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In the Firing Line: Diary of a Season
Based on the diary of Tasmania cricketer Ed Cowan, this book includes the left-handed batsman’s thoughts on the game, other players, motivational philosophies, and records of performances. Funny and intelligent, it offers a view into cricket life on and off the pitch and what makes cricket tick for both its fans and players. Far from the glamour of playing for Australia and uncomfortably close to the long drop to amateurism, this narrative illustrates the pressure and excitement of a player when every match is rife with the possibility of being discovered and propelled into international stardom in the baggy green.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 25, 2012
Ed is a better cricketer than writer! I enjoyed the book, it's a pleasant read but is of a little substance and doesn't offer much of an insight into the behind the scenes aspect of the 2010/11season as I hoped it would.
February 1, 2020
A well written season account that delves into Ed’s mindset as a professional cricketer, husband, and friend. His lack of ego, transparency, and succinctness are thoroughly enjoyable, it can be read in one sitting.
February 15, 2012
Essentially the diary of the Australian domestic cricket season as seen through a player [then] on the periphery of the international game, Cowan struck lucky to decide on this endeavour the year that Tasmania won its second Shield title.
While these books are often dry affairs, Cowan is both brutally honest in his assessment of himself, his cricket and the impact of his chosen career path on his loved ones. Moreover, he offers great insight with some considered and oft-unspoken views on the state of State cricket in Australia and the future of the game. I was particularly drawn to his observation on the effect of Twenty20 on both the domestic and international game.
His frank and portrait of life as one of the invisible ‘not quite top-rung’ cricketers is a poignant one. Of course, the happy ending of a Shield victory and subsequent surprise call up to the Test team doesn’t hurt! The book was not ghost written and it’s refreshing to read an honest sporting account by someone in the moment that reads so well. There’s no doubt that Cowan is a thinker. If you’re a cricket fan (especially if you’re a fan with doubts about where the game is headed), you’ll find this a great read. Highly recommended.
While these books are often dry affairs, Cowan is both brutally honest in his assessment of himself, his cricket and the impact of his chosen career path on his loved ones. Moreover, he offers great insight with some considered and oft-unspoken views on the state of State cricket in Australia and the future of the game. I was particularly drawn to his observation on the effect of Twenty20 on both the domestic and international game.
His frank and portrait of life as one of the invisible ‘not quite top-rung’ cricketers is a poignant one. Of course, the happy ending of a Shield victory and subsequent surprise call up to the Test team doesn’t hurt! The book was not ghost written and it’s refreshing to read an honest sporting account by someone in the moment that reads so well. There’s no doubt that Cowan is a thinker. If you’re a cricket fan (especially if you’re a fan with doubts about where the game is headed), you’ll find this a great read. Highly recommended.
September 5, 2012
This is an excellent book.
It's not very often you find sportsmen who can write well about what they do. Most sports autobiographies end up either ghosted, or are a list of "I scored this, then I scored that.....". Cowan, an Australian cricketer of Test standard keeps a diary through a seasons' play. He writes not so much about what he does, but how he feels about what he's doing, how it impacts on his colleagues, and about how the emotional side of seeking, but not necessarily achieving, success in the game. It undoubtedly helps if you have an interest in cricket, but as an honest, well written, insightful and interesting view into the mind of a top level sportsman, it is well worth a read.
It's not very often you find sportsmen who can write well about what they do. Most sports autobiographies end up either ghosted, or are a list of "I scored this, then I scored that.....". Cowan, an Australian cricketer of Test standard keeps a diary through a seasons' play. He writes not so much about what he does, but how he feels about what he's doing, how it impacts on his colleagues, and about how the emotional side of seeking, but not necessarily achieving, success in the game. It undoubtedly helps if you have an interest in cricket, but as an honest, well written, insightful and interesting view into the mind of a top level sportsman, it is well worth a read.
May 29, 2024
A few years ago, I read an outstanding article written by Ed Cowan on depression and the need for cricket to do a better job of looking after its own. He sited the long periods of inactivity followed by short spells where cricketers are under extreme examination among many other reasons why mood disorders are so prevalent in the game. It was an intelligent, insightful article.
"In The Firing Line" isn't such a read. I found it repetitious and frankly boring at times and often, concerned with deep navel gazing that was as unpleasant to read as it must have been to write. Peter Roebuck so cleverly sums the book on the inside fly. Read his comment and it will save you reading the book.
"In The Firing Line" isn't such a read. I found it repetitious and frankly boring at times and often, concerned with deep navel gazing that was as unpleasant to read as it must have been to write. Peter Roebuck so cleverly sums the book on the inside fly. Read his comment and it will save you reading the book.
February 24, 2012
This book is great, it has told me the daily life of a professional cricketer/sportsman. About 3 years ago, he had to move from NSW because he was rarely getting a run with the blues. Since he moved to Tasmania, he's just recently started playing some tests for AUSTRALIA!!!! this is one of the best books I have read.
November 21, 2011
A great look at the season of a domestic cricketer. Certainly better than reading the same old twaddle from the same group of players in the international scene.
March 4, 2012
Certainly worth a read - by a real opener who thinks about his game.
October 3, 2012
I thought that this book was a great insite into the life of a young cricketer, It is quite funny at the start, then it gets serious at the end.
great book
great book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews