Description
Book SynopsisA lot of leather has 'plunk-plicked' against willow since cricket was first played on the village greens of Olde England, but this doughty little book heroically manages to capture the true essence of the noble ball game in just 100 run-grabbing moments (plus a few extras for overthrows).
This is the story of cricket as it has never been told before: a well tossed-up compilation of surreal match reports, spoof correspondence and quirky cartoons. From a Great Victorian refusing to walk (even though his bails have been knocked off by the bowler) to modern-day sledgers playing floodlit pyjama cricket, the game's towering achievements, hilarious happenings and ludicrous coincidences are entertainingly recalled.
The book's title says it all: which other sport would have Silly positions in the field? For those who don't know, silly mid-off (facing the batsman) & silly mid-on (behind him) field within a couple of metres of the man at the crease as he flails at the ball, delivered at 140kmh, using a 1kg wooden bat.
Table of ContentsWG Grace • The Bodyline Tour • Wars of the Roses • Don Bradman • Denis Compton • Neil Harvey • Lord Ted • Monkeys in the gully • Jim Laker • Lillian Thomson • Gillette Cup • Dolly and Apartheid • Deadly Derek • Chuckers and pie-throwers • 'Sir Geoff' • Kerry Packer's Circus • Big Bird • Ian Botham • Windies 'Blackwash' • Mike Gatting • The Headingley Comeback • Lara's 501 • Hansie Cronje • Shane Warne • Freddie Flintoff • Kevin Pietersen • Players Walkout • DRS.
