by Mayukh Ghosh
Rob Franks’ first ‘encounter’ with cricket was at Basin Reserve where his grandfather was a ‘gatekeeper’. It was New Zealand v MCC in 1963. He again visited in 1965 when Pakistan played New Zealand.
That is how it started for him. He took no time in following the fortunes of the New Zealand cricket team and, in 1973, saw a certain Richard Hadlee make his debut, once again at Wellington.
Over the years his interest in cricket has progressed into different areas. After his playing days he became a keen spectator/viewer and a collector of memorabilia. His interest in collecting books eventually led into the field of undertaking research and writing on the subject.
He likes to focus on researching topics/untold stories which have not made it into print to date and his books bear testimony to that fact.
Over the years, Rob has read and consulted thousands of cricket books and when I requested him to share his favourites, we both knew it would not be an easy job for him.
He took his time and narrowed it down to ten.
In Rob’s words: “I found it a challenge to narrow down an initial list of ‘about 20’ titles to just 10 favourites. In the end it was all about deciding which books I would go back to read again (and again). As a Kiwi living in Australia, it may not be a surprise to find my final selection leans towards choosing titles with an Australasian flavour. Here is the list. “
Silver Fern on the Veld by RT Brittenden
Penned by Dick Brittenden, the doyen of New Zealand cricket writers, this account of the Kiwi team in South Africa (and Australia) in 1953-54 is more than a tour book. In the days when a journalist could travel with the team, the pen portraits provide an interesting insight into the personalities of the touring party.
Told in an attractive and humorous way, the storyline also vividly captures the drama of Bert Sutcliffe and Bob Blair’s heroics at Johannesburg.
Field of Shadows by Dan Waddell
There are not many instantly recognisable names among the Gentlemen of Worcestershire side when the team visited Berlin in 1937. Readers soon get to know all of the key characters involved and are instantly drawn into the story.
Set in the uneasy backdrop prior to wartime, it is a lively, high quality piece of research.
The Big Ship by Gideon Haigh
It would be easy to add any of Gideon Haigh’s books to the list – every title is absorbing reading. I particularly liked the biography of Warwick Armstrong, a colossus of Australian cricket in the early twentieth century.
The author exposes a strong-willed character and also explores a formative period of cricket’s development between the Golden Age and the Bradman era.
Test of Time by John Lazenby
I enjoyed the author’s journey of discovery in retracing the footsteps of his grandfather Jack Mason on the Ashes tour of Australia in 1897-98.
A unique approach is taken in relating the story which delightfully alternates between the past and the present.
10 for 66 and all that by Arthur Mailey
A cleverly crafted autobiography of sorts written by one of the characters of Australian cricket. It is indeed a ‘literary googly’ as the blurb on the inside flap of the dust wrapper suggests.
Mailey’s amusing story is captivating and makes for entertaining reading as each page is turned.
Quilt Winders and Pod Shavers by Hugh Barty-King
A brilliantly researched social history about bat and ball manufacture in Southborough and Tonbridge.
The subject is of personal interest and led me to visit some of the places detailed in the book.
Through the Remembered Gate by Stephen Chalke
Stephen Chalke’s personal narrative of the background behind the books he wrote and published is enthralling.
I really like his individual style of writing. It is authentic, engaging and written ‘from the heart’.
The Making of New Zealand Cricket 1832-1914 by Greg Ryan
A scholarly work which explores the infant days of cricket in New Zealand, when cricket was surprisingly regarded as the national game, rather than rugby union.
A definitive and deeply-researched social history which outlines the emergence and growth of the game during a period when society began to search for a national identity.
Caught England bowled Australia by David Frith
The subtitle ‘A cricket slave’s complex story’ goes a long way to explaining everything interesting about this book.
Frith’s work is widely acclaimed and his autobiographical journey makes for fascinating reading.
(David Frith’s latest autobiography Paddington Boy is scheduled to be released in May 2021)
Currency Lads by Max Bonnell
The final selection is a biography of four Australian cricketers from Victorian times – Tom Garrett, Sammy Jones, Reginald Allen and Rowley Pope.
I particularly enjoyed the story about the elusive Sammy Jones, who was controversially run-out by the legendary WG Grace in 1882. Max Bonnell’s biographies are all thoroughly researched, and he has the knack of bringing characters from the past to life.
Rob’s books have been on interesting subjects and so has been this selection of his.
Each of the ten books he has listed is worth reading and rereading.