Shaun Udal - My Turn to Spin

Rezensionen / Stimmen

Shaun Udal does not so much wear his heart on his sleeve as stake it to his forearm. He admits in this excellent helping of humble pie that he is an emotional person. It comes across as simple and sincere, the spareness of style due in part to the excellent choice of ghostwriter. The vastly experienced Pat Symes knows just how far (not very) something needs to be taken in order to make an impact. Rather like Udal's career, in a way. He has made an impact - perhaps not as much as he would have liked - on the international front, but this book sums him up perfectly. Rather than being remembered for the club ban when playing for Camberley, he should be remembered for a selfless career - and ultimately, for this book, an exemplar to every aspiring sportswoman or man who might feel the urge to commit their life story to print - David Llewellyn, The Independent. In this age of celebrity obsession, books by lesser known cricketers are becoming rare. So it was to some delight that such a tome dropped on the doormat recently by Hampshire and England spinner Shaun Udal. Udal's book is much as you would expect from a current player unable to ruffle too many feathers; a cheery tale, well ghosted by the experienced Pat Symes. It does have its moments, however, beginning rather unexpectedly with a pop at Bob Willis for some vitriolic comments and also contending that Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting should never have been made England selectors after taking the rebel rand - Steve James, Sunday Telegraph. As well as providing an insight into life in county cricket over the past two decades, the book also recounts Shaun's experiences playing for England for whom he had a late call-up at the age of 36. The popular spinner reveals something of what it's like to play with and against some of the world's greatest cricketers - the likes of Warne, Marshall, Flintoff and Tendulkar - Roger Johnson, BBC Radio Solent. It is a must read for every Hampshire fan - Simon Walter, The Daily Echo. There is a striking section when he talks of Malcolm Marshall's ambition for Hampshire when the West Indian said that representing the county at a Lord's final was 'as important as anything I ever did with the West Indies - Jeremy Wilson, The Daily Echo"A GREAT READ FOR HAWKS Shaun Udal had played the majority of his career in relative obscurity for Hampshire until England came calling in 2005 for their tour to Pakistan. It is because of these England appearances, against India as well as Pakistan, that you get the feeling My Turn To Spin was written.That is a shame as the most entertaining parts of the book are those that detail Udal's long career with Hampshire and his personal life.Udal's description of his Hampshire career is honest about both himself and his team-mates and contains praise for Shane Warne, who writes the book's foreword, and the county's chairman Rod Bransgrove amongst others.The descriptions of those who have been part of Udal's Hampshire career shed new light on the county and makes this book essential reading for those who follow their fortunes.However, non-Hampshire followers who read this book, might be put off by Udal's constant criticism of the England selectors for not picking him on a more regular basis earlier in his career. When Udal isn't bemoaning the selectors, he comes across well as a family man who turned his career around, especially during Warne's spell at the Rose Bowl. His recollection of his Indian summer with England is entertaining and readable. However, it doesn't contain the same bite as his description of his earlier career which gives you a better understanding of 'Shaggy' as both a man and a cricketer.It is for this reason the is a book worth keeping faith with as the tales of disciplinary problems in football and cricket, as well as Udal's latter years in county cricket, make it a great read for all Hampshire fansNick Hext, sporting Life. A fascinating insight into the game at all levels - Middlesex Fansite Review.