Bumble discusses his new favourite bands, England's bright future and Pakistan's problems in his blog.
Bumble names the songs you should be listening to
I've just got back from a short five-day break over in Spain ahead of the third Test.
As you'll be able to see during the Test match coverage, I went over to Benidorm where I stood out like a sore thumb because I didn't have a bald head, tattoos or an ill-fitting football shirt!
While I was there I read Mark E Smith's latest book, called 'Renegade', which is absolutely terrific. He's completely off the wall and my favourite line was when he said: "In these days of political correctness, the presenters of morning television should have ashtrays on the table and they should all be wheezing and coughing." Absolutely brilliant!
The book is a bit like one of Jeremy Clarkson's, but in more of a Daily Sport style. He's a great character and I'd love to meet him, though I think he'd scare me to death.
I'm a pretty recent convert to The Fall and they're one of those bands where you either get them or you don't. I love the sound and I laugh at the lyrics - though I'm not sure that I'm supposed to.
They're playing a gig at Manchester Academy at the end of June, but unfortunately it coincides with the fifth one-day international between England and New Zealand so I won't be able to make it.
My music tastes are actually quite diverse. I've recently come into contact with Keane, although their singer Tom didn't look too impressed when I told him I like The Fall.
Another great CD I picked up recently is by a band called Half Man Half Biscuit who have a song called 'National S**** Day'. It tells the story, which everyone must have experienced, of going to catch the train but it gets cancelled and then the replacement bus breaks down.
I don't know if I prefer that song or the one called '99% Of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd'!
Another record to look out for is by a bloke called Star Turn, who is a hilarious pub singer from Whitley Bay and cannot sing a note. I had to pay 30 quid for his CD on the Internet, but it's worth it.
Take a look on You Tube at his song 'Pump Up The Bitter' or his murdering of 'Roll With It' by what he refers to as the Oasises.
And check out the lyrics to his song 'Are You Affiliated' - "Life is just a fruit machine spinning round, two plums on the bandit, lend me a pound. Jackpot, jackpot." It's mind-blowingly funny!
Good news
I'm off to Trent Bridge for the third Test this week and I'd say it's pretty good news for England at the moment.
They changed the side before the second Test match in New Zealand and Michael Vaughan said privately to me at the time that he was excited by this new team.
This will be the fifth test match in a row with the same side and they've won three of them so I think he's been vindicated.
I also like the strength in depth we have. I still like Steve Harmison because he's still the bowler that puts fear into opposition batsmen and I think the likes of Chris Tremlett will provide good competition for places.
I reckon things are looking very good for the Ashes next year, especially after Australia couldn't beat an average West Indies side on the final day. They had all day to bowl them out and it finished in a draw.
I feel the explanation for that is very simple - no Shane Warne.
Without Warne, Australia have nothing to compare to Monty Panesar, who I believe will take 300 Test wickets and is miles better than what the Aussies have got. So things are looking good for 2009.
Duty
