Andrew Hignell

Another entry in the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians series of first-class cricket grounds, this covers Wales more than just Glamorgan.

As with the rest of the series, "Cricket Grounds of Glamorgan" provides the details of each ground (including a photo) plus a lot of statistics, such as the best bowling against Glamorgan in a John Player League match at Ebbw Vale was, at the time of publication (1985), 5/13 by John Lever.

You probably already known whether you're the type of person who would enjoy this book or not so I'll wrap my review up now.… (altro)

A fairly slim booklet from the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians on the career stats of Glamorgan first-class cricketers until 1987.

Glamorgan didn't enter the County Championships until 1921 so there is a section for non-first class Glamorgan reps, as well as a wonderful hand drawn map of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire.

Fans of errata notes, those separate little slips of paper you find in some older books, will be pleased to hear that my copy of "Glamorgan Cricketers 1888-1987" includes an errata note declaring that a) A.H. Dyson held 243 catches and held one stumping, and b) "The career bowling figures for all players from Eaglestone to Every should be moved down one line." Sadly, as printed books will become ever more a rarity, we will soon lose the wonder that are such errata notes. I shall miss them.… (altro)

A complete guide to cricket in Wales, obviously well researched by Hignell, who has long been the expert on all things Welsh cricket. I particularly liked the personal stories of famous cricketers which help turn them from a series of statistics to human beings (such as the story of Johnny Clay, who injured himself while recreating a horse race in his backyard).

However, the pedant in me can't help but notice a few glaring mistakes, such as Hignell's reference to the 1868 Australian Aboriginal Cricket Team tour of England as occurring in 1866, and the odd spelling mistake. And, most importantly, when it comes to writing about cricket there are two camps; those who use exclamation marks and those that abhor the practice. I am in the latter camp while Hignell is a member of the former. As far as I'm aware, "Wisden" has never used an exclamation mark in 150 almanacks and I wholeheartedly support this.… (altro)