Cricket Books

[Teja.]

Just started it, really neat so far. The only compliant is that in the preface he spends so much time demonizing the West Indians, questioning their legacy and taking great pains to point out that the English were saints in comparision, in a book which isn't about the West Indians.

Thought it was a bit unusual.

 

[Days of Grace]

It’s a great read and I still have a copy on my shelves.

I think from memory he was trying to place intimidatory bowling in a historical context, arguing that it had always been in the game, if you had the tools. Was quite a long section on Frank Foster, for example.

 

[tony p]

Just finished reading Stephen Chalke's book on Geoff Cope " In Sunshine and In Shadow".

Another really good read on a Lesser known cricketer that he doe's so well.

If you haven't read any of his books, I recommend him, particularly on cricket & cricketer's from the 1950's to the 1980's, none of them usually household names, which makes them far more interesting

Best one's I've read from him are the ones on,
Tom Cartwright
Bob Appleyard
Geoffrey Howard
Run's in the memory- County cricket in the 1950's &
Summer's Crown, A story of the County Championship, which is an excellent read.

And no, I'm not Stephen Chalke, and I haven't been paid to say this.

 

[fredfertang]

I vaguely recall Bodyline Autopsy (which is, IMHO, the definitive take on the 32/33 series, by the way) being named CW's book of the decade for the noughties.

Did I miss the announcement of the book of the 2010s or are the votes still being counted...?

Still waiting to hear from Archie, who seems to have gone to ground

 

[BoyBrumby]

Just started it, really neat so far. The only compliant is that in the preface he spends so much time demonizing the West Indians, questioning their legacy and taking great pains to point out that the English were saints in comparision, in a book which isn't about the West Indians.

Thought it was a bit unusual.

It's been well over a decade since I last read Bodyline Autopsy, but from memory Frith was a wee bit sniffy about the Windies quicks of the 70s and 80s, yes.

The charitable view is he was drawing a contrast between how posterity has judged Jardine & Lloyd as captains. Leg theory was deployed relatively sparingly really, given that Gubby Allen flat-out refused to bowl it (although he wasn't above fielding in the leg trap) & Verity and Hammond were both used a fair amount in 32/33 as well.

The Windies' barrage under the Big Cat was fairly relentless as, often as not, they had four genuine quicks in their armoury.

 

[Pothas]

This has finally nudged me into starting this, have probably owned it for about 10 years.

Agree the focus on the West Indies in the preface is kind of jarring. The rest of it is great so far though. It is the second book I have read in which Bill Bowes very much features as a secondary character but he really stands out for some reason.

 

[Jumno]

I have Ricky Ponting's world cup 2003 diary, Ricky Ponting biography, Ben Stokes, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, all good reads which the latter books give an insight of their earlier days and progression.

 

[Line and Length]

Without going through all the earlier posts, has anyone read "Bradman's War" by Malcolm Knox? It doesn't always show the done in the most flattering light but it is a fascinating read.
I've also been trying to get my hands on the Keith Miller biography, "Golden Nugget" by R.S.Whitington. I borrowed it from the library some years ago but it has since been written off by the library staff.

 

[neville cardus]

My interview with John Broom about his new life of the Essex stalwart Ray Smith:

 

[neville cardus]

My interview with Rich Parry on his history of Anglo-South African cricket. Available also on most podcast platforms.

 

[Line and Length]

Without going through all the earlier posts, has anyone read "Bradman's War" by Malcolm Knox. It doesn't always show the Don in the most flattering light but it is a fascinating read.
I've also been trying to get my hands on the Keith Miller biography, "Golden Nugget" by R.S.Whitington. I borrowed it from the library some years ago but it has since been written off by the library staff.

Finally tracked down a copy of "The Golden Nugget" and it arrived today, complete with original dust jacket. The cover features a photo of Miller and, in 1953, Right Honourable R.G.Menzies described it thus:
"It is not only the greatest action photo of a cricketer I have seen, it is in two dimensions a beautiful piece of sculpture, and it would have provoked immense joy in ancient Athens."
The photo on the dust jacket is posted below. (In good shape for a 1981 publication)

 

[peterhrt]

My interview with Rich Parry on his history of Anglo-South African cricket. Available also on most podcast platforms.

A good guy who has been around a while and knows his stuff. Worth hearing.

 

[Marius]

Read Crickonomics by Stefan Szymanski and Tim Wigmore this month. Was aa decent read, and had some good insights while other chapters were (to me) pretty self-evident. Probably worth a read but not as good as Cricket 2.0 which Wigmore wrote with Freddie Wilde.

Also read Robin Smith's The Judge this month, one of the better cricket autobiographies I've read I think.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Read Crickonomics by Stefan Szymanski and Tim Wigmore this month. Was aa decent read, and had some good insights while other chapters were (to me) pretty self-evident. Probably worth a read but not as good as Cricket 2.0 which Wigmore wrote with Freddie Wilde.

Also read Robin Smith's The Judge this month, one of the better cricket autobiographies I've read I think.

I've been meaning to read the Smith autobio. Will snag a copy now, cheers.

 

[GIMH]

Just read White Hot by Tim Wigmore and Matt Roller about the turnaround in English white ball cricket since 2015. Bought it after hearing it plugged on a few podcasts. First half was fascinating, getting the inside view of the transformation and mentality. Second half wasn’t as good as it was more about the games in the glory run of 19-22, nice memories though they largely are it’s not as insightful. Still a good read though.

Now starting Steve Smith’s Men by Geoff Lemon, thanks @SteveNZ for the recommendation (will withdraw the thanks if the book is ****e)

 

[Aritro]

My interview with Rich Parry on his history of Anglo-South African cricket. Available also on most podcast platforms.

Listened to the start of this and it was already fascinating. Well done mate.

 

[GIMH]

@SteveNZ I’m almost finished with Steve Smith’s Men and it’s been a cracking read. Insightful, balanced and doesn’t pull its punches. Great stuff. Got Lemon’s ‘The Comeback Summer’ arriving later to pick up as soon as I finish this.

 

[social]

Might have mentioned this before but can’t be bothered trawling through the thread

My Dad bought me lots of cricket books when I was a kid and Marlin published many autobiographies/biographies of cricketers

Completely unfiltered compared to today and great reads for cricket enthusiasts

Bobby Simpson called Griffith out as a blatant chucker

Freddie Trueman called the ECB out as racist & class bigots

Highly recommended

 

[Ali TT]

Just read White Hot by Tim Wigmore and Matt Roller about the turnaround in English white ball cricket since 2015. Bought it after hearing it plugged on a few podcasts. First half was fascinating, getting the inside view of the transformation and mentality. Second half wasn’t as good as it was more about the games in the glory run of 19-22, nice memories though they largely are it’s not as insightful. Still a good read though.

Now starting Steve Smith’s Men by Geoff Lemon, thanks @SteveNZ for the recommendation (will withdraw the thanks if the book is ****e)

I enjoyed Wigmore's book on the rise of T20, Cricket 2.0, made me appreciate that format a lot more.

Recently read Peter Oborne's history of Pakistani cricket, Wounded Tiger. I enjoyed the history of the sport in Pakistan, and he brings out the characters of some of the stars well but the book itself wasn't brilliantly written or edited.