Book Of The Year Award > 2010 > Cricket Grounds From The Air
CRICKET GROUNDS FROM THE AIR
Zaki Cooper and Daniel Lightman

Over the years many book have been published which focus on the cricket grounds of the U.K. Some, such as George Plumptre's "Homes of Cricket" have focussed on the history of each county ground, whilst William Powell's "Cricket Grounds: Then and Now" has looked instead at how the venues have changed over time, using a series of photographs and postcards. This volume by Zaki Cooper and Daniel Lightman combines elements of both, but focuses - as the title suggests - on a superb series of aerial photographs showing each county's grounds in their geographical setting.

Indeed, when flicking through the pages of this beautifully illustrated book, the reader is instantly left with an impression that so many of the grounds used by the first-class counties are a green oasis amidst the brick, mortar, steel and concrete of the urban agglomerations which have developed around them. The images of the Rose Bowl and those of the Riverside ground at Chester-le-Street which adorn the back cover are notable exceptions with the leafy fields of Hampshire and Durham providing a reminder of the rural origins of the game.

These images are the main strength of this most attractive book with full colour images throughout, plus smaller images - including some in monochrome - in the accompanying text. In an attempt to present a different slant to previous books, this accompanying commentary highlights some of the outstanding performances at each venue, as well as the personal memories of some of the great players who have been fortunate enough to play at these grounds. The text is well written, and there is a lot of fresh and well presented material, but whilst no fault can be found with the images, there are a few small gremlins with the text.

For example, in the Glamorgan section Paul Sheahan recalls making 137 against Glamorgan in 1972 - rather than 1968 - and how his efforts came whilst the Welsh county were recording their third successive win against Australia. How I only wish he had been right, and that on my first-ever visit to the St. Helen's ground I had seen Glamorgan emulate their feats of 1964 and 1968, rather than spending most of the day watched the rain fall. But even thirty years later, I can still remember how I looked through the rain-speckled windows, out onto the famous ground and amused myself by imaging some the great names who had played at this seaside ground and how wonderful it must have been to have witnessed their feats.

After delving through this book on several November evenings, I'm left with similar feelings about many of the other grounds in England, with the readable text and attractive images forming a rich and stimulating combination, conjuring up evocative images of county cricket at its best, and under warm, blue skies.

review by Andrew Hignell

Publisher
Myriad Books Limited,
35 Bishopsthorpe Road,
LONDON
SE26 4PA
www.myriadbooks.com
£20 (but now available at £9.99)