Zurich, the most populous of the cantons, and the heart of the Swiss banking world, plans to start compulsory English at an early age, maybe even from the first class, the six-plus lot.

ECONOMIST: Do you speak English? Jaa, es bitzli

Boyle, who was accused of dumbing down Radio 4, attended a comprehensive school in Glasgow before gaining a first class degree in English at the University of Strathclyde, and then completing an MA on Charles Dickens.

BBC: Boyle steps down at Radio 4

Joyce, the first batsman to 1, 000 runs this season in English first-class cricket, also believes that Namibia and Scotland are also in with a great chance to take the honours.

BBC: SPORT | Cricket | Joyce's cunning plan for Ireland