Whiting - Characters of Cricket

I am really pleased to be writing a few more words for the author of Cricket Banter and Characters of Cricket . The second title is very appropriate as there are some lovely characters in the world of cricket, a lot of whom have been very kind to Melanoma UK in the last few years.

If the second book is half as good as the first, I am looking forward to plenty of anecdotal evidence that will make me smile.

We are grateful to Dan and The Middle Stump team for the continued support of Melanoma UK. Melanoma continues to be a very serious issue in the UK, and through the game of cricket, we have been able to educate many people on the need for a careful approach during hot and sunny weather.

Gill Nuttall, 2015

Melanoma UK

I would like to thank the following for their help in the making of Characters of Cricket :

My kids, who are my raison dtre Rebecca, Hannah, Ben and Beth. To John Thorp, for his article on oppo speak and being an all-round good bloke for the last thirty years; Andy Nash, the Chairman of Somerset County Cricket Club, who so kindly wrote the foreword for this book; to Liam Kenna, my old partner in crime at The Middle Stump; John Cosgrove, Reckless, Pinstripe Pete, Jamie Parker, Jeff Searle, Paul Ruffhead and Neil Manvell and all the boys in Barnet; to the boys and girls of Southgate Adelaide CC in north London (if Carlsberg did cricket clubs ); Danish, Eros, Sparrow, Worthy, Greg Mackett and many more; Anthony Morris and Adam Whiting; Brian Oz Cohen; John Simpson and Gareth Berg at Middlesex CCC; to Graeme Foxy Fowler; Matt Maynard for his kind words; the Shantry brothers Adam and Jack for their wonderful stories; the legend Steve Kirby at Somerset CCC; the Headband Warrior at Yorkshire CCC, Jack Brooks; Ryan Sidebottom, a splendid ambassador for Melanoma UK; Steve Gale and Scott Ruskin at Hertford; Paul Nixon for his general bonhomie; Amy; George Berry, Gena and Ruth; Richard Whiting in Cardiff; Fred Boycott; Paul Mokler; Susan Usher; Nik Myles in Nottinghamshire, and all who have helped us via Twitter; George Dobell for his words of encouragement when starting out; Nigel Walker, Nigel Henderson and the chaps at Guerilla Cricket ; John Etheridge of the Sun ; all at The History Press; Steve James and Hugh Bateson at the Telegraph for correcting my spelling, grammar and entering into debates with us; Marcus Charman and the Cricket Family; Langwith CC; anyone and everyone who has helped promote us and for their support over the years; and all those who have bought a copy of this book.

Finally to my mum, who gave me the support and encouragement to play this wonderful game when I was a kid: without that, I wouldnt have written this book.

Gill Nuttall at Melanoma UK and all those suffering from this cruel disease this one goes out to you.

I tend to think that cricket is the greatest thing that God ever created on earth certainly greater than sex, although sex isnt too bad either.

Harold Pinter

One of the most likeable and beguiling aspects of cricket is its characters. C.L.R. James wrote:

What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?

The cast of cricketers here dont fall foul of James concern, as becomes clear pretty quickly. Here we read numerous stories that demonstrate the versatility and breadth of many cricketers interests and experiences.

Its often said that this game is a metaphor for life, and this is reflected many times in the tales of the people whove woven the tapestry of the game so many of us love. This book also examines the work of art that is the contemporary product in England and Wales. The recollections of the men and women who adorn our national summer game are rich with humour and camaraderie. Many accounts stir the soul; I found the Prince of Wales (Matt Maynard) account did just that for me. In playing with my feelings it did four things: I chuckled, it made me relive an experience, forced me to Google and to reread a eulogy, and the emotions it stirred stung my eyes. It did exactly what a good book should.

Cricket, as we followers know only too well, regularly confounds its fans and pundits. Consider this typical prose from one of Yorkshires finest:

The Aussies have spent so much time basking in the glory of the last generation that they have forgotten to plan for this one. Its just like the West Indies again; once their great names from the 1970s and 80s retired, the whole thing fell apart. The way things are going, the next Ashes series cannot come too quickly for England. What a shame that we have to wait until 2013 to play this lot again.

Geoffrey Boycott

If you take yourself too seriously, the game has the knack of returning you to earth, and often none too elegantly.

However, I am sure that Geoffrey is now aware that since his quote, the Australian team well and truly returned the English lads to earth, and with a bang!

The author, Dan Whiting, is a passionate cricket fan and finds time to chair the redoubtable Southgate Adelaide Cricket Club in Greater London, as well as trying to meet his grocery bills and match fees as a recruitment specialist in the legal profession. Dan has set out to provide a fresh and rather irreverent angle on cricket and the numbers of followers of his site, The Middle Stump, and its social media offspring, are testimony to the niche its managed to carve out. Its also of note that followers and contributors include many past and present cricketers and other notable sportsmen from near and far. These include Graeme Fowler, Matt Maynard, Jason Gillespie, Alan Mullally, Mike Gatting, Paul Nixon and many more who have all contributed to the laughs and jokes included on his web page.

This compendium of characters is a fine addition to the games history. It will bring considerable pleasure, and enhance the knowledge of all those who choose to dip into it.

I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.

Andy Nash, Chairman of Somerset County Cricket Club

2015

character

[karikter]

noun

1 the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.

2 one such feature or trait; characteristic.

3 moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honourable character.

4 qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity.

5 reputation: a stain on ones character.

Cricket is a game that attracts many characters. From the village green to the professional game whether it is that maverick amateur from your fourth eleven who always has too much to drink on a Saturday night in the clubhouse, or the bloke who the tabloid press wont leave alone there are many throughout this wonderful sport.