In this book he looks at a number of wicket - keepers he admires and respects, interviewing them to get to the bottom of what makes someone good at the role.
I have always respected those who don the gloves. I did it in two or three games in my teenage years and wasn't especially good at it, but Big Frank in my school team was daft enough to stop it with his forehead, or any other part of his anatomy for that matter, so he got the role. I didn't argue.
Despite his self - deprecation in this book, Luke was a very sound wicket-keeper and contributed his fair share of runs for Derbyshire before a move to Lancashire that opened his eyes, as he explains, to how the other half live. Following on from Bob Taylor and Karl Krikken was always going to be tough and both get plenty of name checks in this excellent read. Certainly his sharing of a hotel room with Krikk is a laugh out loud moment.
Luke sticks to who and what he knows, so there is no Godfrey Evans, Les Ames, Keith Andrew or Wally Grout in the book. But it will hold appeal for many, as the subjects are from the past thirty years of the game.
Especially refreshing is seeing the quite superb Sarah Taylor and Amy Jones interviewed. Both are excellent behind the timbers and earn the right to be there, alongside some fine male counterparts.
Jack Russell is there, of course, so too Alec Stewart. I was pleased to see Michael Bates too, who I thought quite excellent in a short first-class career that preceded a growing reputation as a fine coach.
The psyche and mentality of the role are discussed and it was fascinating to read Jack Russell talk of how he blocked out anything and everything before a day's play, focusing only on the job in hand with laser-sharp concentration. So much so that he walked past his wife at the gate of the ground on one occasion..
I found myself nodding in agreement when several said that at the end of their career wicket keepers aren't assessed or remembered unduly for chances missed. Bob Taylor said the same to me, recalling one afternoon when he put down three chances in an over off Ian Buxton's in swing. I'd have loved to have seen Bob included in the discussion, but that might be something for down the line.
It is a grand and enjoyable read that ends with Keith Piper, who was a fantastic keeper in the all-conquering Warwickshire side. Like many of the best of his craft, he led by example in the field, often spotting little things that the captain had missed.
What I found most interesting was the discussion over a 'natural' and 'made' wicket-keeper. The focus on their work becomes intense at top level, as both Jos Buttler and Geraint Jones found, though criticism of their work can be unfair from those who have never had to do it.
There are anecdotes a-plenty and the presence of Chris Read, Warren Hegg and Peter Moores - fine players and coaches all - ensures the spread is excellent and the level of insight outstanding.
This is a welcome addition to the cricket canon and I was left with a greater appreciation of the challenges of the role by the end of it.
A special shout out to the publishers, White Owl. The book has a generous font size and for someone like me, who is more likely to see a ball coming towards him as a blur, rather than picking out the stitching and the side the ball lands on, that was a welcome sight.
This deserves to do well.
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Wicket Keepers is written by Luke Sutton and published by White Owl, priced £14.99
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please remember to add your name. Avoid personal comment at all times. Thanks!