Cricket Books

A teenage Shane Warne was making his debut with the Victorian second XI at Melbourne’s Albert Ground. Lunch was called and instead of walking off with his teammates, he agreed to my request to have his photograph taken close up by our Sunday Press photographer.

Cricket is a 24/7 all-year obsession for author, commentator and Mount Eliza lower XIs allrounder Ken Piesse. The long-time president of the Australian Cricket Society, Ken revels in his daily diet of cricket, whether playing, watching or writing about it. He followed a first-ball duck in Saturday club ranks with...

Of all of Australia’s 70 One Test wonders, Queenslander Len Johnson was by far the unluckiest. On the very day the 1948 Australian team was chosen, Len took six wickets for 26 runs – yet still missed selection. Len hailed from unfashionable Rockhampton but could hit and bowled a heavy...

Tony Dell was hopeful of breaking into Queensland’s Sheffield Shield team for the start of the 1970-71 summer. He was just back from serving in Vietnam. Tall and imposing at 196cm (6ft 5in), he looked an immediate prospect. ‘How old are you son?’ said Sam Trimble, Queensland’s long time captain....

Greg Chappell: Not Out, Selector, Commentator, Coach, Talent Scout, Mentor, Cricket Legend (Hardie Grant Books, $35) Even into his 70s, Greg Chappell remains a force, his opinion and keen eye for talent valued and trusted by those who count. Like Don Bradman, much of his best off-field work is unsung,...

Greg Growden has won the 2021 Jack Pollard Literary award for the Australian Cricket Society’s cricket book of the year. His Cricketers at War was published in 2019. The award was not presented last year because of Covid. Sub titled Cricket Heroes Who also Fought for Australia in Battle, it features numerous...