For the first time since 1934, the ABC will not produce an Ashes cricket book for the coming 2015 northern summer. Senior commentator Jim Maxwell said it was an unfortunate sign of the times. A 2015-16 summer ABC Cricket Book is likely.
Collecting ‘ABCs’ has become a lifetime habit for many, with many updating the condition of favourite childhood issues. I do have a large range available on my website including the ever-so-rare ’34 issue.
The ABC pictured is the very first, produced for the domestic summer of 1933-34.
I think this is quite tragic as I have been collecting and enjoying ABC cricket books since 1962/1963 series.
I’m devastated and angry. Why tell us only two weeks before the ashes? I would have been willing to pay a higher price to keep it going. This is like saying there will be no Wisden next year.
Very disappointing, another loss of heritage.
what a disappointment at a time when the abc could do with a few friends!
My life is now meaningless…………The ABC Ashes Cricket Book is the thread that binds this entire nation……….it would have sat proudly on my bedside table, next to my Tintin books.
Thumbs down ABC
Bitterly disappointed no ABC book for the 2015 Ashes.
I have been collecting them since The 74/5 Ashes series. I would have happily paid double.
I share similar sentiments to contributors that the demise (or interruption) to this fabulous publication is disappointing. Jim Maxwell is correct however that it is “an unfortunate sign of the times”, with history and tradition running a poor second these days to decisions based primarily on dogmatic pragmatism driven by strict commercial assessment. I still proudly have my 1972 copy that was used to enter results during the night as I lay awake as a young boy listening to the ABC coverage from England. Oh well, my own memories have no relevance within the halls of power. Vale ABC cricket book, we will miss you. I guess a “life” of 75 years is considered a pretty good innings.
My ABC Cricket Book collection dates from 1970/71 when I first became a cricket tragic during the “John Snow” series. When Bob Simpson later stood in as captain for our West Indies tour after apartheid robbed our team of strong players, I recall sitting up with ABC radio and the ABC Cricket Book to fill in the latest scores from exotic locations such as Kingston, etc.
In recent years I accepted the lack of ABC cricket books for away series because the number of tests and test-playing countries had increased. I comforted myself, however, with the thought that Ashes series were sacrosanct and would always be quarantined from this parsimonious development. It was therefore shocking to discover that my local newsagent had no ABC Cricket Books on the shelves for the current Ashes series.
I wonder what Jim Maxwell meant by a “sign of the times”. If that means lower circulations, fair enough. If it means something to do with budget cuts, however, I don’t accept it because the sale price can be increased to compensate.
I hope you can circulate all of these comments to the ABC and the Minister for Communications.
I’m missing 3 since 1952 (I am in my mid 40s)
PETE PEARSON
Who is the the bright spark at the ABC who decided to rob me and many others of the pleasure of my ABC CRICKET BOOK. I have read and filled in scores for 40 years + while watching and listening to broadcasts from England and around the world. Listened as a young boy with Dad on the ABC to Alan McGilivray vary to the manufactured broadcasts done by telegrams and sound effects from studio ( It had me fooled till I was told later) … I am 76 years old now … very disappointed ex fan of ABC.
Very disappointing.
Please may production continue this coming Summer!
Who may I ask is the wise monkey who decided that a English Ashes tour in 2015 would not be worth publishing? My 8 year old in the google age relishes this publication just as much as I as 54 year old does. Very disappointed ABC.
I commenced, as a 13 year-old, the collection of ABC Ashes Magazines in 1954 and till now have not missed an issue. I fully concur with previous comments the ABC’s poor decision making in not publishing for the recent Ashes Series.