Responsible for surely the only concept album based around cricket, the Duckworth Lewis Method is the side project of Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon and Pugwash frontman Thomas Walsh. The duo, named after the complicated cricket scoring system, formed in 2008 after Hannon and Walsh met at Father Ted writer Graham Linehan's wedding in Ireland. After Walsh asked Hannon to contribute to a Christmas charity record, the pair discovered a mutual appreciation of ELO and cricket, and decided to combine the two to record an album together. Their self-titled debut was released two days before the 2009 Ashes through Hannon's own label, and reached number 40 in the U.K. charts. The Duckworth Lewis Method, which also featured comedians Phil Jupitus, Matt Berry, and Alexander Armstrong, was nominated for Best Album at both the Ivor Novello and Meteor awards. The pair recorded a new Irish national anthem as part of The Irish Times' St. Patrick's Day festival promotions, and appeared at the Latitude and Meltdown festivals before returning to their respective bands. At the end of 2012, Walsh and Hannon announced they were set to record a new Duckworth Lewis Method album in 2013. Released in July 2013 to coincide with the Ashes series being held in the U.K., Sticky Wickets once again saw the duo working with various guests, including actor Daniel Radcliffe, comedian Stephen Fry, and former English cricketer-turned-commentator David Lloyd.

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