Book Review: Cricket in the First World War by John Broom

When I opened the parcel that arrived last week and saw that it contained John Broom's companion volume to last year's Cricket in the Second World War, I knew I was in for a treat.

For one thing I hugely admire the depth of research that has gone into the work, just as has happened with all of the author's extraordinary output. This isn't just about the cricketers of eminence, more an account of how the greatest of games continued to flourish and be a release for many during the first global conflict of the twentieth century. 

It recounts matches played to raise funds, to maintain spirits and to give supporters a hope of a return to normality in due course. Not just in the UK either, as the game as played around the world is covered, as well as matches played in the armed forces, both home and abroad. 

We read of the feats of England players in the northern leagues, the challenges faced by those who stayed home as well as those who never returned. So many cricketers of talent were cut short in their prime, their lives ruined by crippling injury or ended by a bullet or shell fragment. 

I was always going to love this, given my longtime fascination and interest in the Great War, but John Broom has produced a book that is a masterpiece.

It is as much social history as cricket, but none the worse for that. The game's importance to individuals, communities and countries is made clear, the willingness of participants to get a game going almost anywhere quite touching.

The challenges faced by counties are made clear and most struggled to get through the war without subscriptions or alternate means of funding. Yet they did and I was left humbled at the efforts of that generation in keeping the game going that we love

At £25 the book isn't cheap, but it is a meaty and rewarding read, with so much to enjoy.

Cricket in the First World War: Play Up! Play The Game is written by John Broom and published by Pen and Sword, priced £25