CRICKET BOOKS

Something a little different this week, but according to Martin an excellent addition to the literature of the game.

Coffee table books on any subject have a tendency to be disappointing, so it seems that is not the right category in which to place the latest book to bear the MCC logo.

After 150 years Wisden now has an Indian cousin, but it seems as if the team that put it together have some work to do if it is to create a lasting impression.

There has been a steady flow of titles on the Ashes appearing in the last few months, but it seems as if Martin has found one that stands out from the crowd.

The seminal anthology of the work of one of one of the game’s best known writers has recently been re-released, together with a companion volume. This week David reviews both books.

David Mutton is too young to remember the days before the distinction between amateurs and professionals was abolished, but he seems to have enjoyed reading about the subject.

A good cricketing biography deals with rather more than runs, wickets and catches. Brian Halford’s life of Percy Jeeves passes that test with flying colours.

This week Martin reviews a new biography of Maurice Tate, published more than half a century after his death, and four decades after the last one.

Sometimes with books it pays dividends to look a little further than the shelves of the traditional outlets

A curious piece of Victoriana for Archie this week, the intention of which seems to have become rather less clear with the passage of time.