Cricket: A Modern Anthology

Jonathan “Aggers” Agnew, England’s voice of cricket, showcases some of the very best writings on the noble game, from the 1930s to the present day.

In this wide-ranging and beautifully-produced anthology, Test Match Special’s Jonathan ‘Aggers’ Agnew, chooses a wide variety of writings on the sport that has consumed his life, from the 1932/33 Ashes (Bodyline) series right up to the present day. In a series of carefully considered, thematically organised reflections, he examines the importance of their contribution to our understanding and appreciation of cricket. With input from several eminent cricketing historians, including the librarian at Lord’s, the book contains a fascinating range of material, from renowned classics to books that have hardly seen the light of day in the United Kingdom (e.g. The Hanse Cronje Story by Garth King); from overseas fiction to modern day autobiographies (Marcus Trescothick, Simon Hughes, Mike Brearley etc.) that have attained classic status. With 75 seminal cricket images, original line drawings and a comprehensive index, this book is a must-have for any self-respecting cricket fan.

Reviews

Praise for THANKS JOHNNERS:

‘A splendid book…Like TMS it is funny, fluid and conversational.’ THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

‘So good that I felt as if the radio had been surreptitiously switched on and I was, in fact, listening to Test Match Special…it is the easiest and most enjoyable of reads.’
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

About the author

Jonathan Agnew was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire and brought up on a farm in Stamford, Lincolnshire. He went to Uppingham School before becoming a professional cricketer with Leicestershire, for whom he played 218 matches. He played three Tests and three-one day internationals for England. He retired in 1990 to become cricket correspondent of Today newspaper and in 1991 succeeded Christopher Martin-Jenkins as the BBC’s cricket correspondent. Following the death of Brian Johnston in 1994 he became presenter of Test Match Special, commentating and reporting on the England cricket team around the world. In 2010 he was named Best Radio Broadcaster of the Year.