Freudian Slips

Brearley voices his opinions on such controversial topics as umpiring standards, helmets and bouncers, the rise of commercialism in cricket, crowd violence and cricket tours of South Africa. He is equally sharp in his appraisals of fellow cricketers, both at County and Test level. Boycott, Botham, Hadlee, Fletcher, Gower, Gooch and Gatting are among those appraised. As an outstanding captain of his generation, Brearley has always been fascinated by the art of captaincy, and this volume contains the sum of his discourses on the subject. Also included are the best of his match reports, notably his recollections of summer 1981, when he led England to victory against Australia to retain the Ashes.