A Last English Summer, by Duncan Hamilton
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The one constant in English cricket is that it is going to the dogs. Observers hark back to golden ages that probably never were, and from this book's foreboding title one might assume that Duncan Hamilton, the garlanded biographer of Harold Larwood, is among them.
The self-confessed "raving sentimentalist" watched the 2009 season from the first ball bowled in the MCC v Durham fixture at Lord's – on the unfeasibly early date of 9 April – his observant, inquiring eye taking in the Ashes, county games, Lancashire League, even fabled Hambledon, and ending at Kent's St Lawrence Ground in deep September.
His passion and knowledge shine through as he decries the obsession with Twenty20 and sticks up for the Test format, yet he is convinced that cricket will survive.
"It may be true that English cricket as we know it is dying," wrote John Arlott nearly 40 years ago. But then it always has been, and this rich, nostalgic read offers hope that it can be reborn once again.
Published in hardback by Quercus, £20
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments