"Usman Khawaja will be roasted for the limp defensive prod that he aimed at Graeme Swann when Australia were 147 for one. He could well be replaced in the Oval test by Phil Hughes and Australia's experiment with their Asian immigrant population will be shelved," Berry wrote in the august Daily Telegraph.
It created a minor furore online, with his comment branded by many as idiotic. The offending line was quickly removed online, though it survived in hard copy.
Berry has moved to quell the disquiet, predictably saying he meant no offence. He even went one better than the traditional "I have many good friends who are ..." line, by disclosing his wife of nearly 30 years is an Asian immigrant from India.
Even naughtier
Speaking of over-the-top sports writing, the 21 Years of Rugby News celebratory hardback, which has recently reappeared in Supershorts Towers after a long absence, contained this curious piece from one of its 1970 editions:
"Television appears to be as abhorrent to the hierarchy of the New Zealand Rugby Union as Jews were to Hitler. Harsh criticism, maybe, but this is the only conclusion I can reach," wrote Brian McErlane.
The only conclusion? Really?
Star studded
The soccer season is upon us in England, along with a thousand and one transfer speccy stories. Few clubs will do as well in the market as Conference South side Farnborough, who this week unveiled the signings of Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Pele and Diego Maradona.
As part of an unusual sponsorship agreement with betting company Paddy Power, known for its innovative PR, the club have renamed their ground, updated the kit and all players and even the manager have legally changed their names to footballing legends, according to a report in London daily Metro.
A stain for the game
Monday marks two years since Telecom aborted its Sean Fitzpatrick-fronted and deeply embarrassing "Abstain for the Game" campaign.
Book giveaway
The Herald this week has a special prize to give away to a lucky reader - the magnificently bound and packaged special edition of Jonah Lomu's recently released updated biography, Jonah: My Story, published by Hodder Moa. Just 43 of these books have been made, one for each of the tries he scored (37 in tests, 6 in tour games), and all are personally signed.
To be in the draw to win, all you have to do is answer this simple question: How many tries did Jonah score in the 1995 World Cup semifinal against England?
Write your answers to sportrac@nzherald.co.nz. Only those who put "Jonah book giveaway" in the subject line and include their postal address will be considered for this magnificent prize.
Good luck.
