Book Review - Now I'm 62 by Stephen Chalke

I first read the latest book I have been sent for review before I went on holiday and finished it fairly quickly. I formed an instant impression but took it away with me to be sure that impression was correct. Since our return I have read it a third time and now feel well placed to give a true opinion, untarnished by the excitement of impending or ongoing vacation.

Now I'm 62 is, quite simply, the best book I have ever read about village cricket. In a departure from his normal style, Stephen Chalke has written an autobiography of a season in charge of a village third XI that is often funny yet can leave you in thoughtful and sombre mood a page or so later. It is a book on cricket, but also on love, loss, growing up and aging that is filled with humour and pathos in equal measure.

The author changed the names of his team mates and himself so he had greater freedom to play with the material. It was a wise move and perhaps allows for greater honesty than might otherwise have been the case.

Having captained a village side myself for nine seasons, the trials and tribulations of selecting a team, then finding players unavailable for a variety of reasons, often at the last minute, rings very true. Tales of good and bad performances, selfless captaincy and club characters make this a book that should be essential reading for anyone who has ever played the game.

Yet it is more than a cricket book. It is about relationships, with siblings, friends, spouses and most of all parents. A father who gave the love of the game but was in many ways distant, a mother who was much loved, yet prone to the eccentricities of all mothers. A relationship between his parents that comes across as, at best, cool and the piecing together of family stories as the author reaches an age where his best cricket is (probably) behind him.

I was engrossed from start to finish. The author writes so beautifully that you turn the page eagerly, yet come to dread the end of the book. Ten years younger than Stephen Chalke, his book convinced me that I still have plenty of cricket left in me. His frustrations over lack of form, enjoyment of a fine performance and celebration of the company of team mates will ring true for anyone - everyone - who has ever played the game, especially at lower levels where the umpires are members of the batting side, chances are held only 50% of the time and players often make up for lack of ability with their commitment and passion for the game, a keen wit and a willingness to turn up every week - especially to be the 'eleventh man', an especially amusing section of the book.

From Hugh de Selincourt's timeless "TheCricket Match" to Michael Simkins' "Fatty Batter" here have been numerous books on village cricket. For me though, this book sets a new benchmark, one that will be very difficult to beat. It has made it into my top five cricket books ever - and I'm pretty choosy when it comes to such things...

Not just about cricket then, but to quote CLR James - what do they know of cricket that only cricket know? Stephen Chalke knows his cricket and by the end of this book you feel that you know his family, friends and team mates in equal measure.

A quite wonderful read and highly recommended.

"Now I'm 62" by Stephen Chalke is available from Amazon for £12 and from all good book shops.