Round his legs

Former BBC DG Lord Hall faced a relentless 70 minute attack of spin, seam and slow balls from the Culture Select Committee this morning.  His position, over Martin Bashir, was extremely weak - he stuck to saying he honestly believed the Panorama reporter who used faked documents to secure access to, and an interview with, Princess Diana deserved a second chance, because he was out of his depth, had cried, and was contrite. 

Then, he argued, the Editor in Chief of the BBC couldn't possibly have even raised an eyebrow with Director of News James Harding at the re-hiring of Bashir as Religious Affairs Correspondent. He, after all had come fresh from rescuing the Cultural Olympics to a new job rescuing the BBC post-Savile. So, naturally, he devolved all big decisions. 

Lord Hall scored no runs, but is not yet out.