Overview

This is a compelling and irreverent account of a sport that originated in 16th century England and was then gradually fed to the British Empire; nowadays, of course England are regularly outplayed by most of the commonwealth countries. The author's probing research has uncovered hitherto unrevealed secret scandals amongst the governing bodies of the game and of the complex lives of some of the great heroes of the past and present day. He reveals the plots and sub-plots that have, it can now be said, livened up the MCC Committee meetings at Lord's over the years. Totally outrageous, written with Henry Blofeld's contagious sense of humour, Cricket and All That shows cricket as a game that has had a profound effect on the very structure of English life.

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9780340819746

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Reviews

'The one thing that shines throughout an entertaining and witty read is Blofeld's marked respesct for the game of cricket and its composite parts.' -- The Independent 20011211 Blofeld has a strong feeling for the history of the magnificent game, but his wicked humour and sense of fun can all too often disguise an encyclopaedic knowledge. This is a canter through many of the well-worn tales that surround the game, with a good measure of the more obscure.' -- Yorkshire Post 20011211 'As one would expect, Blofeld's new book is ripe with choiceness of opinion and observation ... of Alec Stewart: 'a magificent cricketer, but a captain who made Ethelred the Unready look hot stuff.' -- Eastern Daily Press 20011211 'His enthusiasm for the game is contagious and he has a rare wit, clearly influenced by his love of one of the greatest humourists of the last century, PG Wodehouse.' -- Telegraph & Argus 20011211 'Written with Henry Blofeld's contagious sense of humour, CRICKET AND ALL THAT shows cricket as a game that has had a profound effect on the very structure of English life.' -- Bolton Evening News 20011211 A highly readable and impressively factual account. -- The Cricketer 20020401 '...the Blofeld legend provides us all with some warmth and cheer. This book, the great mann's take on the history of the game, is well up to standard. It takes the game at a rattling pace from its medieval oriigins to the present day.' -- Simon Heffer, Country Life 20011220

'The one thing that shines throughout an entertaining and witty read is Blofeld's marked respesct for the game of cricket and its composite parts.' -- The Independent 20011211 Blofeld has a strong feeling for the history of the magnificent game, but his wicked humour and sense of fun can all too often disguise an encyclopaedic knowledge. This is a canter through many of the well-worn tales that surround the game, with a good measure of the more obscure.' -- Yorkshire Post 20011211 'As one would expect, Blofeld's new book is ripe with choiceness of opinion and observation ... of Alec Stewart: 'a magificent cricketer, but a captain who made Ethelred the Unready look hot stuff.' -- Eastern Daily Press 20011211 'His enthusiasm for the game is contagious and he has a rare wit, clearly influenced by his love of one of the greatest humourists of the last century, PG Wodehouse.' -- Telegraph & Argus 20011211 'Written with Henry Blofeld's contagious sense of humour, CRICKET AND ALL THAT shows cricket as a game that has had a profound effect on the very structure of English life.' -- Bolton Evening News 20011211 A highly readable and impressively factual account. -- The Cricketer 20020401 '...the Blofeld legend provides us all with some warmth and cheer. This book, the great mann's take on the history of the game, is well up to standard. It takes the game at a rattling pace from its medieval oriigins to the present day.' -- Simon Heffer, Country Life 20011220

Since the sad departures of John Arlott and Brian Johnson, Henry Blofeld can be said to be the BBC's Voice of Cricket. He brings a refreshing anti-establishment view to the game, delivered in his instantly recognizable establishment accent. If you like Blofeld on the radio then you'll love this book. It is subtitled An Irreverent History but in fact it is humorous rather than flippant. This is a serious review of cricket history, written in a style that keeps you smiling throughout. It begins with the delightfully entitled Turnips, Toffs and Mr Lord chapter, which follows the early days of the game from 1300 until the start of the 19th century. The next chapter, The Old Farts Pad Up, takes us to the days of W G Grace. After this the chapter names become more serious as the complex politics and sport of cricket are uncovered, but Blofeld's dry wit still keeps us entranced. His research has been painstaking and intricate. We are treated to some fascinating insights into the game's leading players and administrators and a wry analysis of the business of the Test Selectors and the MCC. There are plenty of classic photographs to support the text. Finally, Blofeld argues that the finest team of the several hundred years of the game's history is the Australian side that toured England in 2001. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Henry Blofeld has been a cricket writer for thirty-five years. He is the leading commentator for the BBC's Test Match Special, broadcasts regularly for Sportsline on Sky News and GMTV and writes for the Independent and the Independent on Sunday

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