I don’t usually have anything against political correctness. In fact, most of the time I think I’m quite a strong advocate for it: I think, for example, that we should all use language which is inoffensive and accommodating to all people, regardless of gender, ethnicity or whatever. As a cricket fan, however, I have to say that the recent switch from referring to the person currently batting as ‘the batsman’ to ‘the batter’ kind of irritates me. Obviously the change was made in order to reflect the fact that cricket can be played by women as well as men; and I would have nothing against it, were it not for the fact that, as a word, ‘batter’ is something I think goes on fish. Whenever I hear it used on the sports bulletins, I automatically think of fish and chips – it sounds so odd and unnatural. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking this. I suppose it’s just something I’ll have to get used to, but I suspect the fish association will stick for quite some time.