faced by documentary filmmakers is a serious issue of our times. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWm6...
youtube.com
Suburban Mysteries: The Man Who Became A Bear
YouTube video by BSADF
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
A good day to repost the puzzle below. I was privileged to watch every ball of Graham's 114* at Trent Bridge and his 138 at Edgbaston 4 years later. A wonderful cricketer to be celebrated. @kiaoval.com @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @zaltzcricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
Some real courage in the face of injury on display in this test match. Here's a puzzle dedicated to those who've been brave enough to leave the treatment table for the field of play over the years. @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social @geofflemon.bsky.social 🏏🙂
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
I am privileged to have occasionally been in the presence of greatness during my lifetime. Sachin, Brian, Ricky*, Kumar, Jacques. Wonderful. Here's a tribute to the great Joe Root. Enjoy the game, everyone 🏏. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @tmsproducer.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
We begin the 3rd day of an Old Trafford test match with not one over bowled so far by a specialist off spinner. Jim would, I think, not have approved. Here's a puzzle dedicated to the most noble form of bowling. Have a great day everyone! @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
The Put-Em-In Roadshow now visits Manchester! I was out of the country for the Battle of Lord's, but here's a little puzzle to commemorate the courage displayed by those who faced the prospect of batting for 2 overs before the close! 🏏😎 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Happy 50th to a goddamned marvel of modern filmmaking. Get out of the window. Just get out of the window. Please. Just once after all these years.
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
Good Morning Bluesky Cricket! Will England still play to win if the run rate is 20+ per over this afternoon? Here's a little puzzle to while away the morning in memory of a rainy Birmingham test match many years ago. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social #flippergate
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
Watching this England cricket team is a bit like watching the Russian Roulette scenes in the Deer Hunter. Eventually, there will be a bullet in the chamber! Here's a puzzle for the morning session. 🏏😍😎 @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social @oscarress.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
How wonderful that we have another test match today between two teams full of enigmatic and energetic cricketers. Here's a puzzle in memory of a game a few decades ago also involving a few eccentric heroes. Have a great day, everyone! @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
G'day Bluesky Cricket! It's not unheard of for a team to concede the best part of 500 in the first innings at Leeds and then chase over 400 on the last day. But it doesn't really matter who wins. Just love it! @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @melindafarrell.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Some chat on the TMS today as to the relative merits of Bumrah/Marshall. Leaving statistics to one side, a remarkable anecdote about Macco is the Lahore test match of 1986. WI picked 2 spinners for the first time in years and they bowled one over between them! @zaltzcricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Alone and without a ticket at the Gabba in 1998, I wandered into a pub and got chatting to a huge man sitting at the bar for a few hours. It was David Lawrence. Utterly without pretention. Heart-warmingly friendly. Rocking and rumbling. @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Good Morning Bluesky Cricket! If Zimbabwe create an upset over the next few days, it wouldn't be the first time that they've stolen from the rich in the city of Robin Hood. Who's missing from this pride of parsimonious predators? 🏏😁 @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @georgedobell.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Good afternoon Bluesky Cricket People! It seems like a long time since I last saw Zimbabwe play at Trent Bridge. But I've snaffled a ticket for tomorrow. Here's a little puzzle in homage to a famous game back in the day. 😎🏏 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
After extensive testing in both shower and basin, I can confirm that "Hand and Body Cleansing Bar" is the product formerly known as "Soap".
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
A ticket inspector carrying a rooster is my kind of railway platform furniture!
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Freelance enthusiast views Siamese twilight (4,6)
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Spot the Wat!
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
The Chao Phraya at night; Bangkok over there, doing its thing. I sip my drink and read my book.
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
22 Years Later...
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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 28/12/2024
Good Evening Bluesky Cricket! Isn't it great to see youthful adventure blossoming in Melbourne? Here's a little puzzle to while away a few minutes before the start of play. Who's missing? 🏏🤔 @georgedobell.bsky.social @norcrosscricket.bsky.social @melindafarrell.bsky.social
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