- Hardcover: 160 pages
- Publisher: Fairfield Books (1 Jun 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0953119661
- ISBN-13: 978-0953119660
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 487,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
On Tuesday 18th August 1981, Sussex faced Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in the cricket county championship. It seemed likely that the outcome of this match would decide which of these two teams would ultimately lift the trophy, a feat never before achieved by Sussex in their 140-year history. At quarter to six in the evening, one of the final pair of Nottinghamshire batsmen was struck on the back pad by a delivery from the legendary Imran Khan. The entire Sussex side rose as one to appeal for leg before wicket. If the batsman were to be given out, Sussex would have their crucial victory and one hand on the prize. The umpire considered for a moment and delivered his verdict.... The summer of 1981 was special for a number of reasons. The England cricket team were turning round seemingly impossible situations to beat the Australians in the series that has come to be known as Botham's Ashes. Elsewhere, at Wimbledon John McEnroe was arguing his way to the title, and at St Paul's Cathedral a shy teenager named Diana Spencer married her prince. Given the other distractions one might be forgiven for not noticing Sussex toiling away in the background, attempting to create their own little piece of history. The author of this book is their captain, John Barclay, who is perfectly placed to offer an insight into the pressures and pleasures of trying to overturn many years of underachievement. He is a genial guide through the long season, demonstrating how to marshal a diverse pool of personalities and talents in any situation to get the best out of them. He is modest enough to admit faults in his captaincy and generous enough to give praise where it is due, even to the opposition. This is a very English enterprise - understated and restrained but not without a cheeky good humour. There are some good photographs of the Sussex players, as well as some pretty illustrations by Susanna Kendall. The book might have benefited from a section detailing what has happened to the players in the intervening years but it's still a charming piece of work that gives us a glimpse of English summer in all its drizzly glory. (Kirkus UK)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is how it should be.,
By
This review is from: The Appeal of the Championship: Sussex in the Summer of 1981 (Hardcover)
This is a wonderful account of a great cricketing season. Full of self deprecating humour and tense sporting action. Although short it conveys the ups and downs of the county circuit, before all county players had sponsored cars. Don't get me wrong, I loved watching Sussex finally win the championship, but John Barlcay's account of how they nearly did it somehow has more charm and certainly makes for a more romantic story (in the true sense). A must for all lovers of cricket and boys' own stories alike.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exellent preformance,
This review is from: The Appeal of the Championship: Sussex in the Summer of 1981 (Hardcover)
This book has few faults. Written by a new author John Barclay, this book is exiting, funny and interesting. It is set in the cricket season of 1981, in which John Barclay captained Sussex. He has a style similar to that of Alan Bennett, the monologlue writer. It is very impressive. He keeps some central characters and introduces new ones as well. His extreme modisty makes you always stay on his side. It is a short book and is good for a quick read-but be prepared-you will not find it easy to put it down. (put the phone off the hook) It is mainly a cricket book, of course, but also the author adds in other diversions. This helps to keep you going. Apparently John still is a keen contributer to cricket, helping to coach thousands of deprived youngsters each year. He does this at the Arundel Castle Cricket Foundation, near Arundel Castle. This is in Sussex, near where John lives. I hope another book comes out-but there is as yet no news of this happening.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An endearing account of a cricket campaign,
By
This review is from: The Appeal of the Championship: Sussex in the Summer of 1981 (Hardcover)
This is vastly different in style to 'A lot of hard yakka' by Simon Hughes yet gives a similar insight into county cricket's dressing rooms.
I've met John Barclay a few times and his self-effacing charm hides a sharp mind so I can easily see him persuading team mates and opponents alike. It's a lovely read which is full of wit, perception and honesty and is a welcome reminder of days when England players turned out regularly in domestic cricket, overseas players didn't hop from county to county and winners of the Championship might even be mentioned on the national TV news. Buy it and savour it.
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