THE HEADLINES ebb and flow but this last week in American sport gushed in an entertaining torrent of confusion. It didn’t matter if the moment was glorious, seedy, violent or downright miraculous, skill and common sense ranked low and we, the humble onlookers, were all the better for it.

The St Louis Cardinals secured an 11th World Series success as they beat the Texas Rangers 6-2 in the seventh and final game between the two.