There are few better indications that a glorious summer is to reach its peak than the knowledge that England and Australia are about to commence battle in the Ashes and Tynwald is due to go in recess.

Before that can happen, however, we have two minor hurdles. One is the July sitting of Tynwald and the other is England’s men attempting to win the Cricket World Cup.

Past experience has told us that both can result in the participants ending up on the floor in a crumpled heap of tears. But, what’s that, you say? England have just won the World Cup in the most thrilling one day international in the history of cricket?!

Does that mean this week’s Tynwald sitting is going to be a triumph to unite a previously disinterested and sceptical nation? Don’t hold your breath.

It is only fair to point out that this preview is going to have many more references to cricket, but we’ll try to give Tynwald a mention too.

Just as spectators at Lord’s were left wondering what was going on at the thrilling climax of the home nation’s encounter with New Zealand, quite a few observers in the Isle of Man have been scratching their heads about events at the Post Office.

Helpfully chairman Julie Edge is due to give a statement at today’s sitting. Presumably it won’t give full detail of the overall retail strategy that is due in October but it might give a few more indications.

We are also due statements from Speaker Juan Watterson, who is chairman of the select committee on poverty, and from Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas, on cold, hunger and homelessness. In an ideal world, these two statements will complement each other and show a shared sense of purpose. Mr Thomas is also scheduled to give a statement on the funding of nursing and residential care.

Some government ministers may be hoping they can spin like an Adil Rashid googly, as they look for support of the latest SAVE progress report and for approval of the new cost of the half-tide dock in Liverpool. Members will also be asked to receive the interim report on the proposed refinancing of the Steam Packet.

More help for early years childcare will be on the table, while Daphne Caine (Garff) has a motion calling for a separation of policy from service delivery in education. Would this result in teachers having to spend less time adjusting their lesson plans to suit political whim?

There will also be bids to ditch the age differentials in the minimum wage and obtain a firmer commitment on the licensed cultivation of cannabis, plus a call for an examination of the system under which the Isle of Man is represented on the international stage. Add in concerns over the strategic plan and a motion about civil service pay and conditions and that should ensure a Tynwald sitting of Test match proportions.

Epic

Rather like Sunday’s World Cup Final, the question paper itself is epic. With 89 questions - that’s just two below Kane Williamson’s tournament strike rate - we may find ourselves wishing we could go straight to the Super Over and get it all over and done with.

The last 40 of those questions are for written answer, which leaves us trying to squeeze 49 into a nominal two and a half hours. For a fun game, let’s see if any minister manages a deflection as effective as that from a prone Ben Stokes in the final over of normal play.

It might be easier to list the subjects that aren’t covered, but instead we will just mention one or two highlights.

They include free school meals for children and the reliance on the food bank, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, animal welfare, when the NSC upgrade will be complete, the promenade redevelopment, teachers’ pay and the implementation of the Abortion Reform Act.

If that doesn’t excite you, just find a repeat of Sunday’s cricket.

There are few better indications that a glorious summer is to reach its peak than the knowledge that England and Australia are about to commence battle in the Ashes and Tynwald is due to go in recess.

Before that can happen, however, we have two minor hurdles. One is the July sitting of Tynwald and the other is England’s men attempting to win the Cricket World Cup.

Past experience has told us that both can result in the participants ending up on the floor in a crumpled heap of tears. But, what’s that, you say? England have just won the World Cup in the most thrilling one day international in the history of cricket?!

Does that mean this week’s Tynwald sitting is going to be a triumph to unite a previously disinterested and sceptical nation? Don’t hold your breath.

It is only fair to point out that this preview is going to have many more references to cricket, but we’ll try to give Tynwald a mention too.

Just as spectators at Lord’s were left wondering what was going on at the thrilling climax of the home nation’s encounter with New Zealand, quite a few observers in the Isle of Man have been scratching their heads about events at the Post Office.

Helpfully chairman Julie Edge is due to give a statement at today’s sitting. Presumably it won’t give full detail of the overall retail strategy that is due in October but it might give a few more indications.

We are also due statements from Speaker Juan Watterson, who is chairman of the select committee on poverty, and from Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas, on cold, hunger and homelessness. In an ideal world, these two statements will complement each other and show a shared sense of purpose. Mr Thomas is also scheduled to give a statement on the funding of nursing and residential care.

Some government ministers may be hoping they can spin like an Adil Rashid googly, as they look for support of the latest SAVE progress report and for approval of the new cost of the half-tide dock in Liverpool. Members will also be asked to receive the interim report on the proposed refinancing of the Steam Packet.

More help for early years childcare will be on the table, while Daphne Caine (Garff) has a motion calling for a separation of policy from service delivery in education. Would this result in teachers having to spend less time adjusting their lesson plans to suit political whim?

There will also be bids to ditch the age differentials in the minimum wage and obtain a firmer commitment on the licensed cultivation of cannabis, plus a call for an examination of the system under which the Isle of Man is represented on the international stage. Add in concerns over the strategic plan and a motion about civil service pay and conditions and that should ensure a Tynwald sitting of Test match proportions.

Rather like Sunday’s World Cup Final, the question paper itself is epic. With 89 questions - that’s just two below Kane Williamson’s tournament strike rate - we may find ourselves wishing we could go straight to the Super Over and get it all over and done with.

The last 40 of those questions are for written answer, which leaves us trying to squeeze 49 into a nominal two and a half hours. For a fun game, let’s see if any minister manages a deflection as effective as that from a prone Ben Stokes in the final over of normal play.

It might be easier to list the subjects that aren’t covered, but instead we will just mention one or two highlights.

They include free school meals for children and the reliance on the food bank, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, animal welfare, when the NSC upgrade will be complete, the promenade redevelopment, teachers’ pay and the implementation of the Abortion Reform Act.

If that doesn’t excite you, just find a repeat of Sunday’s cricket.