When TV cricket is dull—and even on the Saturday of the Lord's Test most of the bowling was military medium and most of the batting was of the prod and push variety—I take refuge in the verbal gymnastics of the commentators.

Even when I lay a long plan, it is never in the expectation that I will live to see it fulfilled.

A quick growl scared off the mouse.

There are numerous species of bulbul in India, yet there are also numerous species of bulbul in China, Southeast Asia, and thence all the way eastwards to the Wallace Line.