iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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 · 18/07/2026

And the next leg spinner to play test cricket for England started his career rather wonderfully, snaring Miandad, Malik and Inzaman in splendid fashion. Auspicious beginnings...

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Never before in the history of human sport has the word hubris been so much in use. Diligence has become a slave to vanity.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

1. Get drunk. 2. Get into a fight. 3. Get beaten nice and quickly. 4. Get paid handsomely. #makevillagecricketgreatagain

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

It may be tempting to say that there's a thin line between "ultra positive" and "totally village", but actually the line is thick and obvious. And those adjectives may be used about some of the people involved.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I was uncomfortable when Cook announced his retirement before the last test in 2018. The more so when Broad did so during the last test in 2023. But today takes the biscuit. It prioritises the individual over the team and is not a good look. Contrast with Kane Williamson.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Compare and contrast with how Kane Williamson managed his retirement. No fuss. No speeches. Team first.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Is it preferable to announce your retirement beforehand (Cook, Broad, Stokes)? Or after the event (Hussain, Williamson)? Is the former more about the individual and the latter more consistent with a team ethic? (I ask this notwithstanding my admiration for all the players mentioned).

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

It was Ames or Duckworth back in the Bodyline days. Keeping wicket is an occupation defined by mistakes and always vulnerable to criticism.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Ok Bro, churns out attractive 50s but rarely a match winning innings (5) Which is not indicative, I venture, of a high performance environment. Do you concur?

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

His cover drive off 2D definitely calmed my nerves!

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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 · 27/06/2026

When you remember some of the seamers selected by England between 1993 and 2003, it seems obvious that Martin Bicknell should have played more test matches. He always took new ball wickets in the Championship. Flintoff was just brilliant between 2003 and 2005, against the strongest of opposition.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

I was there on the first day and the final morning. Those were the times when I played at the weekend. Great test match.

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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 · 22/06/2026

No one in the acting profession will ever achieve a 100% record to beat Cazale's achievement of five speaking parts in five such great films. You could practise acting for a thousand years without matching his characterisation of Fredo Corleone.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I've never been particularly impressed by Rob Key. As I recall, he instigated mutiny against Ed Smith's temporary captaincy in 2005, which struck me as a bit childish. He's done nothing since then to convince me that he's a serious adult.

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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 · 16/06/2026

Yeah, sure. Everything. After a while you can call bartenders and faro dealers by their first name - maybe two hundred of 'em! Rented rooms you live in - five hundred! Meals you eat in hash houses - a thousand! Home - none! Wife - none! Kids... none! Prospects - zero. Suppose I left anything out?

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I'd implement a policy of state-manufactured liquorice allsorts being made available and they would actually be full of essential nutrients. And eating them would be compulsory. Which would definitely make everyone happy, possibly. It's really very simple, but no one's had the courage.

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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 · 04/04/2026

BL is a DOP's film. Each take is a masterpiece of framing, light and photography. But it's not a masterpiece of storytelling, acting or characterization. DS is my no.1.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

If you're going to be in only five films in a short career, it's impossible to improve on Cazale's record. An actor's actor who has left a wonderful legacy. "You're my kid brother Mike and I got looked over".

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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 · 01/02/2026

He was aiming to...er... take appropriate steps to...you know...maximise the efficiency of the...know what I mean, mate... touring experience for all legitimate stakeholders...maybe...if that makes sense... obviously...mate...

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

I've checked the website and it appears that Ilford CC now have a 5th XI.

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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 · 29/12/2025

Simon Brown of Durham. His test was against Pakistan at Lord's in 1996. His first wicket was Amir Sohail, lbw playing no shot. I think he might have got a couple more in the second innings. England failed to hold on for a draw on the last day.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Doing a McCague. Without the birthright. But with more opportunities.

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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

I know it was a long time ago and all that. I know the world has moved on. But I still think there's a lot to be learned by taking the time to listen to this interview between CMJ and Bob Appleyard. www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqIU...

youtube.com

Bob Appleyard Interview

YouTube video by a massive zebra

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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 · 18/12/2025

I spent many happy hours playing "flag" during my time as a low quality club cricketer. Clockwise for runs; anti-clockwise for wickets. 😁

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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 · 17/12/2025

Not everyone's favourite cricketer!

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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 · 08/12/2025

Agreed. The UK has an unhealthy relationship with private education. I speak from direct experience, having been traumatised at English boarding schools between the ages of 9 and 18.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

It's like watching a novice chess player accepting every sacrifice, ending up with a king under attack in the middle of the board and only then focusing on some defensive play.

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Tom Russell @callatruce.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

We'll always have 1986, George. No one can take that away from us. 😁

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