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 Bernard
Whimpress and Nigel Hart have teamed up to bring you
"Great Ashes Battles" from 1877 until Trent
Bridge in 2005. In fact the title was written in 1994
and was so popular that it has received a re -print
in 2006. The new edition carries an additional preface
from Bernard following Nigel's untimely death and
two matches from the last Ashes series contested in
2005.
The book contains 13 Test matches spread over 13 chapters,
six set in Australia and five in England. The first
Test match covered is from 1877 and despite it not
being a true Ashes Test (The Ashes weren't contested
until 1882) they felt it warranted a place in the
book. As I mentioned earlier, the book was originally
published in Australia in 1994 but such was its success
a second run was ordered and the book is available
in both paperback and hardback, published by Carlton
Books in the UK. Of all the grounds covered, Sydney
proves most popular with three Test matches, closely
followed by Melbourne and Leeds with two.
Interestingly, every Test match is preceded with historical
facts from the period including weather conditions,
team news, how teams trained in the 19th century and
all manner of events leading up to the games that
had a bearing on decisions made during the match.
We learn that in the early years of Test cricket,
such was the feeling of colonial regionalism, Victorians
wouldn't train with new South Welshmen despite being
part of the bigger Australian picture! Add South Australians
to the mix a few years later and it all makes for
a complicated match warm up!
Each chapter includes a detailed scorecard, pictures
of the main protagonists and caricatures from the
national papers of the time, they all add depth and
interest to a wonderful collection of well written
articles. The book is ideally suited to the cricket
enthusiast and someone eager to learn more about the
ins and outs of the games covered. Buy
The Hardback Edition Now
The book is easy to read and as the
title suggests, gives us a flavour of some of the
greatest Test matches in history including the 500:1
epic at Headingley in 1981. Dubbed as Botham's Ashes
for his heroics in the series, a remarkable turnaround
following his failure and dismissal as England captain.
England's win in 1929 where Walter Hammond scored
centuries in both innings is included, a match that
saw a wonderful century from the graceful Archie Jackson.
Bill O'Reilly and Bradman combine
to give Australia a superb five wicket win in 1938
and in more recent times Gooch and Thorpe score hundreds
to draw against Australia in Nottingham in 1993. Throughout
the book the authors go into great detail about the
main players of the time throwing facts and figures
at us including money earned, attendances and benefits
certain players received in the early days following
a good performance. It all makes very interesting
reading.
Wonderful book written by two authors
obviously mad about the game and its history.
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