What do you think?
Rate this book
My A-Z of Cricket: A personal celebration of our glorious game
Legendary cricket broadcaster Henry Blofeld takes the reader on a journey from A-Z through the world of cricket.
In his trademark charming style, Blowers goes through the alphabet, explaining some of the puzzling cricket terminology and regaling his favourite anecdotes from his fifty years in the sport.
This gift book is perfect for fans of cricket who want to understand the sport from Henry's unique point of view - this is a humorous and entertaining jaunt through the cricket landscape.
In his trademark charming style, Blowers goes through the alphabet, explaining some of the puzzling cricket terminology and regaling his favourite anecdotes from his fifty years in the sport.
This gift book is perfect for fans of cricket who want to understand the sport from Henry's unique point of view - this is a humorous and entertaining jaunt through the cricket landscape.
368 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2022
4 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 19, 2020
Extremely interesting, informative and enjoyable and laced with Henry Blofeld's own inimitable turns of phrase and witticisms. What a joy it used to be to hear him commentating and the book captures that joy perfectly.
January 21, 2022
Light-hearted and enjoyable, if you listened to "Blowers" on TMS, then you will hear his voice throughout this book.
Though a traditionalist at heart, he does have some novel views particularly as regards his support of T20 and the concept that slow bowlers be allowed to throw the ball.
Lots of interesting asides and daft little nuggets (e.g. Fred Trueman daughter was married to Raquel Welsh's son!) kept, and it is very much a love letter to a sport HB loves.
I particularly liked the balance he maintained throughout. For example, though obviously no fan of Kevin Pietersen the man, he is still able to eulogise about certain batting performances. Similarly, his views of Bradman (exceptional player, but a bit of an automoton), Cook (not the most aesthetically pleasing, but someone to admire and hope they do well) and innumerable others, make for thoughtful reading.
Though not entirely sure of the rather random A-Z format and with one or two glaring omissions (e.g. Sobers, Hadlee, Boycott), this was a very engaging read and probably 3.5 rather than just 3*.
One to keep and re-read, as it is probably my 2nd favourite cricket book (after "My Spin on Cricket" by Richie Benaud).
Though a traditionalist at heart, he does have some novel views particularly as regards his support of T20 and the concept that slow bowlers be allowed to throw the ball.
Lots of interesting asides and daft little nuggets (e.g. Fred Trueman daughter was married to Raquel Welsh's son!) kept, and it is very much a love letter to a sport HB loves.
I particularly liked the balance he maintained throughout. For example, though obviously no fan of Kevin Pietersen the man, he is still able to eulogise about certain batting performances. Similarly, his views of Bradman (exceptional player, but a bit of an automoton), Cook (not the most aesthetically pleasing, but someone to admire and hope they do well) and innumerable others, make for thoughtful reading.
Though not entirely sure of the rather random A-Z format and with one or two glaring omissions (e.g. Sobers, Hadlee, Boycott), this was a very engaging read and probably 3.5 rather than just 3*.
One to keep and re-read, as it is probably my 2nd favourite cricket book (after "My Spin on Cricket" by Richie Benaud).
January 9, 2020
Achieved its purpose for me as a bit of light relief after getting through 'Middlemarch'. As cheerful and trivial as its author, who, in fairness, never claims to be anything more than a chap who's been lucky enough to spend his life watching cricket for a living. A rather random collection of very short essays about (mostly) things and players he's enjoyed. Occasionally he strays, as if by accident, into controversial territory (ball tampering, match-fixing, dodgy bowling actions...….), but always jumps nimbly away before he has to express a strong opinion. No apparent justification for the "A-Z" format except it meant he didn't have to do any work organising his thoughts into any sort of logical structure. I guess if you're buying a book by Henry Blofeld you're not expecting great prose so if you liked his cricket commentaries you won't be too disappointed by his book.
October 16, 2020
My dear old thing, what a delightful book. Perfect for the current “can’t concentrate for long” mindset, it is set in lots of little chapters, each one a perfect gem of cricketing history, know how, anecdote or reminiscence. Blowers, much missed from regular cricketing commentary now, has a delightful writing style and it speaks just like he does. So, this is a dip in and dip out book, and has been gracing the shelf in the downstairs loo for those moments of quiet and peace. if you like cricket, and like hearing the inside take on the many legends that stride the sport, then this book is perfect.
September 29, 2020
Read too much like an autobiography, didn't enjoy, read about a quarter, that'll do
January 5, 2020
This is a charming collection of short unrelated articles that definitely have the author's voice. They are a bit same-y in places, especially the biographical ones (save for KP everyone meets with his approval).
Surprisingly accepting of some modern trends, but very much an older voice. Enjoyable nonetheless.
Missed from TMS!
Surprisingly accepting of some modern trends, but very much an older voice. Enjoyable nonetheless.
Missed from TMS!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews