Book Review: Playing With Teeth by Jake Perry and Gary Heatly

For a Scottish cricket fan this book, detailing how Scotland's cricketers became a force to be reckoned with in the world game, makes a compelling read.

For a Derbyshire supporter living in Scotland it is even more fascinating. Caledonia has been a rich source for Derbyshire in recent years and the names of those who have turned out in the chocolate, amber and gold are on pretty much every page.

Grant Bradburn came very close to becoming Derbyshire's Head of Cricket last winter and reading this book highlights how similar a philosophy on the game he shares with Mickey Arthur. The book's title comes from one of his favourite sayings, about enjoying the game and he is credited - and rightly so - with improving the mindset and positivity within the squad, the side as a collective and players as individuals. 

Mark Watt, who has done so well in his stints for Derbyshire, tells of how one evening Bradburn put down one stump and asked the players who backed themselves to hit it with a yorker. Every time the bowler missed, the rest had to run five shuttles. 

No one put their hand up but Bradburn kept looking at Watt, who agreed to go for it and nailed it, first time. The coach urged him to have faith in himself, as he knew he had the skills and had shown he could deliver them under pressure. It explains a lot and why the left-arm spinner has become a key Powerplay and death bowler for club and country.

Lavishly illustrated and with a generous font, the book is a credit to the publishers and to the authors, who have done a sterling job in recording the major events in the best period in Scotland's cricket history.

It is an engaging read and some fine cricketers flit to and fro across its pages. Kyle Coetzer, Preston Mommsen, Craig Wright, Richie Berrington and many more, including the combative Con de Lange, whose premature death was a major blow to so many. 

It is a book that you pick up and read a dozen pages more than you expected. While the subject matter is good, the authors have presented it really well and it makes for an engaging read. 

Well done to all concerned. 

This really is a job well done. Whether north of the border or a son or daughter of the Peak, this is a cracking read.

Playing With Teeth: How Scotland's Cricketers Broke The Cycle of Glorious Failure  is written by Jake Perry and Gary Heatly, published by Pitch Publishing