Stars on Sunday: A colourful glimpse into the wonder years of the John Player League

I need to be more specific. You see, whenever we’re asked to recall any sport in a particular era, there’s a temptation to trot out a series of facts or images that might be true and faithful but are hardly intimately connected with the topic under discussion.

The name of the Prime Minister is a favourite. The singer or song that was No1 in the charts for much of a particular year is another. Chuck in a favourite food, especially if it’s no longer available – say Vesta Chow Mein – and the job’s a good ‘un.

Except that it isn’t. We haven’t been able to place these events within the precise context of the cricket we were watching. So let me be more precise, still. Remember cricket on TV on Sunday afternoons in the 70s?