The importance of being Ernie

Congratulations to Sarah and Matthew Hoggard on the birth of their son Ernie:

Matthew Hoggard became a father for the first time today, when his wife Sarah gave birth to a 7lb bundle of earthy Yorkshire joy by the name of Ernie - a splendidly robust name for a nipper whose first words are destined to be "Ee-oop" [shouldn't that be Aye - Oop?] , and who can expect to be toddling the dogs across the dales the moment his feet are fitted for their first pair of wellies.

Unfortunately all didn't go well for dad and his team (today he was playing for England) on the field because, as the Cricinfo report continues

Sadly, one family's gain was another family's loss, for when Hoggard limped from the field after 25 overs [ of which he'd bowled 10.1] with a strained abductor muscle, his sidekick Steve Harmison was left looking as forlorn as a newly orphaned chick [or most of the 2006-07 Ashes series]. A wayward, wasteful day's work was the upshot, as he conceded 95 runs from 22 wide and wicketless overs. In the process, the perils of fielding a four-man attack were laid so bare that, had he been listening in from his garden in Cape Town, Duncan Fletcher might even have broken into a broad I-told-you-so grin.

Ernie is an interesting name, one which I thought had dropped out of use, not to mention fashion. When I lived in England many years ago, it was associated with premium bonds and Eric Morecambe's offsider. Nevertheless many Yorkshire supporters must be pleased that the boy was born in one of the (is it four?) ridings.