We have received some curious correspondence at Obiter Towers over the years but few have matched an e-mail last week on behalf of the German National Solicitors Cricket XI. That's right, the German National Solicitors Cricket XI. Made up entirely of German lawyers (not ex-pats) even though 'solicitor' is obviously not their professional title, they are looking for English legal cricket teams that fancy a trip to Germany next year for a game and, presumably, the odd stein or two. The team was set up earlier this year under the chairmanship of Sven Leistikow, who is also president of the Berlin Viktoria Cricket Club, which was formed in 1889. That is because, according to our correspondent from the German Cricket Federation (another rather surprising organisation), cricket has deep roots in the country and is flourishing. Wraye Wenigmann told Obiter that there are five main cricket leagues in Germany, each with at least ten teams, plus cups and inter-regional competitions. The British military stationed in Germany has also been a long-standing aid to the development of the game and the first women's teams were formed last month. Any solicitors interested in upholding English cricketing pride in the face of this most unexpected threat can contact Ms Wenigmann, tel: 0049 228 97 99 310, e-mail: w.wenigmann@fnl.de.