Not Dark Yet by Mike Harfield
Not Dark Yet, not to be confused with Bob Dylan’s remarkable song in 1997 is the new book by Mike Harfield, a humourous look at the history of the Clifton Hampden rivalry that has spanned over 30 years, a tradition that continues to this day. Now go out and buy it !
Unlike ex-cricketer David Lloyd, who was lucky enough to take his copy to Sri Lanka commentating on an England tour, I had to settle to reading the book during the first Test in Jamaica between West Indies and Australia. Australia won so no worries, Sri Lanka can wait …. for now!
I have to admit the book didn’t take long to read at all such was the effortless style the author afforded the reader. I didn’t get chance to finish it on the 5th day’s play due to some on screen heroics from Clark ripping through the top order but a few days later I picked up the book and finished it in two sittings.
Not Dark Yet is a simple book, no clever sub plots, no hidden agendas, just a passionate historical account of the annual match between Mike Harfield’s XI and Clifton Hampden. The book reminded me in many ways of Gideon Haigh’s “Many A Slip” and his hysterical recollections of what life was like in club cricket, Victoria style. Just like Gideon’s offering, I was immediately taken in by the characters who year in, year out made up the 11 “players” (and like Mike I use that term loosely) that made the annual pilgrimage trying to avoid humiliation and partake in beer and well crafted teas!
Although cricket is a passion to most of us, winning isn’t always the most important factor. It’s the taking part that counts and whoever tells you different is lying!
One thing is clear, Mike Harfield is a genuine cricket nut. He appears to live and breathe cricket and as soon as one match is over, he is busy preparing for the re-match the following year. Christmas cards are sent along with reminders of the date for the next battle, up to date averages and a whole host of information. He’s either a cricket lover or should be locked up! I’ll go with the former although his family may disagree!
We follow Mike’s dedication in arranging the annual fixture, the angst of selecting an eleven and the turmoil he goes through trying to find a replacement when someone inevitably pulls out for a variety of reasons. As he moves through the decades, Mike comments on real life issues such as Millwall football chants to the Iranian national team, political commentaries on Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair.
Talking of John Major, his four year affair with Edwina Currie is compared with a really hot vindaloo, something you regret the next morning according to the author; not John Major !
So there you have it, a remarkable and funny look at life as an amateur cricket captain, atrocious umpiring decisions, bad haircuts and WAG’s! It is a must read, highly recommended and one book certain to make the rounds of your local team.
Having never heard of the team or the rivalry, the biggest compliment I can pay this book and the author is quite simple and straightforward – I want to play for Mike Harfield’s XI! Long may traditions like this continue. Now go out and buy it !
A magnificent opus, which provides a slice of social history not seen since Dickens, Wisden or Enid Blyton. It captures the sheer unadulterated pleasure of loyalty and mateship of sharing boxes and the lashings of life!
Cannot wait for the sequel! Mike Harfield will go down in the annals and should be global.
Highly enjoyable book but I was surprised that as a Dylan fan, the author didn’t work into the text Dylan’s only reference in song to the noble game:
“Crickets are chirpin”!