RAZZMATAZZ has caught up with the genteel sport of bowls.

In order to make the game more exciting for TV, players have ditched their whites and are wearing one-day cricket colours - and sending green and red bowls.

The new-look was introduced in Blackpool this week, with changes that have made the games shorter - and, I'd like to bet, more lucrative for the players.

I always found crown green bowling an exciting sport in a quieter sort of way.

I followed former Westleigh neighbour and champion Norman Fletcher's career closely when he was at his peak, and remember watching him play a thriller of a televised match in the pouring rain.

Hopefully they'll leave the outdoor game alone.