This is a wonderful essay from Paul. Very enjoyable to read, and full of insights which is typical of Paul’s writing. A couple of novels not mentioned that have strong cricket elements are Malcolm Knox’s A Private Man and Joseph O’Neill’s Netherland. Both novels are good reads and I would be interested to get Paul’s take on them (or Gideon’s or Pete’s). Joseph O’Neill’s most recent novel Godwin about recruiting footballers from Africa is superb and possibly my favourite novel that centres sport at the heart of the book. What other “cricket” novels are out there that people would recommend?
It’s a long bow, but with this article covering many and varied quizzical juxtapositions and culture clashes etc, called to mind a quote from Brian Matthews who is mentioned in this article
I didn’t know Brian, who taught at Flinders uni but my Hons supervisor was good mates with him offered a recounting of Brian’s witnessing a couple of … flash moleskin wearing city types entering a rural pub … in the course of ordering beers one audibly and very deliberately announced their presence by ‘dropping their guts’. The response of a couple of the locals who were feeling protective of their ‘hallowed turf’ was to offer in return …
‘copulatory analogies, salutes to the female pudenda and entreaties various invisible interloqutors to perform some quite amazing acts upon themselves’
Thanks to Professor Giles for allowing Gideon to share it with us.
A couple of instant reactions.
Perhaps a bit generous in regard to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on his intervention into the sandpaper incident in South Africa.
An interesting comment referenced by Rahul Dravid. I suppose he was referring to the British rule over India, though it could be possible he had in mind their Mughal predecessors. Or perhaps both.
Loved it. Thanks... and as others have said, great reading list. Had no idea of that supposed etymology of "googly", and I'm a kiwi! Looking forward to Gideon's.
A quite superb piece, and thanks so much for the reading list appended which I will endeavour to investigate. I'm not sure that Wodehouse was politically that conservative, more apolitical I think , a certain naivete led to some misjudgements yet his joyous prose continues to shine. I concur with the praise given to Joseph O'Neil's Neverland and look forward to catching up with his new novel. Being from England I have heard many times Agnew's commentary on 'The Ball of the Century' but can only recall hearing Bailey's disparaging remarks before the over started once before, the BBC being reluctant to broadcast the full conversation to protect their commentator's reputations?
I so many things to unpick. Going last first talking Richie's call of the ball of the century:
I find the juxtaposition of the actual call of the event:
"and he's done it. He's started off with the most beautiful delivery." Is, as identified, rather mundane (I am assuming it's following on from whatever they were discussing re Warne context in the lead up to the ball. I wonder if it still exists.) with the follow up:
"Getting has absolutely no idea what has happened to it, still doesn't know. He asked Kenny Palmer on the way out, and Kenny Palmer just gave him a little smile and wink"..) which is almost as iconic as the ball itself (almost doing a bit of heavy lifting here).
What a brilliant and beautifully written paper. I've read and loved both Beyond A Boundary and Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew recently and it's great to have a whole list of other books to get stuck into. Thanks Paul and Et Al!
This is a wonderful essay from Paul. Very enjoyable to read, and full of insights which is typical of Paul’s writing. A couple of novels not mentioned that have strong cricket elements are Malcolm Knox’s A Private Man and Joseph O’Neill’s Netherland. Both novels are good reads and I would be interested to get Paul’s take on them (or Gideon’s or Pete’s). Joseph O’Neill’s most recent novel Godwin about recruiting footballers from Africa is superb and possibly my favourite novel that centres sport at the heart of the book. What other “cricket” novels are out there that people would recommend?
Joseph ONeills Netherland is terrific- a great writer
A song to accompany your response, Gideon: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=UC6qFtOg5O4&si=BqGP81ElECSkueXk
It’s a long bow, but with this article covering many and varied quizzical juxtapositions and culture clashes etc, called to mind a quote from Brian Matthews who is mentioned in this article
I didn’t know Brian, who taught at Flinders uni but my Hons supervisor was good mates with him offered a recounting of Brian’s witnessing a couple of … flash moleskin wearing city types entering a rural pub … in the course of ordering beers one audibly and very deliberately announced their presence by ‘dropping their guts’. The response of a couple of the locals who were feeling protective of their ‘hallowed turf’ was to offer in return …
‘copulatory analogies, salutes to the female pudenda and entreaties various invisible interloqutors to perform some quite amazing acts upon themselves’
So much to take in and ponder.
Thanks to Professor Giles for allowing Gideon to share it with us.
A couple of instant reactions.
Perhaps a bit generous in regard to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on his intervention into the sandpaper incident in South Africa.
An interesting comment referenced by Rahul Dravid. I suppose he was referring to the British rule over India, though it could be possible he had in mind their Mughal predecessors. Or perhaps both.
Delightful read . On a similar theme for any Et Allers in the London UK are there is this event and address at UCL on Nov 10 -
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cricket-imperial-culture-and-the-remaking-of-postwar-england-tickets-1827861285309?aff=erellivmlt&keep_tld=1
Loved it. Thanks... and as others have said, great reading list. Had no idea of that supposed etymology of "googly", and I'm a kiwi! Looking forward to Gideon's.
A quite superb piece, and thanks so much for the reading list appended which I will endeavour to investigate. I'm not sure that Wodehouse was politically that conservative, more apolitical I think , a certain naivete led to some misjudgements yet his joyous prose continues to shine. I concur with the praise given to Joseph O'Neil's Neverland and look forward to catching up with his new novel. Being from England I have heard many times Agnew's commentary on 'The Ball of the Century' but can only recall hearing Bailey's disparaging remarks before the over started once before, the BBC being reluctant to broadcast the full conversation to protect their commentator's reputations?
Marvelous piece.
I so many things to unpick. Going last first talking Richie's call of the ball of the century:
I find the juxtaposition of the actual call of the event:
"and he's done it. He's started off with the most beautiful delivery." Is, as identified, rather mundane (I am assuming it's following on from whatever they were discussing re Warne context in the lead up to the ball. I wonder if it still exists.) with the follow up:
"Getting has absolutely no idea what has happened to it, still doesn't know. He asked Kenny Palmer on the way out, and Kenny Palmer just gave him a little smile and wink"..) which is almost as iconic as the ball itself (almost doing a bit of heavy lifting here).
I think it's great broadcasting - so deft, so subtle.
What a joy to wake up in a wet grey Melbourne Cup day morning to Paul's wonderful essay with the promise of Gideons reply tomorrow- many thx Paul
What a brilliant and beautifully written paper. I've read and loved both Beyond A Boundary and Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew recently and it's great to have a whole list of other books to get stuck into. Thanks Paul and Et Al!