Kimber is a 22nd-century cricket writer'' The Guardian Colourful cricket history meets expert analysis in this richly researched exploration of the art of batting. Most batters are trying to do their best, yet the top players are creating art. It is physically impossible to face an 80mph delivery and track it with your eyes, yet the greatest batters do more than just watch the ball, they predict where it will go. They can see into the future.This book is about the batters who see what mortals don''t. Javed Miandad purposefully made errors to manipulate the field, Sachin Tendulkar dug up a pitch to take on Warne, Shivnarine Chanderpaul was peppered by tennis balls on the beach until he created his bastardised technique and Joe Root''s great play against spin is a confluence of three random events. Others, such as Smith, Pietersen and Richards, carried on the work of a man 100 years before their time, and Ranji changed cricket with a bucket.Their methods and stories are different, but their currency is the same: runs. Through interviews with cricketing greats such as David ''Bumble'' Lloyd, Graeme Swann and Rob Key, this book shows you the science, skill and culture that made the 50 greatest batters of all time, and, ultimately, how these players conquered leather with willow.>

Autorentext

Jarrod Kimber is a Melbournian writer, commentator and analyst based in London who has had almost every job in cricket, except for playing it. Jarrod has written for ESPNcricinfo, SPIN Magazine and has built his own media network, Good Areas. If there is a cricket match on, he is probably watching it.

Klappentext

NOMINATED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025

'**a cracking read'** - David 'Bumble' Lloyd

'one of cricket's most distinctive writers' - Andy Zaltzman

THIS GROUND-BREAKING BOOK REVEALS THE SCIENCE, SKILL AND CULTURE THAT MADE THE 50 GREATEST BATTERS OF ALL TIME

Most batters just do their best, yet the top players create art. It is physically impossible to face an 80mph delivery and track it with your eyes, yet the greatest batters do more than just watch the ball, they can see into the future.

This book is about the batters who see what mortals don't: Javed Miandad purposefully making errors to manipulate the field; Sachin Tendulkar digging up a pitch to take on Warne; Shivnarine Chanderpaul practising non-stop on a beach until he mastered his technique; and Joe Root playing against spin as a result of three random events. Others, such as Smith, Pietersen and Richards, carried on the work of a man 100 years before their time, meanwhile Ranji changed cricket with a bucket.

Their methods and stories are different, but their currency is the same: runs. Through interviews with cricketing greats such as David 'Bumble' Lloyd, Nasser Hussain, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara, this book shows you the science, skill and culture that made the 50 greatest batters of all time - and, ultimately, how they conquered leather with willow.

Inhalt

Introduction

1. Evolution
2. Eyes
3. Rapid
4. Testless
5. High front elbow
6. Rag
7. Run
8. Attack
9. Peak
10. Average
11. Taxed
12. Motivation
13. Machiavelli
14. The list

15. The ball

    The top 50
    Bibliography
    Image credits
    Acknowledgements
    Index