Alice Bateman

Freelance writer. Quondam Accountant. Alumna @BalliolOxford @UCLSSEES All things to do with Eastern and Central European. Occasional cricket tweets

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

I'm moving to where the skies are not grey. I look forward to seeing you there.
@alicebateman.bsky.social

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

@derekpringle I remember Matthew Engel commenting at the time that a cricketer of equivalent ability called Bloggs wouldn't have been appointed captain. 1988 was shambolic! It was also the last time the Windies won a series in England.

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

@ruth_millington Enjoy. ......and say hello to Tamara!

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

I am not sure if it's me being out of touch or the calibre of modern politicians but many of the Ministers sacked today are people I had never heard of before and will probably never hear of again

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

New on my Substack - some thoughts on Poles and Czechs. Are they really neighbours that don't get on?

https://t.co/dIpVN0r9M3

[Jack Russell MBE @jackrussellart]

None Greater #Cricket

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

@SilenceInPolish It was nearly 40 years ago that an elderly Polish gentleman I knew pressed a copy of Louis Fitzgibbon's book into my hand. "I don't want it back" he said "When you've read it pass it on to a friend and get them to do the same." So I did. A shameful episode.

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

@becimay I am old enough to remember the days when academics could only be sacked for gross moral turpitude, something I am sure you would never be guilty of!

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

Far right politicians being Russian assets is not unique to Poland of course. Kaczyński's late brother Lech was clear about the threat from Russia as long ago as the attack on Georgia in 2008, one too many western leaders chose not to see

[Stuart Dowell @StuartDowell_]

Poland's right-wing movement could be about to fracture into a fourth party.

Jarosław Kaczyński's Law and Justice governed Poland from 2015 to 2023 as the only serious home for Polish conservatives.

That's no longer true.

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

Overall I have limited sympathy for Argentinian footballers and their coach who left the press conference in tears. They did have the option of trying to play football but chose not to. #WorldCup2026Final

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

I don't know if his 1999 BBC series on the Catholic Church in the UK post Vatican 2 will ever be repeated but it really should be RIP

[Catherine Pepinster @CPsPepTalk]

We’ve now lost two great radio voices - journalists who spoke with great authority on the Catholic Church. Last week David Willey and now Edward Stourton. Great writers but also charming, kind and willing to help colleagues. RIP.

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

@AnnieChave Batsman, two bowlers in one, fielder, captain. What couldn't he do? Calling him one of the greats seems a bit inadequate doesn't it? RIP

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

McCullum goes but Key stays in his job The two of them were joined at the hip in presiding over the decline of the Test team. Laying down his friends for his life vibes here

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

Reform Twitter and far right Twitter generally has just discovered that Count Binface isn't actually a bin. Every day's a school day I guess

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

@ruth_millington Oh I did! A 99 from the van in Lightwoods Park for £3. Count Binface has promised 99p 99s in his manifesto and I'm here for that 🤣

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

How I am starting today. Cardamom tea with a few mint leaves. Bespoke tea at Damascena

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

Spain v Austria tonight. The Charles V derby

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

I would not criticise Foakes if he told them to stuff it. In any sane cricketing world he would have played 100 Tests.

[The Cricketer @TheCricketerMag]

"If Ben Foakes is fit by the time the Test series against Pakistan starts, England really do need to find room for him" | ✒️ @GeorgeDobell1

https://t.co/kpXgoTk2ir

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

@brendanwalsh53 @The_Tablet For a relatively recently convert to try to teach the Pope is, shall we say, lacking in humility. Telling the Church they've got it wrong is usually the province of convert Anglican vicars.

[Alice Bateman @AliceBateman2]

@AnnieChave We are so lucky to have been here for the era of Stokes. And Root and Broad and Anderson, all of whom make the shortlist for the All Time England XI. But Stokes gets in ahead of Botham for me. Headingley 2019 and Newlands 2020 are peak Stokes with bat and ball respectively.