Cricket in Poetry: Run-Stealers, Gatlings and Graces

Cricket in Poetry tells the fascinating story of cricket's strong ties with poetry while exploring the game's history. Cricket has inspired more poetry than any other sport. Some of it is moving, some is funny and some is arch and clunky. The book delves into cricket's early days, recalling its famous matches and old-time heroes.

"As the joy of another cricket season dawns, what better time to recall some of the poetry this unparalleled sport has prompted. Bob Doran takes a well-researched canter through the history of cricket on these shores through two famous poems - Vitai Lampada by Henry Newbolt and At Lord''s by Francis Thompson... [It''s] one a cricket lover will enjoy for a few hours if rain ever stops play this summer."

"A very enjoyable read... I really enjoyed this book. I admire the author for taking the time to research it and link so beautifully the lives of two well-known 19th century poets and the development of the first-class game... The author brings the book and cricket''s links with poetry and verse of a different kind more up to date with ''Cricket, Lovely Cricket'' and the development of Caribbean cricket... As a lover of social history, literature and cricket, it absolutely hit the right notes for me and I applaud Pitch Publishing for getting it into print."

Cricket in Poetry tells the fascinating story of cricket''s strong ties with poetry.

It may be cricket''s rural origins, its slow pace or the literary ambitions of its aristocratic patrons, but the game has inspired more poetry than any other. Some of it is moving, some is funny, and some is arch and clunky. Two poems stand out: Vitai Lampada and At Lord''s. Both were penned by the sons of prosperous families. One poet, Henry Newbolt, was a toff. The other, Francis Thompson, was a religious writer and Jack the Ripper suspect. While the two were growing up, county cricket was coming of age.

The book charts the game''s early days from the countryside of the south to the industrial towns and cities of the Midlands and the north. It recalls the famous matches, W.G. Grace and Gloucestershire on their first visit to Old Trafford and the first Ashes Test. And it celebrates the heroes, from Hornby and Barlow to Ranjitsinhji and the great victory calypsos of those ''two little pals'', Ramadhin and Valentine.

• | Author: Bob Doran
• | Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd
• | Publication Date: Apr 22, 2024
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Hardback
• | ISBN-13: 9781801506922
• | ISBN-10: 1801506922