Clarrie Grimmett (Famous Cricketers Series)

ACS Publications ISBN: 1 905138326 (October, 2006) Buy It Now

"Clarrie Grimmett (his record and innings by innings)" is written by Jim Leadbetter and published by ACS publications. This latest offering from ACS is number 96 in their famous Cricketers Series that includes the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Harold Larwood, Stan McCabe and Ian Botham -there are far too many to list but there are some mouth watering editions in the full list.

This edition is a statisticians dream and includes everything you would want to know about Clarrie Grimmett and more. It includes a complete yearly/seasonal breakdown from his first ever season in first class cricket in 1911/12 when he made his debut for Wellington against Auckland. It was his only first class match of the season taking 4 for 48 in the second innings.

Clarrie Grimmett's long career came to an end in 1941 following the government's decision to suspend first class cricket following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7th 1941. As we learn from the book he hadn't played since February of that year due to the Second World War but the decision brought about his finale. It had been five years since he had played for Australia (South Africa in 1936) taking 216 wicket in the process and at the time the most successful Australian bowler to have played Test cricket.

Included in this publication is a solid profile taking us from his birth to Richard and Mary Grimmett in 1891 to his death at Kensington Park in 1980, he was 89. Born a New Zealander, Grimmett emigrated to Australia following the conclusion of his 1913/4 season having played just 9 first class games in New Zealand.

The thing I love about this book is the balance it offers the reader. Those interested in learning more about Grimmett have not only the main profile at the beginning of the book but a synopses of every season with the more memorable performances highlighted. Following the synopses the most complete statistical record you would ever want to read is included. We find a running total of his career showing number of runs scored, wickets taken, average with the bat and ball – I could go on. Every match Clarrie played in whether it was for Australia, Wellington, Victoria or South Australia is broken down and includes his unique match contributions, set against how his team performed.

In 1919 we learn that cricket was limited to just three first class matches due to the epidemic of Spanish pneumatic influenza in February. Grimmett has moved on by this time and was selected for Victoria to play New South Wales. He failed to take any wickets in the season.

To give you an idea of the depth this book takes the reader we look to match 149. It was played against his first State side Victoria at the Adelaide Oval in 1932/3 series – better known as the Bodyline year. Listed in the book are his two innings (7,5*) out of a team total of 403 and 7 for 144 respectively. Also shown were his two bowling performances where he took 5 wickets in the first and just one in the second, his victims are also listed including how they were out -South Australia won the match by 3 wicket incidentally. His 150th match came against England in Sydney where he took just one wicket in a 10 wicket defeat, that of Bob Wyatt's.

At the end of each season's breakdown we are given averages for that season and the overall career performances up to that point.

In his final season as a Test player in 1935/6 Grimmett came into his own and together with O'Reilly destroyed the South African's, Grimmett taking 44 wickets at 14.59 apiece in the five match series, the other bowlers sharing the other 54 wickets to fall. He overtook SE Barnes' 189 Test scalps during the series and ended his Test career taking 216 wickets at 24.21 in only 37 games!

Towards the end of this book and indeed Clarrie's career, Jim has broken down every season in tabular form and includes amongst others his batting and bowling record, his performances against each opponent, Test (and first class) record on every ground and his complete bowling breakdown. I could go on but I won't. This is my first experience from the Famous Cricketers Series and I have to admit I can't wait to read many of the other profiles they have on offer.

Superb book and worth every penny. Buy It Now

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