Book Review: A Cricket Man: The Life and Loves of Steve Perryman

I have to be honest, when I first opened the package that had been delivered from Pitch Publishing, I thought I had been sent a book on football to review. 

With apologies, the first thought when I saw the name 'Steve Perryman' was of the former Tottenham midfield player, one who I enjoyed watching in my salad days.

Then I remembered the 'other' man of the same name and I started to read a book that is unusual, but all the more enjoyable because of that. 

The name may not be familiar with some people today, Perryman was a journeyman seam bowler for Warwickshire at a time when they had a good, but it is fair to say declining team. His tales of his playing days are enjoyable and they really bring home the challenges faced by professional cricketers. The end of his career, brought about by a combination of injury and poor coaching, is one that is experienced by too many and it certainly rung true to me about similar issues faced by Derbyshire players in my time as a supporter. 

Where the book really comes into its own is in his tales of the coaching techniques of the various coaches that he worked with. Bob Woolmer seemed to be a real thinker, a trend-setter, ahead of the game in discussing playing matches by the session. If you win more than you lose, you will do well. If you can't win the session, make sure you don't lose it and battle. John Inverarity is another who seems to have been a coach people wanted to work for, while others seem not to have been so advanced in their interpersonal skills. The tales are fascinating and having taken on board the best of these people, Perryman became a very well-regarded bowling coach, responsible for the development of Chris Woakes, among many others.

The other side of this book is the personal tragedy and how he came to terms with the loss of a beloved wife, then found love again in adversity. 

I really wasn't sure about the book when I started it, but it has been nicely put together, entertainingly written and Perryman comes across as a man I would really enjoy a beer with. Not least because we share very similar ideas on the way ahead for county cricket and the point at which it went wrong. He is a diehard Birmingham City supporter, but hey, we all have our crosses to bear...

It is not without error - I am not convinced Arthur Jepson  'is the only man to keep wicket for Nottinghamshire and goal for Lincoln City', because 'Jeppo' was a very good seam bowler who was also a near neighbour of ours in his later years. Yet this is a minor point and does not detract in any way from a book that should be essential for any fan of Warwickshire.

Or indeed for anyone who is keen to get their teeth into a very enjoyable book. 

Recommended.

A Cricket Man: The Life and Love of Steve Perryman'  is written by Steve Perryman, with Brian Halford.