Tag Archives: MCC

(Part 24.) Hoping for the best. One of the things you can never accuse self-proclaimed “cricket people” of is humility. In their haughty ignorance they go on endlessly about it being the gentleman’s game—blissfully unaware, or pretending to be unaware, that the Victorian phrase has nothing to do with conduct …

When Gordon Rohlehr and Brinsley Samaroo died recently, the torrent of tributes celebrated their contributions to the world. Especially significant was the consistent references to their generosity with knowledge—the way they shared without regard for ­financial remuneration or public recog­nition. Along with the indefatigable Bridget Brereton, they have been exemplars …

One day, I received an email from someone I did not know, a cricket writer, who told me that he had just completed the first draft of a manuscript on England’s tour of the West Indies in 1954. There was a section in it that looked at the aftermath in the …

“Often the bridesmaid,” a television commentator summed up England’s performance in the 11 World Cups so far contested, “never the bride.” The comment put a broad smile on my lips. And immediately afterwards, a disturbing thought in my mind. It wiped the smile completely off. Although the evidence, in my …