My Spin on Cricket

by Richie Benaud

My Spin on Cricket tells the story of the great game through the ages, through personal anecdotes and a lively, well informed narrative by Richie Benaud, the popular cricket commentator and former Australian cricket captain. Hailed as one of the most influential cricketer and cricket personalities of the last fifty years, he was the runaway winner in The Wisden Cricketer's commentators' poll of 2005. With the emphasis on the modern game, Richie puts current events under the spotlight and relates them to the past. He discusses all aspects of the game, including gambling, sledging, leadership and technological development in this entertaining and highly informative book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Biography

293 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Richard "Richie" Benaud OBE (born October 6, 1930 in Penrith, New South Wales) is an Australian former cricketer who, since his retirement from international cricket in 1964, has become a highly regarded commentator on the game.

Benaud was a world-class Test cricket all-rounder, blending thoughtful leg spin bowling with lower order batting aggression. Along with fellow bowling all rounder Alan Davidson, he helped restore Australia to the top of world cricket in the late 1950s and early 1960s after a slump in the early 1950s. In 1958 he became captain of the Australian cricket team and, until his retirement in 1964, took international cricket into the modern era by emphasizing the need for positive play, using his media expertise to communicate his and his team's goals clearly and effectively.

He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1961 for services to cricket.

Reviews

[Hassan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was tough to rate because it was interesting at times but it also felt like it dragged at other points. I'm not sure non fiction is for me as I spent too much time wondering where is the plot

[Michael Rumney · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd read in some ways. Benaud was one of the best commentators in the world on any sport. On TV he let the pictures tell the story and only spoke when needed to. In this book the knowledge is obviously there but the style of delivery is lacking.
At times when he talks about the laws of the game or how cricket could change it felt as if I was reading a university text book.
on occasion the book feels dated only in the fact he mentions young cricketers wo 15 years later have retired from the game.
His early life in Parramatta was the best part of the book and relates how he started in cricket.
One thing isn't mention is how well he w2as liked and respected in the cricket world. Bur Benaud was such a humble man in this respect.

[Martin Braunton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spent many an English summer listening to the cricketing commentaries of former Australian captain, Richie Benaud. Many of the tales he regaled us with are told here.
Unfortunately “My Spin On Cricket “ lacks exactly that: spin. Most of the chapters are happily told as they occurred but lack interest and insight. I mean we should know Richie’s Greatest XI by now because he has told us on many an occasion.
It is only until we get to the later chapters, we see more insightful opinions on where the game is headed. The section on leg spin was interesting also.
For someone who knows the game so well, this was a little disappointing. There’s no mention of the technology coaches have been using and likewise, no mention of mental or physical preparation.

[Vijay Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the excellent tales of cricket told by the person who has been involved in around 500 games. Richie Benaud through his experience has excellent take on things like Bending of Arm, One Day Cricket, Team Selection etc. in this book along with tales from his playing days. A very nice and soothing read by one of my favorite commentator. I wish he had written about the famous 2005 Ashes series as well (book was written some time before the 2005 Ashes).

[Damian Gibson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This biography is all over the place. And mainly a reference for how great channel nine and BBC sport departments are.

[Arthur Banos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and entertaining

[Marco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richie shows his love and knowledge for both the game and the written word in another excellent piece of cricket writing. It is in typical Richie style, its not exciting and doesn't have you hooked on every word, but its not supposed to, its written in Richie's classic understated style, and it works! He keeps your attention the whole way through the book, offering his views and opinions. Someone that isn't a cricket lover may struggle to read it, as there is nothing scandulous or spectacular in here to grab there attention, but cricket buffs will love it!

[John Grinstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost a valedictory account from Benaud as he fades from the (BBC/CH4) screen back to his native Australia, containing some superb anecdotes and glimpses into the dressing room over the past 50 years.

[Susan Grimshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I greatly admired Richie Benaud as a cricketer and an excellent commentator, but cannot say the same about him as a writer. This book had some passages which interested me greatly. as did the photographs, but much of it was very dry and disjointed.

[Nigel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry Richie, love your commentaries, bow down to your knowledge of cricket but I think this book was just written to boost the pension.

[MsEleanorMae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not just for cricket aficionado's